Milwaukee Public Schools is actively recruiting qualified candidates for the Building Laborer position.
A Building Laborer assists skilled trades workers (carpenters, masons, plumbers, sheet metal workers, etc.) in demolition and various activities. Removes, resurfaces and repairs playgrounds, parking lots, hard surface areas, etc. Installs fencing and erects scaffolding. Delivers equipment, construction materials, etc. to work sites. Participates in snow removal and salting operations. Performs various landscaping activities including but not limited to; leveling grades, planting and trimming grass, trees, bushes, shrubs, etc. Operates various trucks and construction equipment such as dump trucks, front loaders, back hoes, cranes, hi-rangers snowplows, etc.
Applications for Building Laborer are being accepted by the Office of Human Resources through Thursday, April 2, 2026. All applicants must upload the following items to the application:
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A current resume
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Laborer Journeyman Certification (as applicable)
If you are unable to electronically attach these documents, please email them to Cassandra Morales-Salcedo at morac2@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
The Building Laborer hourly wage is $39.37 per hour.
Interested applicants should complete all sections of the application including the online submission of a current resume and valid Journeyman certifications/licenses.
Applications for the following position are being accepted by the Office of Human Resources through Thursday, April 2, 2026. No applications or application materials will be accepted after the deadline date.
If you are (or your spouse is) a military veteran, please also attach a copy of your/your spouse's DD214 form.
Appointment is subject to a criminal background check, a drug/alcohol test and credential verification. ;
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Eligible applicants MUST have the following:
Education Requirements:
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High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
Certifications and Licensing Requirements: ;
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Valid State of Wisconsin Motor Vehicle operator's license and availability of properly insured personal vehicle at time of appointment and throughout employment.
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Must have or be able to obtain a valid Commercial Driver's License, Class A (CDL) within 6 months of appointment and throughout employment.
Experience Requirements: ;
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Two years of experience as Construction Laborer at the Journey level assisting skilled trade workers in the performance of duties related to the essential functions listed above.
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OR
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Minimum of four years of ;prior experience as follows:
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4 out of these 7 skills:
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Assists skilled trades workers (carpenters, masons, plumbers, sheetmetal workers, etc.) in demolition and various activities
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Remove, resurface and repair playgrounds, parking lots, hard surface areas, etc.
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Installs fencing and erects scaffolding
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Delivers equipment, construction materials, etc. to work sites.
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Participates in snow removal and salting operations.
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Performs various landscaping activities including but not limited to; leveling grades, planting and trimming grass, trees, bushes, shrubs, etc.
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Operates various trucks and construction equipment such as; dump trucks, front loaders, back hoes, cranes, hi-rangers snowplows, etc.
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5 out of these 11 skills
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Assist in material transport and job setup for masons, plasterers, carpenters, sheet metal workers, roofers, electricians, steam fitters and plumbers.
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Construct, repair and maintain concrete and asphalt surfaces, including floors, walks, aprons and playgrounds.
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Erect, repair, maintain, modify and remove fencing.
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Erect and remove scaffolding and swing stages.
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Grade construction sites and excavate for foundations.
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Dig trenches and ditches for underground utilities; water, electric, plumbing, etc.
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Operate various trucks and construction equipment such as dump trucks, front loader/back hoes, cranes, hi-rangers snow plows, etc.
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Landscape grounds, prepare subgrade, lay sod and trim/prune shrubs, trees, etc.
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Perform demolition using standard demolition tools and equipment including the use of oxy-acetylene cutting torches, remove construction debris and barriers, and clean construction sites.
Note: Previous experience as an operations or maintenance worker will not be considered toward the experience requirement.
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Assist in material transport and job setup for masons, plasterers, carpenters, sheet metal workers, roofers, electricians, steam fitters and plumbers.
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Construct, repair and maintain concrete and asphalt surfaces, including floors, walks, aprons and playgrounds.
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Erect, repair, maintain, modify and remove fencing.
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Erect and remove scaffolding and swing stages.
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Grade construction sites and excavate for foundations.
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Dig trenches and ditches for underground utilities; water, electric, plumbing, etc.
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Operate various trucks and construction equipment such as dump trucks, front loader/back hoes, cranes, hi-rangers snow plows, etc.
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Landscape grounds, prepare subgrade, lay sod and trim/prune shrubs, trees, etc.
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Perform demolition using standard demolition tools and equipment including the use of oxy-acetylene cutting torches, remove construction debris and barriers, and clean construction sites.
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Respond to afterhours emergencies as necessary.
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Support the MPS strategic plan.
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Perform other job-related functions as assigned.
THE SELECTION PROCESS: will be job-related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral or performance tests; or other assessment methods. The Office of Human Resources reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.
The Milwaukee Public Schools does not discriminate in its programs, activities, facilities, employment, or educational opportunities on the basis of a person's sex, race, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability.
In accordance with Wisconsin Statutes, every applicant for a position with Milwaukee Public Schools will be subject to the open records law. ; Any applicant not wishing to have his/her identity released must submit a written statement to that effect to the Department of Human Capital. ; The identities of all "final candidates" may be released. ; Milwaukee Public Schools reserves the right to interview the best qualified candidates.
Certifications and Licensing Requirements: ;
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EPA Asbestos Abatement Certification (O&;M) within 6 months of appointment. (certification level upon discretion of supervisor) ;Note 1 ;
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Lead Safe Renovator Certification within 6 months of appointment. (certification level upon discretion of supervisor) Note 1 ;
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Scaffolding ;Hazard Awareness (User and Erector) ;Certification within 6 months of appointment. ;Note 1 ;
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OSHA Excavation Competent Person ;Certification within 1 year of appointment. Note 1 ;
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Pesticide applicator Turf and Landscape Commercial category 3.0 certification within 1 year of appointment Note 1
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Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) or Forklift Training Certification within 6 months of appointment. ;Note 1
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Fall Protection Competent Person Training Certification within 6 months of appointment. Note 1 ;
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Completion of DFMS Maintenance and Repair Staff New Hire EHS Orientation Training Note 2
Note 1: Training and/or testing will be provided by MPS, but employees must obtain the certification within the time allotted. ;
Note 2: Training modules assigned on the MPS Learning Management System (LMS).
Working Environment and Physical Demands
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Ability to work mandatory overtime hours as required, whether given advanced notice, or called-in to perform emergency duties
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Exposure to dust, dirt, general construction debris, hazardous materials, etc. that may require the use of respiratory protection and fit testing.
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Exposure to loud noises that may require the use of hearing protection devices and annual testing.
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Exposure to confined spaces that may require special rigging, harnessing, etc.
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Work at heights on various types of support equipment that may require special harnessing and fall protection equipment.
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Roof work that may require special fall protection equipment, such as personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).
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Essential physical requirements, such as climbing, standing, stooping, crawling, etc.
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Ability to climb and work at heights at or above 100 feet in all weather conditions.
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Ability to move objects weighing up to 100 lbs. and lift objects weighing up to 70 lbs.