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Laborer I
Position Description
About Harris County Flood Control District:
The Flood Control District has the mission to reduce the risk of flooding in Harris County, the third most populated county in the United States, with a population in excess of 4.7 million, including the City of Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city. The Flood Control District has jurisdiction over the primary stormwater facilities in the county, which consist of approximately 1,500 channels totaling nearly 2,500 miles in length, as well as more than 60 regional stormwater detention basins, totaling more than 10,000 acres and several wetlands mitigation banks including Greens bayou.What you will do at Harris County Flood Control District:
Reporting to the Crew Leader, the Laborer is responsible for operating gasoline-powered equipment and various hand tools used in the daily operation of maintaining clear channels, drainage elements, and rights of way in accordance with the District’s mission to maintain the Infrastructure.
Essential Functions and Duties:
Vegetation Cutting & Removal
- Cut and chop weeds and other types of vegetation using gasoline-powered equipment such as weed eaters, non-powered hand tools such as machetes, axes, or tree trimmers.
- Remove and stack cut vegetation in, along, and around channels, drainage elements, and rights-of-way using hand rakes or pitchforks.
- Load or assist in loading cut vegetation and refuse into trash trucks for removal to the dump site with or without power or hand tools.
- Clear rights of way of trees, rocks, and any other large obstacles.
- May enter the channel in water up to three feet in depth or from the bank to dislodge and remove drifts and debris (trees, limbs, brush, vines, trash, and refuse) that impede water flow around and under bridges or other areas.
- Spray herbicides on selected weeds and grasses using filled backpacks that weigh between 25 and 30 pounds.
- Perform preventive maintenance on tools and equipment, such as using a file to sharpen machetes, axes, and shovels, changing line cords for weed eaters, checking fluid levels in gasoline-powered equipment, and cleaning and replacing air filters, etc.
- Report necessary replacement or repair of defective equipment to the supervisor.
- Utilize safety wear equipment as specified by the District and dictated by each job assignment performed.
- Assume additional responsibilities as required, adapting to the District's evolving demands, responsibilities, needs, and objectives.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
- High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent
Experience:
- One (1) year in landscaping, vegetation maintenance, herbicide application, labor work, or a closely related field
Licensure:
- Valid Class "C" Texas Driver’s License
- Good verbal & written communication skills.
- Can effectively communicate with coworkers and the public.
- Must be able to read and follow written instructions.
- Work well in an outdoor setting.
- Work well with a team in a field environment.
- Work independently with limited supervision, relative autonomy, and general review.
- Be a self-starter; assume ownership in completing assigned tasks.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:
-
Knowledge of bayou, drainage area, and rights-of-way maintenanc,e including, but not limited to, application of various
herbicides, cutting and clearing brush, and debris removal. (preferred)
General Information
Position Type, Hours and Salary:
- Regular | Full-Time | Non-exempt
- 40 hours per week
- Salary: To be discussed at interview
Locations:
- Facilities Maintenance | 7522 Prairie Oak Drive Houston, TX 77086
Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Frequent walking up and down steep slopes of ditches or on rough and uneven surfaces or ground such as sloping terrain, plowed or furrowed areas or construction sites.
- Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying of items up to 20 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
- Occasional driving of vehicles with automatic and four-wheel drive controls.
- Occasional ascending and descending stairs.
- 100% of duties are performed outdoors where there will be routine exposure to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture, air pollution, wind, and dust.
- May be exposed to vegetation retardants, herbicides and fertilizers, petroleum products including but not limited to gasoline, oil, grease, diesel and other fuels and lubricants, snakes, wildlife, wasps, bees and other flying or walking insects, aquatic bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, and vibration or noise in excess of 85 decibels.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave*
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule*
- METRO RideSponsor Program*
- Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
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