Occ. Code 6961000

          LABORER, GRADE 6

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

Laborers perform a variety of routine manual tasks, requiring medium to heavy physical effort, to assist in maintaining, constructing, and repairing buildings, roads, offices, other structures, furniture, facilities, and grounds. They may also assist in operations by performing routine activities requiring limited or no training, such as taking tickets and giving directions, using a forklift, pallet jacks, power tools, dollies, and hand trucks.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

LABORER: labor class; performs unskilled physical work requiring limited or no training; may frequently work outdoors in inclement weather; may use hand tools and operate motor driven equipment; and may work independently or as part of a crew. Some assignments will require frequent need to move heavy supplies, equipment, and furniture.

RELATED CLASSES

          Grounds Workers perform a variety of routine manual tasks in maintaining the appearance and condition of grounds, walkways, and roads at State facilities.  Such tasks at times require medium to heavy physical effort but require little planning or special knowledge.  This class is distinguished from the Laborer class in that the latter performs routine manual duties on a variety of construction and maintenance projects requiring sustained medium and heavy physical effort in all kinds of weather.  However, many of the tasks performed are identical to those performed by Grounds Worker.  The major distinction between these two classes is often the work setting.

Maintenance Assistants perform semiskilled maintenance and repair activities in one or a combination of crafts. They generally work under the supervision of skilled journey level trades positions.

          Maintenance Helpers assist skilled and semiskilled trades positions by performing a variety of relatively unskilled tasks under direct supervision, while learning a trade.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Maintains grounds, roadways, waterways, and trails.

• Clears sites, prepares them for planting, and plants seeds, trees, shrubbery, and flowers.

• Cleans grounds, roadways, and structures by sweeping, raking, shoveling, mowing, and removing by hand debris, leaves, branches, snow, ice, trash, etc.

• Maintains areas by cutting grass, pruning plants, cutting and removing dead branches and trees, placing mulching materials and stone, and fertilizing and watering plants and grass.

• Maintains athletic fields by cutting and raking grass, replacing sod in damaged areas, and lining and preparing fields.

• Installs and maintains fences, guide rails, signs, walkways, and snow fencing.

• Mixes and applies pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

• Builds and maintains forest roads, dams, dikes, and flood structures.

• Digs and excavates ditches, paths, and water and steam lines.

Assists skilled and semiskilled trades workers by performing the more routine manual tasks of a trade.

• Cleans work areas, and lubricates and maintains machinery, equipment, gears, cables, and tools.

Moves materials to and from work sites.

• Lifts and places equipment, ladders, and scaffolds.

• Removes materials preparatory to repair and construction by using jack hammers, sanders, paint strippers, and other hand tools and equipment.

• Mixes and applies concrete, mortar, paving materials, paints, and other substances.

• Replaces fuses, light bulbs, washers, faucets, and shelves.

• Makes minor repairs to buildings and structures, such as unplugging drains, painting walls, cutting sheet metal and soldering, fixing and replacing hinges and locks, installing and repairing fences and picnic benches, and rearranging metal shelving.

• Assists in operating heating, ventilating, and air‑conditioning equipment.

Operates and maintains motorized equipment and machinery.

• Operates lawn mowers and plows to maintain grounds, parking lots, and walkways.

• Operates tractors and related equipment to plant, care for, and harvest crops.

• Operates tractors and trucks to pick up supplies and trash and to collect and deliver milk and animal feed.

• Mounts and dismounts major assemblies, such as plows and salt spreaders, and assists mechanics in removing and installing heavy items, such as engines and transmissions.

• Maintains vehicles and equipment by cleaning, changing oil, lubricating engines and mechanical systems, scraping off rust and accretions, and replacing simple parts, such as wipers, tires, and batteries.

• Assists higher level staff in operating and maintaining structures and equipment used on State waterways.

Assists in operations by performing routine, repetitive activities.

• Answers simple questions, such as the time and place of events, directions, and general information about facilities and usage.

• Collects fees and tickets for parking and special events and prepares reports of revenue and tickets collected and issued.

• Sets up and breaks down equipment for special events.

• Assists survey parties by holding leveling rod and chains.

• Controls traffic at highway maintenance projects.

• Picks up and delivers supplies and equipment.

• Patrols areas to determine damage, traffic and navigational hazards, vandalism, and condition, removes obstructions and debris, makes simple repairs, and reports needs for repairs.

• Performs general farm work, such as feeding, watering, and bedding livestock, cleaning barns, operating and cleaning milking machines and equipment, and picking, sorting, and crating fruits and vegetables.

Assembles furniture based on blueprints or schematics.

May lead volunteers, students, and inmates assigned to work crews by making assignments, distributing and accounting for equipment and supplies, demonstrating the proper methods of completing work, and supervising the on-site performance of activities and tasks.

May make frequent trips to other offices within the State.

Moves heavy supplies, furniture, and equipment.

• Loads and unloads heavy equipment, supplies, and furniture from trucks and rail cars by physically lifting items or operating a hand truck or forklift.

• Moves items to and from storerooms and/or warehouses.  May maintain storage areas.

• Assists truck drivers and motor vehicle operators in picking up and delivering items.  May drive delivery vehicles.

• Moves heavy furniture, office equipment, and records.

• Sets up and removes furniture, partitions, and equipment for office moves, conferences, meetings, and special events.

• Delivers forms and supplies to various offices.

• Assists in the receiving and shipping of various office materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

There are no education or experience qualifications for this class. Laborers must be physically able to perform the duties assigned.  When required to operate motor vehicles, candidates must possess a valid New York State Drivers License appropriate for the type of vehicle operated.

Rev: 6/17

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.