Laborer - Parks Division

The City of East Providence is a vibrant municipality committed to fostering a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for its residents and visitors. With a strong focus on community well-being and municipal upkeep, the city's Department of Public Works plays a critical role in maintaining the city's parks, fields, and other public properties. The city values diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability. East Providence prides itself on providing a supportive and collaborative work environment for its employees, who play a vital role in enhancing public spaces that contribute to the quality of life in the city.

The City of East Providence is currently seeking to fill the position of Laborer - Parks within its Department of Public Works under the United Steel Workers 15509 union. This position comes with a competitive salary ranging between $46,174.34 and $54,542.72 annually, classified under pay grade 30. Reporting to an Assistant Superintendent and working closely with a Leadworker or other supervisory personnel, the chosen candidate will be responsible for performing a variety of manual labor tasks focused on the maintenance and cleaning of city parks and fields, as well as other city-owned properties. This role involves both routine maintenance work as well as special operations, including participation in snow removal during emergencies.

As a Laborer in the parks division, your responsibilities will include cutting grass, raking fields, weed whacking, emptying trash barrels, maintaining athletic fields, painting lines on the fields, unlocking gates, replacing basketball nets, and pumping fields after bad weather. The role also demands physical labor related to aeration, seeding, fertilization, top dressing, and thatching to ensure the parks and recreational areas are well cared for and ready for public use. Snow removal duties include clearing snow manually or with trucks from streets and sidewalks adjacent to public buildings and parks, as well as sanding or salting icy pavements to ensure public safety.

Given the physical demands and the nature of the work, candidates must have sufficient strength to handle the use of various hand tools and equipment including shovels, pry bars, sledgehammers, jackhammers, and wrenches. The ability to lift and move objects weighing 40-50 pounds is essential. The position also requires that the Laborer set up and take down equipment, traffic signs, barricades, and other city property as needed.

It is essential for applicants to possess a Class B Commercial Driver's License with air-brake endorsement and a Hoisting Engineer License. Additionally, candidates must obtain a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Pesticide License within one year of hire. The candidate must also be prepared to work overtime during emergencies, demonstrating flexibility and dedication to maintaining city services under various conditions.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for individuals seeking to make a tangible impact on their community through hands-on work outdoors. The role demands a strong work ethic, ability to follow oral and written instructions, reliability, and the capability to work independently as well as part of a team. The City of East Providence encourages applicants who are ready to take on a physically challenging yet rewarding role to apply by the deadline of Friday, May 15, 2026.

Selected candidates will be required to pass a Background Criminal Investigation (BCI), physical examination, and drug screening as part of the hiring process. The city emphasizes safety, quality service, and community pride, making this Laborer position not just a job, but a chance to contribute meaningfully to the stewardship of East Providence's cherished public spaces.