Grounds Maintenance Worker I - Lakeland, United States - City of Lakeland, FL

Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
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.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• 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.
• Cleans and maintains restrooms at City parks.
• Maintains daily maintenance records.
• Removes trash from City parks.
• Maintenance of traffic (MOT) on right of ways.
• Inspects and reports issues regarding playgrounds.

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.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE) AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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 a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment, you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute

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

City of Lakeland

2024 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989.

Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned.

All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year.

Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned.

Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

*NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted.

Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis.

Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees).

Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual.

The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave.

The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.


Defined Benefit Plan:
Plan C Employee 3.12%

Employer 15.64%

OR


Defined Contribution Plan:
Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.39%


Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:
A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2024 is $23,000; employees aged 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $7,500. Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual).

Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving.

All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee.

Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces.

(see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days.

Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only.

Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Sue Cook at

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement.

Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Kathy McNelis at

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services Department at or

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at