Report

Laborer (Hourly) - Seasonal*

Salary

$43k

Location

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

JobType

part-time

About the job

Info This job is sourced from a job board

Overview

About the role

About the Department

The City of Madison is hiring for multiple entry-level, manual work positions for our 2026 spring, summer, and fall seasons! Seasonal employment can be a step towards a permanent career with the City! The selected candidates will work for one of the City's Public Works agencies, including Parking, Parks, Streets, Traffic Engineering, and the Water Utility. It is anticipated that the following number of seasonal laborers will be hired by division: Parking Utility (4); Parks (38); Streets (17); Traffic Engineering (5); and Water Utility (5). For a period of six (6) months following completion of seasonal employment, seasonal employees retain the ability to apply for permanent positions that include benefits and pension (Wisconsin Retirement System) that are otherwise limited to City employees.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE CLOSING DATE. HOWEVER, THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BEGIN PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF CITY AGENCIES.

Applicants will be asked at the time of application to rank their preferred position based on the descriptions below. Following initial screening, applicants will be referred to the appropriate agency for interview based on the indicated preferences. We will try to accommodate everyone's first choice, but this is not guaranteed. Once hired, applicants will only work in that specific agency.

Following the initial round of hiring, applicants who are not selected will remain active on the eligible list and may be referred to any agency as vacancies occur.

These positions are seasonal, but months of work may vary by agency. Hours will also vary by agency and no work hours are guaranteed. Individual descriptions are below.

The hourly wage consists of a base wage of $18.57 per hour plus a $2.50 per hour bonus.

To learn more about seasonal opportunities, watch this video.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Position Duties

Parking Division

Employees assist in parking meter installations; general light maintenance duties for parking garages, lots, and street metered stalls, including painting ramp islands; removing and reinstalling stall lines on street; and mowing, garage, and lot clean up.

Anticipated Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm

Duration: Through August/September

Parks Division - General

Employees maintain park shelters by performing janitorial duties; clean and stock supplies; remove garbage; dig, lift, shovel, and carry and haul heavy equipment and tools to perform duties; perform a variety of landscape and building maintenance tasks; mow grass; string trim; rake; paint; perform tree maintenance; and perform other related duties in and around City parks. General Parks work opportunities also may include Forest Hill Cemetery, State Street/Mall Concourse, or Construction for playground maintenance.

Anticipated hours of work will vary in each section of the Parks Division and may depend on the time of year. Generally, start times are early morning (5:00 am - 7:00 am). Work is performed 7 days a week, including holidays. Employees may be scheduled and expected to work various weekends and holidays. In the event of inclement weather, no work may be available. Work hours are NOT guaranteed. Part-time hours may be available.

Duration: Approximately April to October

Parks Division - Golf Course

If you are specifically interested in working as a Golf Course Maintenance Seasonal, please apply to the separate Golf posting.

Streets Division

Employees perform a variety of tasks such as collect, lift and load various solid waste materials (e.g., refuse, bulk, brush, recyclables, and leaves); perform routine asphalt and concrete patching; perform snow and ice removal work using hand tools and snow removal vehicles and equipment; routine building maintenance; and related duties as assigned.

Anticipated Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, but hours may vary.

Duration: Beginning of April through the end of November.

Possible overtime opportunities available nights and weekends.

Traffic Engineering Division

Employees perform a variety of tasks such as painting traffic islands, speed bumps, arrows, bike stencils, and crosswalks; assist with the installation and/or maintenance of signs, semi-permanent road markings, traffic signals, and street lighting; miscellaneous maintenance and material preparation activities in the shop; and perform other duties as assigned. Work may include operating trucks with trailers, digging holes, pouring concrete, and operation of small motorized equipment. In the event of inclement weather, work may NOT be available. Work hours are NOT guaranteed.

Anticipated Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm

Duration: Approximately the end of May through the end of August.

Water Utility

Employees perform a variety of tasks in the Water Utility's Distribution Section, including operating valves and hydrants; assisting other employees in system flushing operations; mowing lawns, trimming, pruning, and raking; and painting hydrants. Work may also include operating trucks with trailers, assisting with our Water Wagon set up, staffing for events, and tear down.

Anticipated Hours: 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Additional opportunities for evening and weekend work, as needed.

Duration: Mid-May through end of November based on applicants' availability; may be extended if needed.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants will be considered for these positions. Depending on the number of applications, random selection may be used to determine who will proceed to the interview process.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.

Other Qualifications

Possession of a valid driver's license at the time of interview.

Streets Division Laborer Seasonal Position Only:

Positions will be trained to obtain a Class B Wisconsin Commercial Driver's License (CDL). A condition of continued employment is obtaining a Class B Wisconsin CDL within 90 days after the start date of employment.

Physical Requirements:

All employees in these positions must have the ability to lift and move objects weighing as much as 50 pounds.
Laborers in Streets must be able to lift 100 pounds without assistance on occasion and must be able to lift 50 pounds repetitively.
Laborers in Traffic Engineering will have to lift items weighing up to 75 pounds (such as a 5 gallon paint bucket) and will be required to work from a ladder, with arms overhead, and in high traffic areas. They must also have the ability to manually load, unload, and operate/maneuver a crosswalk machine weighing up to 400 pounds.
Laborers at the Water Utility will have to lift and maneuver objects weighing between 50 and 90 pounds.
All employees are expected to perform heavy manual labor work for extended periods of time in variable weather conditions.
Work may involve walking over uneven surfaces, reaching, climbing, kneeling, and stooping.

*The payroll titles for these seasonal Laborer positions in the Streets Division is Street and Sewer Maintenance Worker 1 (Hourly), and the title for other positions is Laborer (Hourly).

About the company

Municipal government offering seasonal labor opportunities in public works and parks

Skills

customer service