Apprentice Facilities Worker - Parks and Recreation

City-of-Fort-Lauderdale,-Fl; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fort Lauderdale is seeking an entry-level facilities and grounds maintenance worker to perform duties such as lawn care, weed control, cleaning restrooms, and minor repairs in parks and public spaces. The role requires physical outdoor work under various conditions and a valid Florida driver’s license.

Essential functions include operating trimming equipment, mowing, litter pickup, pruning, graffiti removal, and basic tool maintenance.

Qualifications

• Minimum knowledge of manual maintenance methods, procedures, tools, and tasks.
• Ability to perform strenuous outdoor work and lift up to 50 lbs routinely.

Responsibilities

• Hand weeds, fertilize, waters ornamental plant beds and assist in installing annual beds.
• Operate light equipment like trimmers, mowers, and blowers to maintain parks and landscaped areas.
• Picks up litter, trims trees and shrubs, and cleans park facilities and furniture.
• Perform basic maintenance of tools and equipment and assist crew as directed.
• Work requires flexibility to handle shifts and emergency response as needed.

Skills

Manual maintenance knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalency

Job description

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

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. (link: https://floridavets.org/benefits-services/veterans-preference/)

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 by an employee 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.