General Labourer Temporary Approx. May to September 2026

Fort Erie bridges big city entrepreneurial opportunities with small-town charm and lifestyle. Quality of life is incomparable with its strong values, a dynamic work environment and easy access to modern amenities complemented by small-town ambience, warmth and welcome. Along with an array of historical sites, natural beauty and beaches, recreational trails, excellent fishing, birding and cycling, and a gateway to Buffalo via the Peace Bridge, Fort Erie has so much to offer!

The Town of Fort Erie is a diverse and welcoming community.  Come join our team of dedicated, professional and committed co-workers and put your mark on something that is exciting and rewarding.  We are recruiting people who share our values of teamwork, respect, honesty and commitment.  Our mission is to lead and serve Fort Erie by pursuing opportunities, leveraging partnerships and managing our resources to achieve prosperity.

The General Labourer works in a team environment: drive vehicles, operate tools and equipment, and perform strenuous physical labour to support the continuous delivery of road & stormwater services and parks & facilities services according to adopted and legislated operational, maintenance and repair standards and procedures.

The ideal candidate will possess an OSSD or equivalent, along with additional programs/courses of up to six (6) months or an equivalent combination of education and training. Candidates must obtain and maintain Chainsaw Certification and follow chainsaw work best practices. A valid Ontario driver’s licence with a DZ endorsement or higher is required, along with a driving record acceptable to the Corporation. The successful candidate will also have over one (1) year and up to two (2) years of ongoing learning and experience related to Ontario Regulation 239/02 Minimum Maintenance Standards, Ontario Traffic Manual (O.T.M.) Book 5 – Regulatory Signs, and Ontario Traffic Manual (O.T.M.) Book 7 – Temporary Conditions. In addition, candidates should have over six (6) months and up to one (1) year of learning related to parks and arena operations. Standard First Aid, CPR, and AED certification are considered assets. Lastly, they will also have experience using computers and software programs to retrieve job information and assignments, complete inspections, and access information.

Compensation includes a rate of $30.47 an hour, plus 4% vacation pay, based on 40 hours weekly. The successful candidate is also entitled to enroll in the Ontario Municipal Employee Retirement System (OMERS) pension plan.

Fort Erie: A Community for Everyone

The deadline for receiving applications is 12:00 pm on Friday, May 22, 2026. For more information and to apply for this position please visit www.forterie.ca. 

The Town of Fort Erie is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodation is available to candidates upon request. We thank all applicants for their interest, only those advancing through the recruitment process will be contacted.  Personal information is collected under the Municipal Act, 2001 to determine employment suitability.

Department:           Infrastructure Services

Division:                 Roads & Stormwater Services and Parks & Facilities Services 

Reports to:            Supervisor of Roads and Stormwater Services and a Parks and Facilities Division Supervisor

Position Objective

In a team environment: drive vehicles, operate tools and equipment, and perform strenuous physical labour to support the continuous delivery of road & stormwater services and parks & facilities services according to adopted and legislated operational, maintenance and repair standards and procedures.

Duties & Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of this role differ depending on the position they are working:

• From on or about October 1^st to March 31^st this position will be a Roads Operator I or II with a focus on winter maintenance and all applicable rate upgrades will apply. They will report to the Supervisor of Roads and Stormwater Services.
• From on or about April 1^st to September 30^th this position will be a Recreation Employee. They will report to the Supervisor of Parks and Arenas.

Roads

1. Perform strenuous, physical labour in the installation, maintenance and repair of the road, sidewalk, stormwater collection and parks & facilities services, treatment systems and component parts and fixtures according to adopted and legislated operational, maintenance and repair standards and procedures; support and adhere to the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways and Stormwater QMS.
2. Safely drive and operate vehicles, equipment and attachments in support of road & stormwater installation, maintenance and repair activities (i.e. asphalt hot box trailer, brush chipper, front end loader, trucks GVW 14,000 kg or greater).
3. Conduct daily inspections of vehicles, gas powered tools and equipment; perform minor maintenance tasks, clean and wash vehicles and maintain records of same.
4. Set-up and perform traffic control; identify and alert others to health and safety risks, documenting the traffic control plan and filing the paperwork while following the Ontario Traffic Manual (O.T.M.) Book 7 – Temporary Conditions.
5. Conduct traffic control duties, spotting/backing up heavy equipment or other construction vehicles, ensuring a safe work zone.
6. Conduct winter maintenance and storm response activities (i.e. installing/removing snow fence, deploying/filling salt boxes), brushing (i.e. using chainsaws, pole saws, backpack leaf blowers) fallen trees/tree limbs and vegetation encroaching the roadway or lines of sight for vehicles and pedestrians.
7. Transport materials to/from job sites and perform and/or assist in safe loading and unloading of the vehicle/equipment.
8. Complete input of digital information, field sketches, records and logbooks clearly, correctly and concisely.
9. Provide operational support to other infrastructure services, if and as required.
10. Attend training as required to maintain competency.
11. Conduct periodic inspections of the road, sidewalk and storm sewer network, applying Ontario Regulation 239/02 Minimum Maintenance Standards (M.M.S.) and the Stormwater QMS to identify multiple deficiencies, creating a detailed record of deficiencies found.
12. Perform sign maintenance and installation by following Ontario Traffic Manual (O.T.M.) Book 5 – Regulatory Signs and Ontario Traffic Manual (O.T.M.) Book 6 – Warning sign’s guidelines.

Parks, Open Spaces and Town Properties

1. Maintain and repair parks, open spaces, beaches, sport fields and related installations, including grass cutting, planting and washroom inspection
2. Safely operate various mowers, trimmers, small trucks and tractors
3. Inspect/maintain/repair park furniture/playground equipment
4. Complete logs/reports as required

Facilities

1. Ensure efficient plant operations by performing maintenance and repair to facilities, properties and equipment
2. Respond proactively to customer service issues
3. Ensure exceptional cleanliness and safety
4. Perform special event/rental preparation, set-up and tear down
5. Effect rough and finish carpentry

Arenas

1. Flood and maintain ice using ice-resurfacing vehicle and equipment
2. Monitor refrigeration plant regularly
3. Minor repairs to ice maintenance equipment
4. Ensure exceptional cleanliness and safety

Education & Experience

• Education (Knowledge) - OSSD or equivalent plus additional programs/courses of up to six (6) months or equivalent. Must attain Chainsaw Certification and maintain chainsaw work best practices.
• Valid Ontario drivers’ license with DZ endorsement or higher with a driving record acceptable to the Corporation.
• Experience – Over one (1) and up to two (2) years on-going learning of the Ontario Regulation 239/02 Minimum Maintenance Standards, Ontario Traffic Manual (O.T.M.) Book 5 – Regulatory Signs, Ontario Traffic Manual (O.T.M.), the Ontario Traffic Manual (O.T.M.) Book 7 – Temporary Conditions. Over six months, up to and including one year learning parks and arena operations.
• Standard First Aid, CPR and AED training an asset. 
• Experience using computers and software programs to retrieve job information and assignments, complete inspections and view information.

Knowledge

• Applied, technical knowledge of safe vehicle operation, construction practices, and the safe use and operation of power tools, and hand tools.
• Technical knowledge of stormwater systems operations, maintenance and inspection and the Stormwater QMS.
• Technical knowledge of the Municipal Act, Minimum Maintenance Standards (M.M.S.), Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7, Ontario Traffic Manual Books 5 and 6, Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications (OPSS), Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Technical knowledge of winter operations, road maintenance and construction methods and materials.
• General knowledge of basic surveying techniques including the determination and setting of grades.
• General knowledge of road and stormwater drainage systems, materials, standards and practices.
• General knowledge of Town roads and stormwater drainage systems.
• General knowledge of municipal government and good customer service practices.
• General knowledge of administrative forms and record keeping.
• General knowledge of common office software (e.g. PSD Citywide, MS Office, customer relationship management, GIS).
• General knowledge of grounds keeping methods and equipment.
• General knowledge of refrigeration/artificial ice maintenance.
• General knowledge of housekeeping/custodial methods and equipment.
• General knowledge of construction practices and equipment.
• General knowledge of building mechanical systems, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning and associated equipment.
• General knowledge of electrical systems.
• General knowledge of monitoring sensor and fire alarm systems and equipment. 

Skills & Ability

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude.
• Demonstrated ability to operate computers PSD Citywide, MS Office, customer relationship management, GIS. 
• Demonstrates Attention to detail/complete and accurate record keeping.
• Displays a keen interest in developing technical knowledge and skills.
• Read and interpret maps, sketches and locates, operating procedures, blueprints and diagrams.
• Demonstrates strong customer service skills.
• Good communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Work co-operatively with internal customers and external service providers
• Demonstrates flexibility.
• Adaptable to change, willing to learn and practice new skills; maintain up to date technical knowledge of current and new legislative requirements.
• Displays self-motivation and a positive outlook.
• Ability to: 
  • Perform strenuous physical labour in adverse conditions.
  • Operate, maintain, adjust and safely operate various hand tools, machines, vehicles and equipment.
  • Trouble-shoot roads and roadside drainage system repairs.
  • Identify problems and perform mathematical calculations.
  • Maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, associates and external customers in an environment of teamwork.
  • Accept direction and suggest improvements.
  • Learn and practice new skills.
  • Communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.
  • Plan, organize and schedules work independently with energy and enthusiasm.
  • Anticipate obstacles to successful completion of assignments.

Supervision of Others

Periodically performs some direction of others (Students and casuals).

Work Demands

• Judgement - Assignments are covered by well-defined methods and procedures. Some latitude exists for organizing work or exercising judgement within established guidelines. Most unusual problems are referred to the supervisor.
• Sensory Demands – Regular effort (Activity occurs several times daily almost every day or approximately 50% of the time). Concentration on precision work, report writing, multiple demands or long periods of driving. Limited counselling, training, instruction. Visual and/or listening attention with some choice of action to seek relief.
• Physical Effort - Extended effort (over 75% of the time). Requires almost continuous expenditure of effort causing major fatigue. Activities such as standing, driving, stooping, crouching, walking behind the asphalt hot box, climbing out of ditches/trenches, kneeling, lifting, pushing/pulling awkward objects, carrying rolls of snow fence; works in seated position while driving; activities including the use of hand tools (i.e. hand digging for utilities, shovelling hot asphalt, raking) and gas powered equipment (i.e. jackhammer, sidewalk grinders, chainsaws, pole-saws, weed-whackers).
• Dexterity — Job requires tasks that demand the co-ordination of coarse and fine movements, where speed is a moderate consideration. (i.e. long handled tools, handling nuts and bolts in adverse weather).
• Accountability — Incorrect or inappropriate recommendations/decisions/actions have obvious effects on financial implications, some embarrassment to the Municipality, reduced service to the public, minor adverse effects on clients and requires intervention by senior staff to deal with repercussions.
• Physical Safety of Others - Considerable degree of care required to prevent injury or harm to others. (The work requires special care to prevent injury to others, including but not limited to traffic control, inspection and use of light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks, operating and working near Rexroth Compu-Spread control systems (spinner devices and material conveyors), removing and installing operating chainsaws, pole-saws, brush chipper, performing overhead tree work, backing-up large vehicles. mowers and ice re-surfacer.
• Contacts — Deal with or settle requests, complaints or clarification of information.
• Disagreeable Conditions — Major conditions of frequent exposure (i.e. traffic, salt, silica, dust/dirt, grease/oil; extreme temperatures, travel, noise, vibration, odour, fumes, wet conditions, inclement weather, trench operations, shift work, infectious disease, rudeness, vomit and blood).
• Work is subject to overtime, particularly during winter maintenance operations, storms, flooding, spills, emergency repairs & urgent road closures.
• Shift work, including Saturday, Sunday and holidays as required.

This position could be reassigned to perform the position of Overnight Crew Leader – Winter Operations for the period of approximately December 1st to March 31st should that position go unfilled through the current posting process.