Grounds Maintenance Worker II - Lakes & Stormwater

This skilled position is crucial to the maintenance and improvement of City parks and other City-owned properties. It encompasses a range of duties, including grounds maintenance, operating equipment, and performing minor construction work. The role is essential for ensuring that public spaces are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing for community use. The work is subject to review both during and after completion.

• Assists and may lead a small workgroup in maintenance and construction work on various City properties.
• Operates equipment such as trucks, tractors, mowing equipment, front-end loaders, and backhoes for construction and maintenance activities.
• Uses small power-operated equipment, including mowers, edgers, clippers, and other associated equipment used in landscaping and grounds maintenance tasks.
• Performs routine maintenance and minor repairs on equipment, including cleaning and upkeep.
• Carries out various safety inspections as required.
• Checks and repairs automatic and mechanical systems, including clocks, valves, and heads.
• Supervises large work areas in the absence of senior maintenance personnel.
• Interacts with user groups on the properties.
• Participates in emergency response teams for incidents such as natural disasters.
• Performs minor electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
• Executes skilled gardening, pruning, and maintenance tasks.
• Handles all phases of landscape installation and maintenance, including weeding and plant bed maintenance.
• May be required to participate in 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 organization.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.
• Assists with televising and routine inspections of city stormwater systems
• Assists with the operation of vacuum trucks for stormwater maintenance activities
• Assists and leads in the work of a small workgroup in general grounds maintenance at various lakeshore restoration project sites.
• Operates light trucks, spray rigs, utility trailers, and small watercraft. 
• Performs trash pick-up services along lakeshores and/or in project sites.
• Performs visual inspections of general lakeshore conditions, flood gates, lake levels, rain gauges, lake outfall pipes, and reports potential issues.
• Performs light repair services for boats, trailers, boat motors, and motorized landscaping equipment.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS 

• May perform general custodial duties at public facilities.
• May be asked to perform similar work as needed at other facilities.
• May mix pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must maintain a valid telephone number. 
• Must possess and maintain an appropriate, valid driver's license.  
• Must possess and maintain a Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries – Certification, as required by the employing department/division within one year of employment. 
• Must possess and maintain a (Chapter 482) Limited Lawn and Ornamental (LLO) Pesticide Application License as required by the employing department/division within one year of employment.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of tools and their uses.  
• Knowledge of the use of motorized equipment.
• Knowledge of safety precautions for working with and around mechanized equipment, hand tools, and power tools.

ABILITIES

• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to detect and report plant-related problems, such as diseases, lack of water, etc.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, City employees, and the general public. 
• Ability to climb in and out of large trucks.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The job requires heavy work that involves lifting, shoveling, walking, or standing most of the time, carrying 35-50 pounds on a regular and recurring basis, along with exerting up to 100 pounds of force frequently. 
• The job requires climbing in and out of large trucks frequently.
• The job risks exposure to bright/dim light, wet/humid conditions, disease, pathogens, extreme noise levels, traffic, toxic/caustic chemicals, fumes, noxious odors, moving machinery, heights, dusts, pollen, and extreme cold/heat. 
• The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.
• The job may require work in confined spaces. 

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.