Building & Grounds Assistant

About This Position

Job Description:

Building & Grounds Assistant

Purpose:

Under general supervision, perform custodial, minor maintenance, minor construction and/or grounds keeping tasks in and around City operated buildings, grounds, parks, airports and recreation areas.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Clean building interiors.

• Mix, stir, and pour chemicals.

• Perform grounds maintenance.

• Perform minor building maintenance and repair.

• Operate and maintain assigned vehicles and equipment.

• Set-up and tear-down exhibit halls and ballrooms in compliance with applicable local codes and procedures, ensuring the specifications and needs for each event are met.

• Perform minor construction work such as erecting partitions, building or tearing down walls, painting, building or erecting storage shed.

• Perform routine administrative duties, complete forms, and prepare reports.

• Maintain inventory of materials and supplies, making purchases when needed.

• Handle and account for cash.

• Train new employees to perform basic job duties.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with others.

• Skill in learning simple tasks.

• Skill in operating power tools.

• Skill in lifting and carrying equipment or materials applicable to the assigned work.

• Ability to understand oral and written instructions.

• Ability to read and write English.

• Knowledge of equipment used in janitorial, grounds keeping, or other related work.

• Ability to train others.

• Ability to read and follow floor plan sketches and diagrams.

Minimum Qualifications:

• One (1) year experience related to janitorial or grounds keeping services.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• If assigned to operate vehicles, must possess the appropriate Texas Driver's License for those vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to perform basic computer skills.

• Experienced in cleaning and sanitizing high-use areas, including restrooms, common areas, breakrooms, and event spaces.

• Ability to safely operate commercial cleaning equipment such as floor buffers, power washers, scrubbers, industrial vacuums, industrial carpet extractor machine, industrial wet and dry vacuums and leaf blowers.

• Capable of performing tasks that require prolonged standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and lifting or moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds. 

• Knowledgeable in the safe handling, storage, and use of cleaning chemicals by following safety guidelines.

• Ability to effectively communicate with team members and to report safety or maintenance concerns to the lead and/or supervisor.  

• Ability to provide high-quality customer service and maintain a clean and welcoming environment.

• Ability to drive when necessary, from one work location to another in completion of your duties.

Notes to Candidate:

Buildings & Grounds Assistant with the Austin Public Library Department plays a key role in keeping the library facilities clean and welcoming. This position will perform custodial/janitorial tasks in and around library-operated buildings and property across the Library System. The role requires the ability to stand, walk, navigate stairs, and perform physical tasks such as bending, pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.  Duties will include dusting, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning, and sanitizing public and work areas. Removing trash, responding to safety hazards, and working special event programs by helping with event set-up, breakdown, and haul-away. Additional duties will also include floor stripping and waxing, power washing, and other special projects. Must be able to work in varying temperatures while performing outdoor duties.

Location

Austin Public Library - (Austin Public Library Branches North or South)

Salary Range:

$22.05 to $24.26 per hour

Hours:

Full Time /40 hours per week

Shift Work:

• Wednesday–Friday: 11:30 AM–8:00 PM

• Saturday–Sunday: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

• Days Off: Monday and Tuesday

• Flexibility with schedule is necessary, as this position's hours and shifts may vary to include weekends, nights, holidays, and extended shifts.

• Hours are subject to change based upon Library and business needs.

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information. 

Application Information: 

• A detailed, complete COA employment application is REQUIRED. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine your salary if you are selected for this position.  

• Please be sure to provide a COMPLETE and detailed employment history, including all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.  

• For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.   

• Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

Note: A cover letter and/or resume will NOT be used to substitute for an incomplete job application. 

• Please understand that your job application, cover letter, and resume will be used to measure or assess your written communication skills, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, in helping us screen applications and determine candidates to be interviewed. 

Additional Information: 

• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may be required to drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your

regular job duties. You will be responsible for getting to and from these locations in a timely manner. 

• All new employees are required to attend City of Austin and Austin Public Library training as scheduled and should arrange their outside schedules to accommodate such training. 

• This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies of the same job title that may become vacant (90-day provision). The additional vacancies may include a difference in work location, workweek hours,

and schedule. Filling additional vacancies from this posting is based on the business needs of the department. 

Essential Personnel:

• This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated extraordinary situation or emergency condition, essential employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees, as well as ensure the continuity of essential operations. Essential Employees may be called back in during such events, required to modify their schedule, assigned to a City-designated work site, or retained on-site to assist with operations and recovery.

Driving Requirements: 

This position requires a Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. 

If Selected as the Top Candidate: 

Verification of the minimum qualifications (One (1) year experience related to janitorial or groundskeeping services) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institute. 

VETERAN:

• Veteran candidates will be required to provide a copy of their DD-214

Language:

• Must have the ability to read, write, and speak fluently in English.

Important Note to Applicants: 

• The Austin Public Library reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. 

• Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

• We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

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JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

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EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.