Laborer

Job Posted 4/17/2025

Brainerd Public Utilities

Brainerd, MN 56401

United States

Job Description

Salary : $52,665.60 - $62,691.20 Annually
Location : Brainerd, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 20250415
Department: Brainerd Public Utilities
Opening Date: 04/15/2025
Closing Date: 4/29/2025 4:30 PM Central

General Definition of Work

Performs work on a wide variety of manual tasks of a nature requiring some skill or special knowledge acquired through work experience including tasks for all BPU facilities and assisting BPU crews in the field. Work is performed under the general supervision of the assigned BPU Department Supervisor.

Please note:

2025 Hiring Range: $25.32 - $28.21 per hour depending on qualifications.

2025 Pay Range: $25.32 - $30.14 per hour.

*2025 Performance based pay opportunity: Up to $33.75 per hour.

*The City of Brainerd utilizes a performance-based pay system as noted above. Our system provides an opportunity for additional pay steps based on merit. Contact the HR Department if you would like to learn more about our system.

Essential Functions

Performs unskilled to limited-skilled duties in the construction, alteration, maintenance, and repair of BPU facilities and systems.
Performs a variety of maintenance activities including but not limited to custodial, groundskeeping, and building maintenance duties.
Assists as a laborer in all BPU departments.
Assists in the maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment as requested.
May assist in reading utility meters.
Performs related tasks as assigned.

Qualifications and Competencies

Good working knowledge of cleaning methods, materials and equipment; methods, tools, and equipment used in repair and maintenance work including carpentry and plumbing.
Ability to understand hazards associated with a variety of cleaning supplies.
General knowledge of grounds keeping methods, simple horticulture practices and proper use of related equipment and tools.
General knowledge of building utilities, electrical and mechanical plant operations.
Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards of the work and necessary safety precautions to comply with BPU and OSHA safety requirements.
Ability to operate forklift.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with customers, co-workers, supervisors and the public.

Education, Experience and Special Requirements:

High school diploma or GED.
Minnesota Class A commercial driver's license with tanker endorsement or ability to obtain within one year of hire.
Three years of facilities and grounds maintenance experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Forklift Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Other Requirements and Supplemental Information

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 25 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work requires standing, walking and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires speaking or hearing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work requires standard, close, and distance vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas; operation of motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions including exposure to extreme hot and cold; work is generally in a moderate noise location (business office with office equipment and light traffic).
Compensation
Compensation rates are governed by the City's Salary Administration Plan or applicable labor contract. Information regarding the City's pay program is available in the Human Resources Department.

Holidays
The 10 calendar holidays that are observed are as follows: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and Friday following, and Christmas Day. Employees also received one additional "floating" holiday of their choice.

Vacation
Vacation is earned at the rate of 6.67 hours per month (2 weeks per year) for the first 5 years of employment. After the first five years, monthly accrual rate is increased annually per the union contract or Employee Policy Manual. Maximum vacation balance is 240 hours. Vacation is accrued, but generally not available for use, for the first six months of employment.

Sick Leave
Sick leave is earned at a rate of 8 hours per month with a maximum sick balance of 960 hours. Payout of 100% of sick leave balance allowed as severance if immediately eligible to draw PERA pension or due to a written doctor-verified disability.

Health Insurance

Health Insurance - Blue Cross Blue Shield is our current health insurance provider. Coverage is effective the 1st of the month following the date of hire. We currently offer four High Deductible Health Insurance plans (HDHP):

Plan 1 is a $3,300 single/$6,600 family deductible policy. The employee pays 5% of the single premium with the 2025 monthly cost being $74.25 per month. The employee pays 20% of the family premium or $501.40 per month.
Plan 2 is a $1,650 single/$3,300 family deductible policy. The employee pays 5% of the single premium with the 2025 monthly cost being $82.85 per month. The employee pays 20% of the family premium or $559.80 per month.
Plan 3 is a $6,300 single/$12,600 family deductible policy. The employee pays 3% of the single premium with the 2025 monthly cost being $37.56 per month. The employee pays 15% of the family premium or $317.25 per month.
Plan 4 is a $8,300 single/$16,600 family deductible policy. The employer pays 100% of the single premium. The employee pays 10% of the family premium or $194.70 per month.

NOTE: For all four of the above HDHP, the employee also receives an additional annual employer HSA contribution based on which plan and coverage level is elected (amount will be prorated and deposited in monthly increments) into the employee's Health Savings Account.

Dental/Optical Insurance
Dental and optical insurance benefits are available.

Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability
An employer paid $35,000 life insurance and long-term disability insurance policy is provided by the City the 1st of the month following the initial-six months waiting period of eligibility.

Retirement Plan
Retirement benefits are provided through the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA). The 2025 EMPLOYEE contribution rate is 6.5%. The 2025 EMPLOYER contribution rate is 7.5%.
01

Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

02

Do you have a High School Diploma or general education degree (GED)?

03

Which of the following currently apply to you? (Check all that apply)

Possess a Forklift Certification
Ability to obtain a Forklift Certification within six months of hire
Possess a MN driver's license
Possess a MN Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
Possess a tanker endorsement
Ability to obtain a MN Class A Commercial Driver's License with a tanker endorsement within one year of hire

04

Do you have three (3) or more years of facilities and/or grounds maintenance experience?

05

If you responded "Yes" to the previous question, please list the name of the employer, the title you held, the dates you were employed at said employer, and a brief description of your duties there.Please type "N/A" if this does not apply to you.
06

Do you have any utility construction, alteration, maintenance and/or repair experience?

07

If you responded "Yes" to the previous question, please list the name of the employer, the title you held, the dates you were employed at said employer, and a brief description of your duties there.Please type "N/A" if this does not apply to you.
08

Do you have wastewater treatment, water treatment or other facility plant work experience?

09

If you responded "Yes" to the previous question, please list your facility/plant maintenance work experience, job duties, name of the employer, and the title you held.Please type "N/A" if this does not apply to you.
10

Please explain why you are interested in this position and what makes you a strong candidate.If none, type "N/A".
Required Question