MSWUtilities Laborer

Utilities Laborer – Coal Handler

The UAF Facilities Services Utilities Department is looking for a dependable, hardworking individual to join our team as a Utilities Laborer – Coal Handler. This position performs hands-on work supporting the safe and efficient operation of the University's coal handling facilities. Primary responsibilities include shoveling, sweeping, vacuuming, and removing coal and coal dust; transporting materials; maintaining clean and safe work areas;

and assisting Utilities operations and maintenance personnel with general labor and equipment preparation. The position also assists with inspecting, cleaning, servicing, and performing light maintenance on coal handling equipment as trained and authorized. This is a physically demanding position that requires frequent climbing, bending, kneeling, standing, walking, pushing and pulling, and lifting or moving materials weighing up to 70 pounds.

Work is performed in an industrial power plant environment with exposure to coal dust, elevated noise, moving equipment, and other industrial conditions, and requires the proper use of respiratory protection and other required PPE. If you enjoy hands-on work, take pride in maintaining a safe work environment, and want to be part of the team that helps keep UAF's Utilities operations running, we encourage you to apply!

To thrive in this role, you should have knowledge of basic workplace and industrial safety practices, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the safe use of basic hand tools and equipment. You should be comfortable performing physically demanding and repetitive work, including shoveling, sweeping, vacuuming, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, kneeling, climbing, standing, and walking for extended periods. The ability to routinely lift or move materials weighing up to 70 pounds and climb multiple flights of stairs is required.

You must be able to safely work in an industrial power plant environment with exposure to coal dust, elevated noise levels, moving machinery, conveyors, rotating equipment, and elevated work areas while properly using required respiratory protection and other PPE. Successful candidates will be able to follow written and verbal instructions, equipment manuals, operating procedures, lockout/tagout requirements, and established safety practices;

recognize and report unsafe or abnormal equipment conditions; and learn plant-specific operating and maintenance procedures. The ability to work independently, follow direction, and work cooperatively as part of the Utilities operations and maintenance team is essential. Two years of experience in construction, moving, general labor, or a related field is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma/GED preferred. Basic understanding of construction principles and procedures. Valid driver's license.

Position Details:

This is a full-time, non-exempt, union-represented staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage.

Applications must be received prior to 11:55 PM Alaska time on September 13, 2026, to be considered. Applications received after this time and date may not be considered for this position. To ensure consideration, please apply prior to the review date.

If an adequate pool of applicants is not received at that time, applications will be reviewed by date received until the position is filled. This recruitment is Open Until Filled and successful submission of an application does not guarantee employment.

Salary Information: MSW4 /Step 1 $ 23.48/hr. (See Article 9.2 in the L6070 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Wage Grade Schedule).