Apprentice Facilities Worker

City of Fort Lauderdale; Leesburg (FL); On-site; USD 24,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fort Lauderdale is seeking an entry-level employee for facility and grounds maintenance duties. The role involves outdoor, physically strenuous work such as lawn care, litter pickup, pruning, graffiti removal, and basic tool maintenance.

Essential duties include operating light equipment, maintaining park areas, and assisting with minor repairs. Applicants should have a High School diploma or GED and a valid Florida driver’s license. Emergency shifts may be required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Some knowledge of manual maintenance methods, procedures, tools and tasks.
• Possess a valid State of Florida Class "E" driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Weed, fertilize, water ornamental plant beds and assist in planting.
• Operate gas-powered trimming/edging equipment and mow grass in parks and medians.
• PICK up litter and debris; empty trash receptacles.
• Trim and prune trees and shrubs; load debris.
• Paint over graffiti and clean surfaces as needed.
• Perform basic maintenance on tools, equipment and park furniture.
• Other related tasks as directed by supervisor.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Equipment operation

Physical stamina

Reading/understanding procedures

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Gas-powered trimming/edging equipment

Job description

The employee in this role may perform entry-level facility and or grounds maintenance duties, which may include minor repairs, cleaning restrooms, landscape, trash pick-up, etc. Work requires strenuous physical outdoor work, often under unfavorable conditions.

In accordance with Article 24 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Fort Lauderdale and Teamsters Local Union 769, for posting purposes this open-competitive job posting shall be considered as a simultaneous internal and external posting (it is open to both internal City employees and external applicants).

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

• Hand weeds, fertilizes, and waters ornamental plant beds; may assist in the installation and maintenance of annual plant beds
• Operates gas-operated trimming/edging equipment to trim/edge around trees, signs, landscaped beds, etc.; waters and fertilizes lawn areas
• Operates smaller gas-operated riding lawn mowers and large push mowers to cut grass in parks, medians, and other City-maintained areas and facilities
• Picks up litter and debris by use of pick sticks, blowers or vacuums; empties trash receptacles
• Trims and prunes trees, shrubs and bushes from ground level by use of hand tools such as hand clippers and pole saws; loads trucks with trimmings and other debris
• Paints over graffiti using either roller or brush; and/or removes graffiti via use of proper cleaning materials (including chemicals/solvents)
• Maintains and cleans areas using rakes, hoes, shovels, blowers, and related tools and equipment
• Performs minor maintenance and repair to park furniture and related equipment
• Operates light trucks and other automotive equipment as needed
• Performs a variety of other manual tasks including digging/shoveling sand and dirt; lifts, loads and properly stores tools and equipment; performs basic maintenance to tools and equipment; mulches landscaped areas
• Performs basic maintenance of tools and equipment
• Performs related work as required or directed by crew leader or supervisor

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalency
2. Some knowledge of manual maintenance work methods, procedures, tools, equipment and tasks
3. Possess a current and valid State of Florida Class "E" driver's license with an acceptable driving record
4. To claim Veterans’ Preference, candidates must attach to the application a copy of military separation papers (DD214) and service-connected disability documentation (if applicable) to meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by Florida Statues. For additional information, please refer to the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.

As public servants, employees may be required to work immediately before, during, and/or after an emergency. All employees must be available and able to work assigned shifts as determined by their Department Heads.

PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The position involves heavy physical demands, such as exerting up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. Must be able to bend and stoop repeatedly and/or continuously over time in order to weed plants, pick up trash, and to perform other maintenance tasks.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The City of Fort Lauderdale receives a high volume of applications, so not every applicant who meets the minimum qualifications will be guaranteed an interview. Candidates are selected for interviews based on how closely their education and work experience match the specific requirements of the position.

Applicants will be subject to an extensive selection and screening process, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; written; oral and performance-based testing; skills assessment; interview; employment check, background investigation; medical examination; and drug screen. For Public Safety positions, the process additionally includes polygraph examinations and psychological evaluations. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position.

All applicants, including current City of Fort Lauderdale employees, need to fully detail their work experience on the employment application. Applicants must ensure that all required documents submitted are in a format that is acceptable, clear, and legible. It is the applicant’s responsibility to update their online profile with accurate personal information, work history, education, and certifications each time they submit a new application. Incomplete applications may result in disqualification.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is an Equal Opportunity, Veteran’s Preference Employer and Drug Free Workplace.