Laborer

Laboring

WG-3502

Position Overview

DOI sites and facilities, from scenic Parkways to campgrounds to buildings, need skilled Laborers to facilitate both daily operations and special projects of all sizes.  These dedicated and hard-working employees help clear or repair trails, move furniture or equipment, keep grounds looking neat and orderly, and stock materials for storage.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is dependable, able to concentrate while operating machinery, and can follow instructions and safety requirements while performing physically strenuous work.

Work Environment

Work is physically strenuous and performed both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather involving the need for protective clothing/equipment and potential exposure to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, fumes, temperature and weather extremes, and potential injury.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Washing and waxing cars and trucks
    • Lifting and carrying tools, materials and packages
    • Picking up litter from grounds, raking leaves, pulling weeds, watering grass

  • Mid:

    • Moving supplies by hand, handtruck, or dolly
    • Operating basic hand tools and power equipment
    • Moving furniture

  • Journey:

    • Breaking up pavement, soil or concrete
    • Mixing and pouring loads of concrete or asphalt
    • Digging ditches and trenches using pick and shovel
    • Clearing brush and fallen logs from trails

  • Senior:

    • Constructing rock retaining walls or installing plants using a design plan
    • Trimming trees and shrubs, stacking logs
    • Operating lawn mowers, snow blowers, and power equipment with specialized attachments
    • Planning work to be completed by team

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Strengths by Level

Entry 1-2
Mid 3-4
Journey 5-6
Senior 7-8
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Entry 1-2
    Mid 3-4
    Journey 5-6
    Senior 7-8
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Entry 1-2
    Mid 3-4
    Journey 5-6
    Senior 7-8
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Entry 1-2
    Mid 3-4
    Journey 5-6
    Senior 7-8
  • Physical Strength and Agility
    Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.
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    Entry 1-2
    Mid 3-4
    Journey 5-6
    Senior 7-8
  • Self-Management
    Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
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    Entry 1-2
    Mid 3-4
    Journey 5-6
    Senior 7-8
  • Stamina
    Exerts oneself physically over long periods of time without tiring (which may include performing repetitive tasks such as data entry or coding).
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    Entry 1-2
    Mid 3-4
    Journey 5-6
    Senior 7-8
  • Teaching Others
    Helps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback; coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor.
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    Entry 1-2
    Mid 3-4
    Journey 5-6
    Senior 7-8
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Entry 1-2
    Mid 3-4
    Journey 5-6
    Senior 7-8

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

46.2%

Custodial Working

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30.8%

Engineering Technician

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7.7%

Maintenance Mechanic

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Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."