Grounds Maintenance Worker I - Nursery

City of Lakeland, Civil Service; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lakeland is seeking a semi-skilled Grounds Maintenance worker to perform a wide range of outdoor tasks across parks and city properties. You will operate hand and power tools, trim shrubbery, plant trees, and assist in installing park amenities.

The role includes record-keeping and occasional repairs, under supervision. Candidates should be able to lift, bend, and work outdoors in various weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must obtain and maintain Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices certification within one year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Cleans and maintains restrooms at City parks.
• Maintains daily maintenance records.
• Removes trash from City parks.
• Plants trees.
• Pots plants in the nursery.
• Cares for plant material in the nursery.
• Installs park amenities throughout the City.
• Cuts grass with power mowers and small tractors; trims and prunes shrubbery.
• Operates light trucks and other motorized equipment.
• Performs simple carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical repairs.

Skills

Stamina

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Education

Eight grade education

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Lawn mower

Small tractor mower

Truck operation

Job description

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

• Cleans and maintains restrooms at City parks.
• Maintains daily maintenance records.
• Removes trash from City parks.
• Plants trees.
• Pots plants in the nursery.
• Cares for plant material in the nursery.
• Installs park amenities throughout the City.
• 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, and/or turf areas.
• Involves all phases of landscape installation and maintenance.
• Operates light trucks and other motorized vehicles 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.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

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

• Completion of eight school grades.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Must possess and maintain a 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 year of employment.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Tools and their uses.
• Precautions necessary to work safely with and around mechanized equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
• Using motorized equipment.

ABILITIES:

• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Detect and report plant-related problems, such as diseases, lack of water, etc.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, City employees, and the general public.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Light and heavy manual labor work that involves walking or standing most of the time, exerting up to 100 pounds of force regularly, and carrying/holding up to 30 pounds continuously.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and/or ride for extended periods.
• Working safely around traffic, insects, wildlife, and the public.
• Exposure to hot/cold temperatures, adverse weather, toxic fumes, noxious odors, and wet/humid conditions.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, taste, smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

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