SUMMER EMPLOYMENT

• Utility Laborer & Utility Crew Leader (Mowing)
• Utility Laborer (Maintenance/Cleaning)
• Office Assistant - Departments with availability for this position may vary
• Youth Recreation Aide - Aide for children's summer camp (Position has mandatory training from May 28 - May 31) Camp will run Monday, June 3 - Friday, August 9.
• Law Clerk (Must be actively enrolled in law school and have 1 year completed)
• Intern - Summer internships are only within the Polk County Public Works Department. Divisions with available internships are listed below. Students who are studying these specific areas are preferred.
  • Planning and Development
  • Weatherization
  • Water Resources
  • Engineering

UTILITY LABORER (Mowing and/or Maintenance Work)
Pay Grade: $16/hr                                                                
Distinguishing Features of the Class:
Under immediate supervision, performs unskilled labor to maintain the care and upkeep of facilities, grounds and/or roads.
 
Illustrative Examples of Work:

1. Moves furniture and other materials and supplies within and between County facilities.
2. Mows and rakes grass, trims shrubs, picks up debris and performs other related tasks to maintain County grounds, roads and parks.
3. Sweeps, mops, scrubs, waxes ad polishes floors and vacuums carpeting.
4. Assists semi-skilled and/or skilled laborers with tasks related to building maintenance and repair.
5. Cleans and dusts furniture, windows, woodwork, walls and ceilings.
6. Performs related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

• Knowledge of the use of hand and power tools used in performing common laboring tasks.
• Knowledge of cleaning methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of the care and use of cleaning materials.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to perform heavy and varied manual tasks under any type of weather condition.
• Ability to lift material and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time.

UTILITY CREW LEADER (Mowing Crew Lead)
 Pay Grade: $18/hr
Distinguishing Features of the Class:
Under general supervision, provides leadership and direction to a small number of seasonal employees in the performance of unskilled labor to maintain the care and upkeep of facilities, grounds and/or roads. Transports seasonal work crew and equipment to assigned work areas.
Illustrative Examples of Work:

1. Serves in a lead capacity to  seasonal utility laborers by coordinating work assignments, monitoring/ overseeing the work assigned; may assist in the training of utility laborers; completes daily work logs, vehicle use forms, and work orders.
2. Moves furniture and other materials and supplies within and between County facilities.
3. Mows and rakes grass, trims shrubs, picks up debris and performs other related tasks to maintain County grounds, roads and parks.
4. Sweeps, mops, scrubs, waxes ad polishes floors and vacuums carpeting.
5. Assists semi-skilled and/or skilled laborers with tasks related to building maintenance and repair.
6. Cleans and dusts furniture, windows, woodwork, walls and ceilings.
7. Performs related duties as required.
8. Interacts with landowners or members of the public when entering private property to complete elimination of vegetative growth as per Polk County ordinances or policies.
9. Explains applicable Weed Commission regulations and ordinances to the public.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

• Knowledge of the use of hand and power tools used in performing common laboring tasks.
• Knowledge of cleaning methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of the care and use of cleaning materials.
• Knowledge of methods to safely secure various pieces of small engine equipment to trailer towed by vehicle.
• Ability to use persuasion, tact, and diplomacy when interacting with the public and building/property owners.
• Ability to work independently to schedule work assignments and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to follow verbal/written instructions and to communicate those directions if they are to be delegated.
• Ability to provide guidance, direction and instructions to seasonal workers.
• Ability to perform heavy and varied manual tasks under any type of weather condition over rough/uneven terrain.
• Ability to lift material and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to safely operate equipment such as hand tools, power tools, service vehicles, gators, tractors, mowers, custodial cleaning equipment, and pressure washers.
• Ability to safely operate vehicle/back a vehicle with a trailer attached, frequently in limited space.
• Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationship with co-workers.
• Ability to obtain/maintain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Iowa.

Training and Experience:

• Graduation from high school or the equivalent, and
• Three to six months related experience.

Special Requirements:   
Possession of a driver’s license issued by the State of Iowa and insurable under county liability coverage.            

UTILITY OFFICE ASSISTANT
Pay Grade: $15/hr
Distinguishing Features of the Class:
Under immediate supervision, performs a variety of technical duties related to special projects or support services for an office or department.
 
Illustrative Examples of Work: 

1. Inputs data on computer; maintains records of office activity. 
2. Schedules appointments; answers phone calls and takes messages; provides answers to routine questions from the public regarding office or department practices. 
3. Types surveys, reports, letters and memorandums from rough draft. 
4. Proofreads typed material, corrects grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors. 
5. Performs routine bookkeeping tasks such as collecting and accounting for cash. 
6. Performs routine clerical assignments such as filing, sorting and xeroxing. 
7. Performs related duties as may be required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of word processing or similar keyboard controlled software.
• Ability to perform routine mathematical computations.
• Ability to operate a computer.
• Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Training and Experience:

• Three to six months of general office experience, or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

YOUTH RECREATION AIDE
Pay Grade: $16/hr
Distinguishing Features of the Class:
Under immediate supervision, assists with program activities and cares for youth in a summer youth day care program.

Illustrative Examples of Work:

1. Provides general assistance to permanent staff in the daily care of children enrolled in the summer youth program.
2. Assists with planning, implementing and monitoring daily program activities for children.
3. Observes and supervises children and refers unusual or unacceptable behavior to staff members.
4. Assists with general housekeeping and maintenance duties as required.
5. Performs related duties as may be required. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 
Knowledge and understanding of the methods and techniques used in the care of children and youth; ability to enforce rules and regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality; ability to maintain effective work relationships with children, other summer staff and Polk County employees.

Training and Experience:
Three to six months of related experience caring for children or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SUMMER INTERN 
(Public Works Department Only - Planning & Development, Weatherization, Water Resources, and Engineering)
Pay Grade: $17/hr
Distinguishing Features Of The Class:
As a summer intern, performs designated duties as assigned in accordance with the student’s educational program and the needs of the department  to which the student is assigned  and to perform related duties as assigned. Assists in varied administrative assignments such as research, analysis and report writing or routine technical/ professional work.  

Illustrative Examples Of Work:

1. This job class is limited to students in post-secondary schools. Duties are designed in light of the student's educational program in order to provide work experience that meets the department’s needs and complements the student's educational program.  
2. Performs routine work pertinent to the subject area to which assigned such as general public administration, surveying, drafting and engineering, architecture, counseling, social and mental health services;  may interview and consult with officials, employees, agency clients and other interested individuals or groups; may participate with departmental staff in discussions, program design and program implementation.  
3. Specific work assignments depend on the terms of the student's educational program and the department to which the student is assigned.
4. Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of the concepts of the field to which the internship applies. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. 
• Ability to apply knowledge gained through formal education to situations encountered in the work setting.
• Ability to operate office equipment such as keyboards, photocopying machines and microfilm readers. 

Training and Experience:

• Enrollment at a post-secondary school in coursework relevant to the duties of the department to which assigned. Employment as a Student Intern shall terminate upon graduation. 

LAW CLERK
Pay Grade: $19/hr 
Distinguishing Features of the Class:
Under direct supervision of an attorney, performs case organization, research and trial preparation as assigned.
 
Illustrated Examples of Work:

1. Researches legal issues and develops backgrounds for legal briefs, pleadings and trials.
2. Conducts interviews with various parties related to a particular case including witnesses and/or victims; contacts related parties for investigations, depositions and trial preparation; organizes and tags evidence. 
3. Prepares trial notebook for prosecuting attorney including criminal histories, legal pleadings and correspondence, case files, informational sheets, trial information and other pertinent documents; assists attorneys as necessary during trial.
4. Evaluates case reports and consults with trial attorney on recommendations.
5. Performs support duties such as Xeroxing, filing, etc. as needed.
6. Performs related duties as may be required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles of criminal, civil and juvenile law.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures of the County Attorney Office.
• Knowledge of methods, practices and references utilized in conducting legal research.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to obtain factual information through the interview process.
• Ability to work effectively under deadlines and stressful conditions.
• Ability to analyze detailed factual information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with judiciary, law enforcement, County officials, representatives of other agencies, and the general public.

Training and Experience: 

• Graduation from a four year college, and 
• Completion of one year of law school, or 
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Salary : $15 - $19