City Laborer - Public Works
Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States of America
Full Time
1 day ago
$32,000 - $40,000 USD
Key skills
Communication
About this role
Join the City of Chattanooga Team
Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation’s first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network. The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City,” the first of its kind in the United States.
Our Organization
As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:
- Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
- Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
- Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
- Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
- Innovation: Leading-edge smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.
Why Choose Chattanooga?
The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:
- Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
- Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .
- Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
- The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground: Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it. As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim. Whether you are an
- adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
- Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
- Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
- Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.
In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.
Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.
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Salary: GS.03N $16.72 - $20.20 per hour
Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 A.M. – 3:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments, or projects.*
Work Location: 900 E 11th Street Chattanooga, TN 37403 (Paul F. Clark Building)
FLSA Status: This is a Non-Exempt position.
Department: Public Works
SERIES LEVEL:
The City Laborer is a stand-alone classification in the Department of Public Works.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)
Performs assorted public works duties such as sweeping sidewalks and streets, blowing and raking leaves and collecting/picking up brush, garbage and recycling materials.
May participate in seasonal work such as ice and snow removal.
May perform various duties such as operating leaf blowers to remove leaves from various structures/landscapes, sweeping sidewalks and entryways.
May perform various duties in stowing scrap metal, delivering and retrieving vehicles from privately operated shops and picking up parts, supplies and mail.
May perform various duties in the cleaning and maintenance of various City facilities, buildings and landscapes including cleaning restrooms, sweeping and mopping of flooring, vacuuming, carpet cleaning, operating specialized cleaning equipment, washing windows, removing trash and litter, collecting recycle.
May operate various hand and power tools requiring no special training or skill and minor equipment maintenance.
May be required to use, carry and answer their cell phone as determined by their job duties and the department head.
Must meet regular attendance requirements.
Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.
Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
Performs other duties as assigned.
This position is deemed essential during inclement weather situations, and must report to or remain at work, even when administrative closings are announced, as determined by the Department Head.
DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):
When working in Facilities:
May set up and breakdown tables and chairs for scheduled meetings.
May maintain dumpster enclosures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Work requires the ability to read and understand written instructions, to understand simple processes, and the routine operation of power tools and/or small maintenance equipment/machines. High School Diploma or GED preferred, but not required or any combination of equivalent experience and education.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid driver's license may be required depending on assignment.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of construction, grounds or buildings maintenance principles and practices; applicable equipment, materials and tools used in construction, grounds or building maintenance activities and safe work practices. Skill in following oral and written instructions; performing routine maintenance and construction tasks; operating and maintaining applicable construction, grounds and building maintenance equipment and tools and communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT VARIES DEPENDENT ON ASSIGNMENT:
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gasses, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, work space restrictions, intense noises and travel.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: Y
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check / drug screening / lift test
The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
KJS 07.01.2026