Nicholas (Niko) R – Traffic Maintenance Worker
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Every day I come into work, I look forward to swinging a sledgehammer, working hands-on on projects, and working with my team. I never thought hanging up signs or managing other public property was so satisfying. Now when I drive around the city with my family and friends, and we come across a sign, I would proudly tell them, “Hey, I put that sign up.” I take pride in knowing the work I do makes an impact in my community.
Q: Why did this type of work interest you, and how did you get started?
I have always been interested in this type of work. Coming from a family which primarily worked blue collar jobs, hard work and physical labor was the lifestyle that I grew up doing and loving. Before working at the City of Saint Paul, I worked at the City of Shoreview and the City of Burnsville. It was until 2015 when I saw a job opening at the City of Saint Paul, filled out an application, took a test, went in for an interview, and started working. For those who don’t know if this field and environment is right for you, I recommend going to your local construction company and asking for an opportunity to volunteer, observe, or learn more.
Q: What tools or resources does the City provide to be productive and effective in this role?
The City of Saint Paul provides many tools and resources to make sure you are successful at your job. The City also provides training and development workshops you can attend and continuously learn new skills and techniques. The most helpful resources I use are my co-workers and supervisors. If I have any questions, I always feel welcome to approach anyone on my team for help.
Q: What is the most challenging part of your job?
The hardest part of the job was applying and getting hired. After that, everything gets easier. When I first began, I didn’t understand what a work order is. In addition, working at different locations provided challenges which enabled me to learn how to be adaptable to the different environments. Through my experiences I learn how to be more confident in the work I do.