Cement Finisher

Sets forms, places, and finishes cement and/or concrete on City construction projects using standard methods and tools of the trade.

Department:  Public Works
Posting Type: Announcement/Bid
Salary:  $31.36 per year. 
Union: This position is included in the Pittsburgh Joint Collective Bargaining Committee and will be filled in accordance with the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Union Bid Form: Not required. Your application for this position will serve as your union Bid Form.
Civil Service Classification:  LaborGeneral Requirements:
You must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified. ?Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are notsubject to a Civil Service appeal.  

• Applicants must submit a complete application, including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable), and completed supplemental questions.
• Applicants must be or become a resident of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and must maintain residency throughout employment.
  • Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
• A current, valid Pennsylvania Class C Driver's License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service on an individual basis.

NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation, as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered.
 
Qualifying Requirements:
Your City of Pittsburgh application will be reviewed, and your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position.  You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show four (4) years of full-time, paid professional experience as a cement finisher. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
• EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a high school diploma or equivalency. 
• EQUIVALENCY: Education may be substituted for work experience on a year for year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above). The total qualifying requirement is four (4) years. Eligible applicants must possess one of the following combinations of education and work experience:
  • High School diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of full-time paid professional experience as a cement finisher. 
    • OR
  • Journeyman Cement Finisher Certificate. 
    • OR 
  • Two (2) years of related education (apprentice program) and two (2) years of full-time paid professional experience as a cement finisher.

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s).  You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position.  Candidates who receive job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) prior to start date.

• Written:  None required for this position.
• Performance:  Required. The performance exam is based on the knowledge/abilities listed in the Job Description, which is linked at the bottom of the Position Duties section of this announcement. The exams will tentatively take place September 29 and 30, 2026. 
• Medical:  Required.

Click HERE to view and/or print the Candidate Preparation Guide, which contains event descriptions. 

• Sets forms for cement and/or concrete on City construction projects.
• Finishes cement and/or concrete on City construction projects. 
• Erects scaffolds and barricades used in the above work.
• Assists Bricklayer in performance of job. 
• Cleans work site.
• May drive City a vehicle.
• May use a variety of technological hardware (ie, computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, GPS, cameras, etc.) and/or software (ie, email, Cartegraph, Microsoft Office, etc.) to maintain records and prepare accurate reports on work performed.
• Performs work in accordance with established safety policies and procedures. 
• Performs activities and functions of related lower-level personnel as assigned or required.

CLICK HERE to view the full job description including knowledge, skills, and abilities and working conditions for this position. Locate and click on the position title to view the complete job description.