Grounds Maintenance Worker - Mow Crew

City of Largo; Largo (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Largo is seeking a grounds maintenance worker to perform heavy manual labor and maintenance tasks under a Foreman or Supervisor. The role involves using tools, equipment, and light automotive gear in outdoor settings around parks and facilities.

Qualification emphasizes a high school diploma or GED, 2 years in grounds work (preferred), and a valid Florida Driver's License. The job includes standard safety protocols and potential overtime for city events.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years experience in grounds maintenance preferred.
• One year training/experience with fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides; grounds maintenance background preferred.
• Valid Florida Driver's License or transfer within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Maintain landscaped medians on FDOT highways and City roadways.
• Maintain landscaping on City properties.
• Perform grounds maintenance: mowing, edging, weeding, pruning, watering, fertilization, and ball field care.
• Operate small power equipment: mowers, edgers, clippers; may operate backhoe tractor, bucket loader, etc.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Tools & equipment knowledge

Safety awareness

Light vehicle operation

Instruction following

Manual labor capability

Public interaction

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Edgers & weed eaters

Lawn mowers

Sprinkler systems

Job description

Mission: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride

Vision: To be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay

Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Passion, Creativity

Largo's commitment to a High Performance Organization (HPO) model builds a flexible and resilient organization that intentionally builds leadership capacity at all levels of the organization.

CITY OF LARGO ... Naturally A Great Place to Work!

Closing: Continuous

Salary: $17.76 hourly rate

Job Summary:

This is heavy manual labor involving semi-skilled work in various maintenance and construction tasks requiring the use of tools, equipment, and the operation of light automotive equipment. Work is performed under the supervision of a Foreman or Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

All employees share components of leadership, management, technical, and team skills to assist in making the City of Largo the community of choice in Tampa Bay.

Leadership

Demonstrates an understanding and reflection of the City’s mission, vision, and values and a commitment to achieve organizational goals aligned with the City’s strategic plan.

Champions a high performance work culture that encourages and embraces new ideas, develops individuals and welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives.

Articulates strategic and innovative thinking and provides clarity to deliver superior services.

Approaches the job with enthusiasm and curiosity to promote a solutions-oriented work culture.

Management

Effectively manages assignments and priorities to ensure the fulfillment of projects, tasks, and responsibilities.

Follows suggested procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety and risk avoidance.

Technical

Maintains landscaped medians on Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) owned highways and City roadways.

Maintains landscaping on City-owned properties.

Assumes responsibility for all aspects of grounds maintenance, including mowing, edging, weed eating, raking, weeding plant beds, pruning shrubs and small trees, grass removal, repair of sprinkler systems, planting, watering, and fertilization and ball field preparation and maintenance.

Operates small power equipment including mowers, edgers, clippers, and other associated equipment used in landscaping and grounds maintenance; may operate other equipment such as a backhoe tractor, bucket loader, back-blade, and dump truck.

Performs minor equipment maintenance, including replacing fuel, checking oil, cleaning, and minor repairs.

Keeps operating records and makes reports; inspects park and recreation sites and reports unsafe conditions, needed repairs, and performs site cleanups.

Prepares site and equipment set ups for City special events; may be required to work overtime and/or flex hours to cover department and City-wide special events throughout the year.

May meet the public to give information concerning park facilities, historical sites, rules, and regulations.

Empties trash cans, cleans bathrooms, and performs garbage pick-up at City parks and facilities.

Patrols parks and recreation sites, investigates disturbances or suspicious circumstances and reports to appropriate law enforcement agency.

Team Skills

Supports honest and transparent decision-making.

Collaborates with all team members in a way that builds upon ideas and takes personal accountability and ownership of projects, roles, and assignments.

Openly exhibits a positive attitude, in word and action, and encourages others to do the same.

Performs related work as required.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS:

As a condition of employment, City of Largo employees will be required to work as directed during an undeclared and/or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the official job description.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) required.

Two (2) years experience in grounds maintenance work is highly preferred.

One year combination of training and/or experience in the use of fertilizer, fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides; strong background in grounds maintenance preferred.

Valid Florida Driver's License or from another state for transfer within 30 days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Some knowledge of the tools and equipment used in general maintenance work.

Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to laboring work.

Ability to learn the operation of light trucks, tractors, and small automotive equipment.

Ability to understand and follow simple instructions.

Physical strength and ability to perform heavy manual labor.

Ability to work with the public tactfully and diplomatically.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Environment: 10% inside a climate controlled building; 90% outside which includes driving.

Physical Requirements: The essential functions of the job require sitting approximately one (1) hour per day, standing approximately three and a half (3.5) hours per day, and walking approximately three and a half (3.5) hours per day. The job also requires frequent: bending/stooping, crawling, fine manipulations, grasping, kneeling, pulling, repetitive motion, and lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 15 pounds, with occasional: climbing (stairs and ladder), reaching, and carrying objects weighing up to 44 pounds. On rare occasions the work requires pushing, and lifting/carrying objects weighing 45 pounds or more.

Driving Requirements: The work requires frequent driving and possession of a valid Florida Driver's License; may require valid Florida Class "B" Commercial Driver's License depending on assignment.

Other Machines: The work requires the ability to operate the following machines: backhoes and lawn mowers.

Tools: The work requires proficiency with edgers, weed eaters, chain saws, blowers, pole saws, hedge trimmers, drills, jigsaws, grinders, impact drills, spray tanks, shovels, rakes, and other garden tools.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Yes - DRUG TESTING (Safety Sensitive)

No - CHILDCARE FINGERPRINTING

No - CREDIT CHECK

No - FDLE AND CJSTC SECURITY CLEARANCE: As mandated by the FDLE, CJSTC and the Largo Police Department, this position may be subject to additional security clearances due to access to the police department facility or police department's electronic data.

The City of Largo is an exceptional place to work and live! As the third largest city in Pinellas County and the fourth largest in the Tampa Bay area, Largo offers the perfect blend of convenience and charm. Located near world-class beaches and top regional attractions, the City provides a picturesque natural setting and an outstanding quality of life. Largo’s award-winning parks system spans nearly 500 acres and includes 20 parks and 11 miles of scenic walking trails, offering abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation and connection with nature.

About the Organization

The organization serves over 84 thousand residents and 3 thousand businesses by providing superior services that inspire community pride. The organization is made up of 12 departments with a shared strategic focus on sustainability, public health & safety, and community pride. Largo is committed to building a High-Performance Organization (HPO) model to intentionally support flexibility, resiliency, and leadership capacity at all levels of the organization. HPO empowers individuals to participate in meaningful projects and initiatives to promote employee and community engagement. As a national Top Workplace, Largo is recognized for its innovative, collaborative, and passionate workforce. Team members enjoy competitive pay, robust professional development opportunities, generous benefits and leave packages, and a healthy work-life balance. With its family-friendly atmosphere, tree-lined streets, and award-winning parks, Largo offers more than just a workplace, we offer a community. Every day, we work toward our vision of being the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay, Naturally!

About our Benefits

Team Members enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellness, and financial security of our team members. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; wellness programs; Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA); paid life insurance; and AD&D coverage, with optional supplemental life insurance available. Full-time team members participate in a Defined Contribution 401(a) Plan with a generous City match. Public Safety team members participate in retirement plans outlined in their respective union agreements. All team members may enroll in optional Deferred Compensation 457(b) and/or Roth 457(b) plans. Additional benefits include 11 paid holidays, 24/7 access to fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, and ongoing professional development opportunities. For a complete overview of benefits, please review the City of Largo’s Largo Lifeline.