PUBLIC WORKS TRAINEE

Code: 10937 Local Non-Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under close supervision of a supervisory official in a local government agency, as a trainee and productive worker, receives on-the-job training in the safe operation of vehicles and equipment which require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with the appropriate endorsements based upon assignments; learns various aspects of public works operations including but not limited to repair and maintenance of grounds, buildings, roads, bridges, and infrastructure systems; learns to perform routine unskilled or semi-skilled manual labor; learns applicable protocols, standards, methods, and safety precautions; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Under close supervision, as trainee and productive worker: May learn to drive a bus or van to transport students, senior citizens, or disabled individuals to and from their homes, schools, doctors' offices, supermarkets, and other local destinations; learns to operate hydraulic lift mechanisms to assist passengers confined to wheelchairs while boarding or dismounting the vehicle. May learn to perform groundskeeping maintenance and repair work including but not limited to landscaping; placing sod; trimming, feeding, bracing, spraying, fertilizing, removing, and transplanting trees and shrubs; planting and weeding flower beds; mowing grass and edging; and visually inspecting trees and shrubs for diseases/pests. May learn to perform general building maintenance and repair work including but not limited to minor electrical or plumbing repairs, painting walls and buildings, repairing fences or walls, repairing concrete stairways, repairing windows, installing doors and tiles, installing locks and doorknobs, installing window frames, installing railings, and performing basic carpentry. May learn to perform roadway maintenance and repair work including but not limited to repairing roads, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters; removing and replacing pavement; cleaning roads and removing litter; laying asphalt and mix; evening out potholes; digging ditches to prepare for road work; performing snow removal and ice control work on roads; and clearing overgrown vegetation from roadways. May learn to perform traffic maintenance and repair work including but not limited to installing traffic markings and signs; repairing guard rails, traffic poles, and signs; setting up barricades, flags, cones, and participating in work zone safety activities; and painting traffic lines. May learn to perform maintenance and repair work on water infrastructure systems including but not limited to repairing and cleaning drainage systems, repairing broken sewer lines, installing new sewer pipes, cleaning sewers and culverts, installing and repairing hydrants, building gutters, reading meters, and inspecting water systems. May learn to perform plumbing and HVAC maintenance and repair work including but not limited to unclogging sinks, food drains, toilets, etc.; cutting and fitting pipes; changing filters; cleaning condensers and foils; replacing parts on refrigeration and HVAC systems; and reporting malfunctioning thermostats, switches, and valves. May learn to perform electric and electronic maintenance and repair work including but not limited to reading blueprints, schematics, diagrams, and drawings; repairing motors, electrical circuits, fuses, and circuit breakers; running cable and wires; and programming pump control units. May learn to perform mechanical maintenance and repair work including but not limited to inspecting vehicles for proper amounts of oil and gas; ensuring tires are inflated; changing tires; examining parts on diesel equipment for defects and excessive wear; replacing lights, spark plugs, fuses, pistons, and gears; repairing valves, hydraulic pumps, and other instruments; and cleaning mufflers and tail pipes. May learn to maintain and repair bridges, including inspection for signs of damage; pouring footings; fixing surface cracks; applying protective coatings to prevent rust and corrosion; and inspecting joints to ensure they are functioning properly. Learns to safely operate and maintain hand and power tools such as chain saws, drills, trimming and brush cutting equipment, blowers, edgers, pumps, concrete mixers, jackhammers, pole shears, axes, shovels, power spray guns, drilling equipment, ladders, and recycling equipment such as can crushing machinery, glass breaking machinery, shredders, etc. Learns to safely operate and maintain vehicles and equipment such as snowplows, salt trucks, tow trucks, sanitation trucks, compactor trucks, aerial platform trucks, tractors, tractor-trailers, forklifts, front-end loaders, skid steer loaders, riding mowers, line striping motor vehicles, motor broom vehicles, etc. Learns roadway safety rules, procedures, and responsibilities. May learn to conduct inspections of taxicabs, buses, limousines, other vehicles, and/or parking lots to ensure they comply with prescribed codes/ordinances/regulations. May learn to maintain and care for turf and land areas of a regulated golf course including replacing sod, removing weeds, applying fertilizer, aerating greens, changing pin locations, and cutting roughs and fairways to the designated height. May learn to write work orders related to the repair and maintenance of motor vehicles including estimating costs and length of time for completion. Learns to transport and properly load/unload materials from vehicles. Learns to perform basic safety operations and limited first aid. Maintains cooperative working relationships with coworkers and the public. Learns to obtain, store, record, safeguard, and properly use equipment, materials, and supplies; learns to maintain inventory. Maintains essential records including receipts, trip sheets, and vehicle service documents. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements

Appointees must achieve the following milestones within one (1) year of hire: SAFETY - Follows safety procedures in performing all assigned duties. Assists with setting up safety equipment for traffic control. Notifies supervisor of any unsafe conditions prior to beginning work. SOFT SKILLS - Displays courteous and respectful behavior to others in response to their inquiries, feedback, guidance, and viewpoints to establish and maintain a positive working environment. Demonstrates empathy to ensure a mutual understanding amongst the crew members. TEAMWORK - Contributes to the team in providing ideas, information, and work effort to accomplish team goals. Builds an effective working relationship with team members.

License

Appointees must obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated within the first six (6) months after appointment to the title.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the tools and equipment used in an area of trade specialization, after a period of training. Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in an area of trade specialization, after a period of training. Ability to safely load and unload vehicles of both residents and materials. Ability to safely operate and maintain various types of vehicles, hand and power tools, and equipment. Ability to read and interpret basic blueprints and plans. Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and the public. Ability to maintain essential records. Ability to learn National Electric Code (NEC) standards. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. ADVANCEMENT: Appointees who successfully complete the twelve (12) month trainee period, including the required training units and obtain the required CDL permit within four (4) months of appointment and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated within six (6) months of appointment, will be eligible for advancement to an approved journeyman title. The inability of an employee in this title to attain the required CDL permit within four (4) months of appointment and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated within six (6) months of appointment to complete the required training units, and/or to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to an approved journeyman title shall be considered as cause for separation.

Note

Positions in this class may work in one of the Public Works Divisions or Transportation Divisions of a local government jurisdiction. The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this class specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. The inability of an employee in this title to obtain a validated CDL permit within four (4) months of appointment, shall be considered as cause for separation. The inability of an employee in this title to obtain a CDL license and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated within six (6) months of appointment, shall be considered as cause for separation. The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.