Plant Assistant I

City of Grand Rapids; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision starting Day 1

Employee 401a with employer matching

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation and Sick Time

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

City of Grand Rapids is seeking a Plant Assistant II to advance from the Natural Progression track. This role involves hands-on grounds maintenance, equipment operation and support for Water Resource Recovery Facility operations.

The position requires basic education and two years of grounds maintenance experience, with CDL or ability to obtain one within six months. The work includes confined-space entries and heavy equipment operation as part of daily tasks.

Qualifications

• Completion of tenth grade is required.
• Two years of experience in general building and grounds maintenance and repair work.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintains grounds by mowing, trimming, edging, seeding, fertilizing and irrigation.
• Cleans tanks, equipment, drains and buildings using various tools and methods.
• Operates snow plows, trucks and related equipment as needed.
• Transports generators, pumps and equipment to facilities and other departments.
• Assists plant maintenance and operations staff and works in confined spaces when required.
• Loads sludge using heavy equipment and operates front end loaders and trucks.
• Supports painting and general maintenance projects.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Equipment operation

Safety procedures

Education

Completion of tenth grade

Job description

This is a Natural Progression position. Satisfactory completion of the assigned duties and responsibilities results in appointment to Plant Assistant II. This is manual and some semiskilled work in the care and maintenance of Water Resource Recovery Facility and grounds.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Maintains grounds by cutting grass, trimming shrubs, removing snow, removing trash and other debris, edging, seeding, fertilizing, trimming trees and removal, and lawn watering.
• Cleans tanks, equipment, drains, buildings, tunnels, dry wells and wet wells using a variety of equipment including high pressure water, steam cleaning, augers and scrubbers.
• Operates snow plows, trucks and blowers as needed; removes ice and snow from roadways, driveways and sidewalks.
• Transports emergency power generators to pumping stations and places on-line; transports pumps and other equipment to Wastewater Treatment facilities and to other City departments.
• Assists plant maintenance personnel and plant operations personnel.
• Works as top person in confined space entry.
• Enters confined spaces, tests atmosphere, sets up ventilation, tripod, harness and lifeline.
• Removes and loads sludge into containers using front end loader, backhoe and bobcat.
• Operates equipment including 26,000 GVW truck, 35,000 GVW truck, boom truck, front end loader, backhoe, bobcat, fork lift and tractors.
• Assists plant painter with sandblasting projects.
• Assists plant painter with general plant painting projects.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Completion of tenth grade

--AND--

• Two (2) years of experience in general building and grounds maintenance and repair work

--OR--

• Any equivalent combination of training and experience

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) or the ability to obtain one within six (6) months of hire

We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision starting on Day 1
• 6% employee 401a contribution with employer matching (6% or 7% based on bargaining unit)
• Employee & Employer contributions to Retiree Health Savings Account
• Voluntary benefits such as term life insurance, flexible spending accounts, accidental insurance, disability insurance, and deferred compensation plan options
• Twelve Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Paid Parking (if applicable)
• Employee Home Ownership Incentive
• Tuition Reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program with free mental health counseling
• Comprehensive Wellness program with a health and wellness incentive
• Employee Discounts and Perks

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our Leaves and Accommodations Analyst, Amanda Kaulback. Email [e-mail] or [e-mail] or by phone at [phone].

The City of Grand Rapids does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Please Note

This position is subject to the provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement and all relevant civil service rules. For additional information, links to union agreement and Civil Service Rules are provided below.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Civil Service Rules