Salary : $48,623.38 Annually
Location : Multiple Locations, Madison, WI
Job Type: PERMANENT FULL TIME
Job Number: 2026-00233
Department: Streets & Urban Forestry
Opening Date: 08/03/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 11:59 PM Central
Comp. Group/Range: 15/02
General Description
The City is seeking motivated and dependable individuals to join our Public Works team as Laborers within the Streets and Parks Divisions. This entry-level position involves performing a variety of manual labor tasks related to the maintenance and repair of public infrastructure, including streets, parks, and public facilities. Responsibilities include operating light equipment, using hand and power tools, performing grounds and building maintenance, and assisting with the upkeep of tools, equipment, and facilities. Work is carried out independently or as part of a team under the guidance of a leadworker or supervisor. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who enjoy hands-on work that directly supports the community.
Hours of work: 40 hours per week. Work is generally performed in eight (8) hour shifts between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Start and end times may vary by season based on operational needs.
Work location can vary throughout the year.
Current recruitment is to fill three (3) vacant positions
An eligible list will be created from this recruitment to fill any future vacancies that may occur in this classification in the next six (6) months
Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the .
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.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
Grounds and Facilities Maintenance
- Mow, trim, and remove debris from the public right-of-way.
- Establish and maintain ice skating rinks.
- Remove snow and ice from alleyways, carriage lanes, bike and walking paths, sidewalks, parking lots, bus stops, etc.
- Remove trash from medians, parks, boulevards, and assigned routes.
- Prune and assist with removal of trees and shrubs using chainsaws and various hand tools.
- Collect and clean up leaf and yardwaste, and apply mulch in the fall and spring.
- Perform curbside brush collection operations.
- Serve as public drop-off site Attendant.
- Maintain trees, shrubs, and flower beds by planting, weeding, watering, mulching, deadheading, and pruning.
Equipment, Facilities, and Work Space Maintenance
- Perform preventative maintenance of mowers.
- Maintain clean and safe work area in the field, shop, work, and common areas of maintenance facilities.
- Clean equipment and vehicles as needed.
- Transport equipment and vehicles.
- Report damages and/or repairs to supervisor or mechanic, as appropriate.
Other Duties
- Report any maintenance or safety related issues to leadworker or supervisor in a timely manner.
- Perform maintenance tasks in any of the following areas: Public right-of-way, including streets, alleys, carriage lanes, and medians, as well as Public Works maintenance yards and drop-off facilities; and Parks properties including golf courses, mall/concourse, cemetery, conservation parks, general parks, and botanical gardens.
- Maintain picnic tables, benches, and hockey boards.
- Drive tractor and hay wagon for fall hayrides and special events.
- Set-up and prepare for special events within Parks.
- Assist with solid waste collection.
Perform other related work as required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Three (3) months of experience as a City of Madison seasonal laborer and eligible for rehire.
OR
- Six (6) months of equivalent public works, landscaping, or construction experience including varied manual tasks.
Depending on the number of qualified applicants, random selection may be used to determine who moves forward in the process.
For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the
The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.
Special Requirements
- Possession of a valid driver's license.
- Employees must maintain a Snow Emergency Overtime acceptance rate of at least 50%.
Physical Requirements:
Employees in this position must be able to lift/carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds and must be capable of lifting heavier objects with another employee. This position requires a high percentage of work outdoors in all types of weather while walking and standing. In addition, employees must be able to frequently bend, twist, squat, climb and reach for extended periods of time.
The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.
Compensation
The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.
Benefits
The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our for more information.
Leave
Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.
0-3 years 10 work days of vacation
After 3 years 12-1/2 days
After 7 years 15 days
After 11 years 17-1/2 days
After 15 years 20 days
After 19 years 25 days
After 27 years 27 days
Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.
Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve).
Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.
Retirement
The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.
Insurance
The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
- Long Term Care Insurance
Other Benefits
The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:
• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training
01
Do you have at least three (3) months of experience as a seasonal laborer with the City of Madison?
02
If you answered "No" to the previous questions, do you have at least six (6) months of public works, landscaping, or construction experience that involved varied manual tasks. Important: If you answer "Yes" to this question, please include relevant details in the Work Experience section of your application.
03
Please indicate which of the following duties or responsibilities you have performed regularly for at least three (3) months. (Check all that apply)
- Grass mowing with a riding mower
- Grass mowing with a push mower
- String trimming of grass and/or weeds
- Removal of brush and/or debris
- Ice rink maintenance, including clearing and flooding
- Installation and removal of hockey boards
- Snow removal using a shovel
- Snow removal using a snow blower
- Snow removal using a truck-mounted plow
- Trash collection and/or removal, including picking trash and emptying barrels
- Tree and/or shrub pruning
- Removal of trees/shrubs using chainsaws
- Removal of tree/shrubs using handsaws
- Leaf collection
- Yardwaste collection
- Mulching
- Curbside brush collection
- Public yardwaste drop-off site attendant
- Tree planting
- Flower planting
- Weeding
- Watering plants and/or trees
- Deadheading plants
- Mower blade sharpening
- Mower greasing
- Power washing
- Oil changes
- Vehicle/equipment cleaning
- Facilities maintenance
- Facilities cleaning
- Operate a tractor
- Event set-up and tear-down
- None of the above
04
Please indicate if you have been a participant in any of the following programs or attended any listed outreach events. (Check all that apply)
- Operation Fresh Start
- Latino Workforce Academy
- WRTP | BIG STEP
- Mi Centro
- Urban League
- None
Required Question
