Operations Support Technician I - Wetlands

This is semi-skilled and skilled-level work involving the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair of grounds maintenance equipment, including small gasoline and diesel equipment, electrical systems, compressors, and other equipment.  Work involves participating in duties requiring physical exertion.  Work is performed with some independence, with more unusual or difficult work being given greater direction and supervision by a supervisor.  Work is inspected by a supervisor while in progress and upon completion. Work may involve the responsibility for inspection, evaluation, and repair of the mechanical conditions of all types of motorized equipment, including final testing (when applicable) to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of work.  Work is reviewed in progress and on final inspection based on results achieved.

• Participates in the work of janitorial services, grounds maintenance, and light construction work at a City Water Utility Facility
• Operates light trucks, tractors, zero-turn mowers, leaf blowers, leaf vacuums, heavy construction equipment, and other motorized equipment. 
• Performs minor plumbing and mechanical work.
• Performs light carpentry work.
• Mows and edges with hand and powered equipment.
• Checks on the mowing and trimming of grass and general maintenance of specific areas.
• Performs the more skilled gardening and pruning work and/or skills related to Water Utility Facility grounds keeping.  
• Weeds and maintains plant beds.  
• Assists with all phases of landscape installation and maintenance.
• Mixes and applies herbicides and fertilizers.
• Cleans and makes minor repairs to equipment; performs routine maintenance on grounds equipment.
• Checks automatic and mechanical sprinkler system clocks, valves, and sprinkler heads.
• Works from oral and written instructions.
• Maintains Water Utility facility sites, including treatment plants, well sites, remote pumping sites, lift stations, and storage areas.
• Completes diagnosis of failed components to find the cause of failure before ordering parts or tearing down equipment to reduce the possibility of ordering unneeded parts, the risk of a shop comeback, and/or excessive downtime.
• Checks with the supervisor for manufacturer's warranty details, receives authorization from the supervisor for major repairs, and checks history for previous repairs to avoid duplicate part charges.
• Reports required part replacement to the supervisor for the order.  Matches failed parts (when possible) with replacement before installation to ensure the correct part was obtained.
• Cleans areas of facilities as needed, including break rooms, restrooms, locker rooms, chemical feed areas, etc.
• Maintains adequate stock of paper goods, trash bags, and cleaning supplies.
• Assists Operations staff as needed.
• Uses and returns City-owned tools and manuals to storage properly.  
• Reports missing or broken tools to the designated supervisor.
• Follows all occupational safety, health, and environmental standards and helps maintain a safe and clean working environment.
• Assists in the training of other fellow employees.
• May be required to participate 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 designated as Mission Critical by Department Director.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs related work as required.

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED. 
• One year of experience in general labor and or grounds maintenance work. 

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain an appropriate valid driver’s license.
• Must maintain a valid telephone number.

• Knowledge of the tools and standard practices of labor operations.
• Knowledge of the operation principles and repair of grounds maintenance equipment, small engine repair, and other equipment used in constructing and maintaining a water/wastewater utility system.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards, safety, and environmental regulations related to the equipment repair trade.
• Skill in the use of tools and in the operation of machines and equipment commonly used in the mechanic's trade.
• Ability to lay out and perform grounds construction and maintenance tasks.
• Ability to keep records.
• Ability to understand and apply safe practices in the use of hand tools and power tools.
• Ability to make minor repairs to broken equipment.
• Ability to use motorized equipment.
• Ability to make inspections of equipment for serviceability, diagnose problems, and to organize repair sequences logically and efficiently.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.  
• Ability to read and comprehend service and operation manuals written in the English language for various types of equipment and to apply that knowledge effectively in completing maintenance and repair tasks.
• Ability to interpret and work from sketches and pencil diagrams.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and supervisors, to work cooperatively with other mechanics, and to maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires medium to heavy work that involves walking, lifting, stooping, reaching, digging, pushing, raising objects, and/or standing most of the time and exerting up to 100 pounds of force regularly.
• The job risks exposure to adverse weather conditions, wet and dry conditions, bright/dim lights, dust, pollen, extreme noise levels, vibration, traffic, moving machinery, and extreme heat and or cold.
• The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception. 
• The job involves working in areas inhabited by wildlife (gators, snakes, etc.) and working on uneven surfaces. 

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.