The Fall River City Facilities and Operations Subcommittee on Oct. 30 voted to refer to the full committee a revised job description that combines truck-driver duties with an organized-labor maintenance position.

Staff said the new description consolidates equipment-moving duties (for example, relocating lifts and trailers between campuses) and certain skilled tasks that have been handled inconsistently by custodial and administrative staff. Preferred qualifications listed in the description include certifications such as boom-truck operator; staff said those certifications would enhance a candidate’s qualifications but that the superintendent could waive requirements as appropriate.

Committee members sought clarification about whether the position is a new budget line. Staff said the role replaces a previously budgeted organized-labor slot (the former plumber/steam-fitter line) and that the job description itself is new even though the negotiated contract moved a position from the custodial side to maintenance. Staff emphasized the vacancy will be posted and open to applicants rather than written for a single incumbent.

Members also discussed a separate, long-standing basic labor vacancy; staff said that lower-level labor position will be posted at the same time. During debate, one member noted district pay levels for groundskeepers and emphasized the need to align hiring and pay with clear job classifications.

A motion to refer the job description to the full committee was made and seconded; the roll call recorded affirmative votes from members present and the item was referred.

Next steps: the item will appear before the full committee for final approval and classification into the maintenance staffing structure.