Union Laborer Jobs in Puerto Rico (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Laborer 

Location: Puerto Rico

Reports to: Trade Foreman / General Foreman

Compensation Range: $14–$20 hourly (depending on location, experience, skills, and qualifications)

About Ceres Caribe

Ceres Caribe was founded in Puerto Rico in 1998 after Hurricane Georges. It has since grown to be one of the largest employers on the island by providing long-term careers and meaningful work. Ceres Caribe is recognized for its rapid disaster recovery operations including debris removal, demolition, and blue roofs. We perform resiliency services such as vegetation management and utility line clearing for the Puerto Rican power grid. Ceres Caribe is also nationally recognized for creating natural parks and an aviary center on the island. The company continues expanding its efforts to secure and strengthen Puerto Rico’s infrastructure.

Driven by Purpose, Powered by People

At Ceres Caribe, you're more than just an employee-you’re part of a mission. Whether in management, field operations, or behind the scenes, every team member plays a vital role in restoring hope, helping communities recover, and rebuilding stronger than before.

We value initiative, respect diversity, and give our people the freedom to lead. We offer competitive pay, travel opportunities, and a culture built on resilience and teamwork. If you show up with compassion, share the commitment, react with urgency, and deliver solutions, you’ll fit right in. We don’t just respond to challenges; we rise to them.

What We Are Looking For

The Laborer – Civil Construction is an entry-level field role supporting earthwork, concrete operations, utilities installation, drainage systems, carpentry/formwork activities, and general civil construction tasks. This position is essential to safe and efficient job site operations and works under direct supervision from the Trade Foreman or General Foreman.

Success in the first 12 months includes demonstrating safe work habits, learning basic construction tools and equipment, supporting skilled trades, maintaining job site cleanliness, and reliably performing assigned tasks across active civil construction zones.

What You Will Do

General Civil Construction Tasks

• Assist with earthwork activities including digging, trenching, grading, and backfilling.
• Support concrete crews with formwork preparation, rebar placement, mixing, pouring, and finishing tasks.
• Help utility crews install pipes, conduits, drainage structures, and related civil infrastructure.
• Load, unload, and move materials, tools, and equipment throughout the job site.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas, removing debris and ensuring safe access routes.
• Operate basic hand tools and light equipment such as shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, compactors, and saws.
• Assist equipment operators with spotting, staging materials, and safe movement around heavy machinery.
• Follow instructions from Foremen and skilled trades to support daily production goals.

Carpentry & Formwork Support

• Assist carpenters with building, assembling, and installing formwork for concrete foundations, slabs, walls, and structural elements.
• Cut, carry, and stage lumber, plywood, stakes, and formwork materials.
• Help place, secure, and strip forms after concrete curing.
• Support layout activities by holding measuring tapes, levels, and chalk lines.
• Perform basic carpentry tasks such as hammering, nailing, drilling, and fastening under supervision.
• Maintain carpentry tools, clean work areas, and ensure materials are organized and ready for use.
• Assist with installing temporary structures such as barricades, bracing, shoring, and safety railings.
• Safely handle saws, drills, and other power tools with training and supervision.

Safety & Job Site Support

• Learn and apply safe work practices, hazard awareness, and job site protocols.
• Use required PPE and follow all company safety standards and procedures.
• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, or equipment concerns immediately.
• Maintain reliable attendance and meet daily performance expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Less than 1 year of experience performing physical labor or construction work.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to regularly lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to work outdoors year-round in varying environments.
• Ability to follow direction, work in a team, and communicate effectively.
• Basic understanding of safety risks and safe work practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in construction, concrete, utilities, earthwork, or carpentry.
• OSHA 10 certification.
• Experience using basic construction tools or equipment.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred.

What to Expect

Laborers can expect a physically demanding, safety-critical role supporting civil construction operations. Work is performed outdoors in hot, humid, rainy, or extreme weather conditions and may involve exposure to heavy equipment, excavation sites, concrete operations, and high-noise environments.

Daily work includes assisting skilled trades, supporting carpenters and concrete crews, moving materials, supporting earthwork and utility activities, and maintaining safe job site conditions. Travel across Puerto Rico may be required depending on project needs. Success requires reliability, teamwork, safe work habits, and the ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced construction environment.

Physical Requirements and Environment

Ceres provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants with sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law.

• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and work outdoors for extended periods.
• Ability to work in adverse weather, extreme heat, wet or humid conditions, uneven terrain, and around moving mechanical parts.
• Willingness to wear PPE including hard hat, protective eyewear, gloves, and safety footwear.
• Commitment to following all safety standards and protocols.

Why Join Ceres Caribe?

At Ceres Caribe, you won’t just have a job-you’ll have a mission. Your work will directly impact the reliability and resiliency of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure and help strengthen communities throughout the island.

We offer:

• A collaborative, mission-driven culture.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• The chance to make a lasting difference for communities across Puerto Rico.

Ceres Caribe is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

E-Verify: We comply with Federal law by verifying employment eligibility.