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 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.

Harris County Flood Control District is seeking a qualified candidate for the role of Laborer. 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.

• Cut and chop weeds and other types of vegetation using gasoline-powered equipment such as weed eaters and 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.

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent

• One (1) year in landscaping, vegetation maintenance, herbicide application, labor work, or a closely related field

• 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.

• Knowledge of bayou, drainage area, and rights-of-way maintenance, including, but not limited to, application of various herbicides, cutting and clearing brush, and debris removal. (preferred)

• Regular | Full-Time | Non-exempt
• 40 hours per week
• Salary:
  To be discussed at interview

• Facilities Maintenance | 7522 Prairie Oak Drive Houston, TX 77086
• 5301 Almeda Genoa Rd., Houston, TX 77048

• 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.
• Occasi…