Laborer - UIC Real Estate

About the Role

Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites, including cleaning and preparing sites, digging trenches, setting braces, erecting scaffolding, performing demolition activities, and cleaning up rubble, debris, and waste materials. Identify, load, offload, and distribute building materials, machinery, or tools. Operate hand and power tools such as air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, and measuring equipment. May assist other craft workers.

Responsibilities

• Assist with repairs and upgrades to commercial and residential units.
• Build, repair, and install counters, cabinets, benches, partitions, floors, doors, building framework, and trim.
• Install glass in windows, doors, and partitions.
• Replace damaged ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and wall coverings.
• Build cabinets and other wooden equipment as requested.
• Perform interior drywall tasks and paint interior walls.
• Install window shades, blinds, curtain rods, wall fans, door and locking hardware.
• Maintain open communication with the Field Supervisor and report any incidents affecting safety, ethics, or profitability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Proficient with all hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of construction materials, methods, and tools for building or repair.
• Willingness to work safely and follow all company policies.
• Awareness of safety issues and OSHA compliance.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must follow directions and work well within a team.
• Ability to interact courteously with co-workers and clients.
• Minimum of one year of general labor experience.

Physical Demands

• Lift, push, or pull 50–100 lbs occasionally and up to 20 lbs frequently.
• Ability to bend, squat, crouch, crawl, kneel, and climb (stairs, scaffolding, ladders, ramps).
• Perform prolonged standing (2–3 hour intervals).
• Work at various levels (waist, eye, above head).
• Good balance on uneven surfaces and maneuvering obstacles.
• Sufficient handgrip and coordination to operate tools and equipment.
• Use personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe shoes, goggles, respirator, safety harness, etc.) per OSHA standards.
• Respond to verbal and audible commands.
• Adequate visual skills to assess object attributes (size, shape, temperature, texture).
• Ability to work at heights above 12 feet using ladders, scaffolding, or man lifts.
• Full range of arm motion (overhead, out, to the side, downward).
• Ability to turn head and body at the waist from side to side.
• Perform physical activities requiring use of arms, legs, and whole-body movement (climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping).
• Handle, install, position, and manipulate materials using hands and arms.

Environmental Conditions

• Ability to withstand extreme temperatures (hot and cold).
• Regular exposure to wet/humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and outside weather.
• Frequent exposure to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles.
• Very loud noise levels; appropriate PPE is mandatory.
• Work environment is a construction site with proximity to moving equipment.