Grounds Maintenance Worker I - Downtown

This is semi-skilled work involving the maintenance of City-owned properties. Work involves performing heavy manual labor, which requires using hand tools to assemble, install, and maintain equipment and city properties. As work experience is gained, employees in this class may be assigned to somewhat more difficult and responsible tasks. Work assignments frequently are detailed, and the work is subject to review while in progress and upon completion.

• Performs routine grounds and road right-of-way cleaning and maintenance; cuts grass with power mowers, including small tractor mowers, push-type or small tractor mowers; cuts and hoes weeds; trims and prunes shrubbery and small trees; rakes leaves; edges curbs; sprays ditches for weeds; cleans and maintains garden equipment; loads trash and trimmings on truck. 
• Sweeps sidewalks; cleans floors.  
• Uses hand tools and small, power-operated tools on routine tasks.
• Assembles, installs, and maintains playground and picnic equipment and fences.
• Maintains areas of responsibility including but not limited to: Athletic fields and courts, parks, playgrounds, building grounds, water fowl, medians, rights-of-way, city trees, medians, and/or turf areas.
• Involves all phases of landscape installation and maintenance.
• Operates light trucks and other motorized critical in grounds maintenance and events.
• Greases and makes minor repairs on equipment; services and washes automobiles and trucks; digs ditches; repairs broken catch basins; cleans out storm sewer pipes and catch basins.
• Performs simple carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing and mechanical repair and construction work, often under the supervision of a skilled worker.
• Interacts with the public in a courteous and friendly manner.   
• Tree crews and Downtown routes members install, maintain, and remove holiday decorations. 
• Tree crew members must work at heights of up to 50 feet regularly and 100 feet intermittently.  
• May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.  
• Position is designated as Mission Critical by Department Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Cleans and maintains restrooms at City parks.
• Maintains daily maintenance records.
• Removes trash from City parks.
• Maintains the downtown sector of the city (Downtown).

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS: 

• May adjust and repair automatic and mechanical sprinkler system clocks, valves, and sprinkler heads; replaces pipes.
• May be required to maintain and repair tractors and other equipment as needed.
• Performs related work as required.

• Completion of eight (8) school grades.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must maintain a valid telephone number. 
• Must possess and maintain an appropriate valid driver's license.  
• Must obtain and maintain a Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries – Certification, as required by the employing department/division within one (1) year of employment. 
• Must obtain and maintain a (Chapter 482) Limited Lawn and Ornamental (LLO) Pesticide Application License as required by the employing department/division within one (1) year of employment.

• Knowledge of tools and their uses.  
• Knowledge of the precautions necessary to work safely with and around mechanized equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to detect and report plant-related problems, such as diseases, lack of water, etc.
• Knowledge of the use of motorized equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, City employees, and the general public. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Requires light and heavy manual labor work that involves walking or standing most of the time, exerting up to 100 pounds of force regularly, and carry/hold up to thirty (30) pounds on a continuous basis.   
• Requires the ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and/or ride for extended periods.   
• This position requires the ability to work around traffic, insects, wildlife, and the public in a safe manner.  
• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, kneel,  and/or ride for extended periods.   
• The position requires exposure to hot/cold temperatures, adverse weather, toxic fumes, noxious odors, and wet/humid conditions.
• This position requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of taste, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination).  Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone.  Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders.  Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE