Public Service Worker - Landscaping & Forestry Crew

City of Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg (MD)

On-site

USD 42,000 - 50,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement contributions

Student loan assistance

Life insurance

Job summary

City of Gaithersburg is seeking a Public Service Worker I/II for the Landscaping & Forestry Crew in the Department of Public Works. You will help maintain over 91 properties, plant trees, mulch, and manage seasonal upkeep to keep the community attractive and safe.

This 40-hour work week runs 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some evenings, weekends, and holidays. Starting salary ranges from $42,200 to $49,500 with comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

Be hard-working, dependable, punctual, and safety conscious.
Ability to deliver excellent customer service with a positive attitude.
Valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
Ability to perform moderate to heavy manual labor.
Experience in landscaping/tree maintenance or related field is desirable.

Responsibilities

Plant, maintain, and water trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Median beautification tasks and weed control; mulching and edging.
Prune, maintain, and remove trees; clear landscaped areas after storms or accidents.
Mow, trim, rake leaves, and perform general grounds maintenance.
Operate equipment and assist with snow removal and special projects.

Skills

Hard-working

Dependable

Punctual

Safety conscious

Valid driver’s license

Team player

Customer service

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED desirable

Job description

Description

Are you looking for a secure job with great pay, excellent benefits, and an opportunity for advancement? Do you like physical work in an outdoor environment? Are you interested in being part of a team dedicated to providing exceptional services that improve and maintain a community's quality of life? Would you like to find a career, not just a job? You’ve come to the right place! We have an immediate opening for a Public Service Worker on our Landscaping & Forestry Crew in the Gaithersburg Department of Public Works.

40 hours per week; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required. Starting salary for the Public Service Worker I level position is negotiable within the target hiring range ($42,200 - $49,500) and will be offered at a level consistent with the relevant experience, knowledge, qualifications, training, certifications, and skills proficiency of the candidate. We provide comprehensive insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, life), paid time off, generous retirement contributions, tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans, excellent work/life balance, and training and professional growth/promotional opportunities.

Candidates must have some related experience in manual work such as landscaping, tree maintenance, mowing, grounds maintenance, or other related field . Experience using hand tools, mowers, trimmers, and other portable power tools is desirable. If you possess a valid Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement ("N") at the time of hire, and/or can demonstrate proficiency in meeting required skill levels, you may be eligible to be hired above the Public Service Worker I level.

As a Public Service Worker on the Landscaping & Forestry crew, you will assist in maintaining more than 91 properties, placing over 800 yards of mulch, planting 150 trees, and trimming more than 2,500 trees each year. You will be joining a hard-working and collaborative team committed to keeping the City beautiful and well-maintained and exceeding the expectations of our residents and visitors to our community.

Job Functions

What You Will Do With Us

Plant, maintain, and water trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Median beautification.
Weed and litter control; mulching and edging.
Prune, maintain, and remove trees; clear trees or landscaped areas after storm or accident damage.
Grounds keeping and maintenance duties such as mowing, trimming, leaf raking/collection, loading and unloading materials and equipment, and picking up/collecting trash.
Traffic control at maintenance sties; install and remove street signage; and install and remove festive lights, decorations, and flags.
Assist with building maintenance and repair work including masonry, carpentry, electrical, and plumbing.
Operate construction equipment during maintenance and repair tasks and transport crew, materials, and equipment to job sites.
Assist with snow removal and ice control and with special projects as needed.
Provide excellent service, pursue continuous improvement, and exceed expectations.

Key job responsibilities are outlined above; please click the link provided to view the complete classification description for the Public Service Worker I/II or the Senior Public Service Worker I/II level. The classification description indicates the full salary range established for each position in the City's FY 2027 Schedule of Salary Ranges to provide opportunity for growth and development (Grade 101 for Public Service Worker I, Grade 102 for Public Service Worker II, Grade 103 for Senior Public Service Worker I, Grade 104 for Senior Public Service Worker II).

Qualifications

What you will need to be considered

Be hard-working, dependable, responsible, punctual, and safety conscious.
Ability to deliver excellent customer service with a positive attitude.
Be able to work cooperatively with others and contribute to a successful team effort.
A valid driver's license and a good driving record.
Be able to perform moderate to heavy manual labor over extended periods of time, possibly under adverse weather conditions.
Ability to operate mowers, tools, and other maintenance and repair equipment in a manner consistent with safety procedures.
Be able to understand and carry out specific oral instructions.
Be at least 18 years of age; high school diploma or equivalent (GED) desirable.
Have some experience (6 to 12 months) performing routine landscape, tree maintenance, construction, or maintenance work, including manual labor experience involving the use of hand tools and portable power tools (desirable).
A valid, unexpired Medical Examiner's Certificate/DOT physical card (may be obtained during pre-employment medical examination and must be maintained throughout employment).
Have the ability to read, write, speak, and understand English to follow safety precautions and work procedures.
Ability to work from equipment of various heights and in confined spaces.
Ability to work weekends, holidays, and overtime when required; and to return to work when designated to be on call for emergency situations or repair work and/or snow and ice removal.
Or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, certifications, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties.

Health Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage – employer pays 85% of premium in each tier
Multi-tiered coverage options (single, single + spouse, single + child, single + children, family)
Retirement Health Savings contribution (for non-participants in medical or dental plans)

Medical Insurance

CIGNA HealthCare Open Access Plan
Prescription Drug Plan
Wellness Initiatives

Dental Insurance

Sun Life Indemnity Plan
Use a dentist of choice or participating dentist for increased savings
Basic or Enhanced Plans offered

Vision Insurance

National Vision Administrators
Use a provider of choice or participating provider for increased savings

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS

Eligible for immediate enrollment in all plans upon hire
401A - Employer contribution equivalent to 8% of employee's annual base salary; fully vested after 5 years
401K – Employer 3% matching contribution on the first 5% of employee's annual base salary contributed by the employee; fully vested after 5 years
401A Supplemental – Additional 5% employer contribution to eligible employees in the Public Works and Police Departments who have physically demanding jobs on a consistent basis; fully vested after 10 years
457-deferred compensation plan and Roth IRA (employee contributions only)

PAID LEAVE

Vacation (12 – 24 days accrued annually; accrual rate based on years of service)
Sick Leave (13 days accrued annually; unlimited accrual)
Personal Leave (28 hours granted annually)
Family Care Leave (up to 8 weeks in rolling 12-month period for eligible employees) to care for newborn/newly adopted/newly placed child or family member
Holidays (11 holidays observed each year)
Volunteer Service (12 hours granted annually)
Jury duty, bereavement leave, military leave (as needed)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Flexible Spending Accounts
Tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans
Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
Long-Term Disability & Workers' Compensation Insurance
Multilingual Stipend ($2,080 per year for eligible employees, paid biweekly)
Language Learning Program (through Babbel)
Housing Stipend (Up to $3,600 per year for eligible employees)
Tuition Assistance (Up to $5,250 per year eligible after 1 year of service)
Healthy Lifestyle Incentives
Employee Assistance Program
First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
Ongoing Training/Personal Development Programs
Credit Union
Recreation & Leisure Opportunities & Discounts
Direct Deposit (required)

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (pdf)

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information ("see resume" is not acceptable) may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?

Are you at least 18 years of age as of the date of this application?

Do you possess a High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)?

Which of the following best describes your overall experience in manual work (such as public works, general construction, landscaping, tree maintenance, mowing, park maintenance, utilities support, and/or general maintenance)?

No experience
Less than 1 year
1 to 3 years
More than 3 years

Do you possess a valid driver's license?

Do you possess a valid Commercial Driver's License?

Yes, Class A CDL
Yes, Class B CDL
I do not possess a CDL

If you answered yes to the previous question, please indicate the State in which the license was obtained, expiration date, and any endorsements or certifications you currently possess.

List any other relevant current professional certifications, licenses, or other credentials that you possess. Include the date completed or attained.

Are you able to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to follow safety precautions and work procedures?

This position may require the ability to work from ladders, scaffolding, and aerial/bucket lifts from various heights. If hired for this position, do you agree that you will be able to fulfill these expectations?

This position may require the ability to work in confined spaces. If hired for this position, do you agree that you will be able to fulfill these expectations?

How did you first learn about this employment opportunity?