Grounds Technician III

City of Gainesville•Gainesville, FL

6d•$18 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Semi-skilled and skilled craft work, working independently or assisting skilled workers. Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from higher classes by its lack of supervisory duties and from lower classes by its emphasis on skilled work requiring an above average degree of skill, knowledge and proficiency. This role involves utilizing specialized knowledge of trees, shrubs, and bedding plants and horticultural practices to perform installation of city trees, shrubs, and bedding plants. It also includes operating motorized equipment, performing expert care and maintenance on athletic fields, and skilled upkeep, maintenance, assembly, and repair of recreation equipment. The position may also involve assisting with electrical, carpentry, plumbing, painting, concrete, and other trade work, as well as metal fabrication, welding, and fence installation/repair. Additionally, the role supports City special events and programs, ensures park facilities are secured, and participates in prescribed burn and exotic pest plant control teams. The job requires excellent customer service and the ability to prepare and enter work orders.

Requirements

Completion of high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
Two or more years’ experience in laboring work including the use of hand and power tools and motorized equipment including trucks, trailers, mowers and tractors, equipment and maintenance, repair and construction work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
A valid Driver License is required with class A or B CDL may be required.
A valid Florida Driver License with class A or B CDL may be required within 3 months of hire, depending on job assignment and work location.
Knowledge of types and uses of common hand tools, materials, and standard equipment used in maintenance, construction, and repairs.
Knowledge of horticultural practices and the tools and equipment used in landscape and grounds keeping.
Knowledge of maintenance and construction methods related to parks, athletic fields and recreation equipment and playgrounds.
Knowledge of techniques and equipment used in the application and use of various control chemicals.
Knowledge of spray chemicals used in growth and control of turf and plant materials.
Knowledge of water and air pollution standards as related to chemical spraying.
Knowledge of precautions necessary to work safely with tools and mechanized equipment and around the public.
Knowledge of Florida native plants and non-native invasive species.
Ability to perform manual tasks involving physical strength and endurance under variable weather conditions including working with herbicides and around smoke and extreme heat during prescribed burns.
Ability to work effectively with coworkers and the general public, including angry and/or abusive individuals.
Ability to read and understand detailed plans, complex work schedules and diagrams.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and to make sound independent decisions.
Ability to conform to grooming and dress codes (uniforms furnished).
Pre-employment physical examination required.
Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential functions.
Skill in this area will take two or more years to acquire.

Nice To Haves

Prefer candidate with public chemical spraying experience.
May be required to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.
May be required to obtain and maintain certifications for: S:190/S-130, I-100 and Standards of Survival, and other specialized prescribed fire courses.
May be required to possess a Department of Agriculture Restricted Use Pesticide License, specializing in Ornamental and Turf categories and a Florida Green Industries Best Management Training Certificate of completion within six (6) months of hire.
May be required to obtain Sawyer Certification, Natural Areas Weed Management Certification or other training required to conduct natural resource management maintenance.
May be required to obtain State of Florida Dept. of Corrections Inmate Training certification with 6 months.
May drive or operate other pieces of light, medium, or heavy equipment or trucks in the absence of regular equipment operators or truck drivers.
May perform lead work in the absence of crew leader.
May perform the work of a Parks Maintenance Worker I or II classification.
May frequently chauffeur other employees, depending upon assignment and work location.

Responsibilities

Utilizes a specialized knowledge of trees, shrubs, and bedding plants and horticultural practices to perform installation of city trees, shrubs, and bedding plants including, but not limited to, preparing planting sites, digging holes, setting and watering plants and preparing appropriate supporting structures.
Operates motorized equipment such as mowers, tractors, frontend loader, backhoe trucks, dump trucks, and trailers used to transport materials and equipment to maintain parks, grounds, athletic fields and other areas. Operates other equipment as required. Services and washes vehicles.
Inspects and performs scheduled preventative maintenance on assigned equipment including but not limited to, checking and making appropriate adjustments, lubricating, performing fluid and filter changes, replacing components and lighting maintenance and repairs.
Performs expert care and maintenance activities on athletic fields including, but not limited to, verticutting, aerating, top dressing and installation of clay in-fill materials, chalking, dragging and watering infields and warning tracks, packing holes on pitchers’ mounds, home plates and bullpens, laying out fields, painting lines and bases, picking up trash and removing practice equipment from fields.
Performs athletic field maintenance activities such as fertilizing, planting, spraying, inspecting, and applying herbicides and pesticides.
Calculates fertilizer rates and calibrates spreaders and sprayers for proper application rates.
Evaluates weed control requirements by physical inspection and identification of vegetation type and extent of infestation.
Selects appropriate chemical agent for control of specific diseases, insects and weeds considering type, infestation, environment and vegetation. Determines appropriate time and schedule for spraying, based on growing season, condition of surrounding areas including water and soil conditions, weather conditions and other variables.
Performs skilled upkeep, maintenance and the assembly and repair of recreation equipment.
Assists or performs skilled electrical, carpentry, plumbing, painting, concrete, and other trade work. Uses and maintains power hand tools, such as drill, nailing gun, and circular saws.
Performs metal fabrication, cutting, welding and metal repairs.
Installs and repairs fencing.
Builds wood structures including pole barns, ramps, sheds, warehouses, pavilions, decks, concrete forms, fences and scaffolding.
Performs hand and bench work in a carpentry shop.
Performs excellent customer service by providing information and assistance to citizens who visit the City’s parks or conservation areas.
Supports City special events and programs by updating, repairing and caring for displays and exhibits, moving and lifting of heavy equipment, tables, and chairs, setting up barricades and other temporary traffic control devices, providing flagging services and cleaning up at the end of events.
Assists in moving and storing office equipment and cleaning and maintaining buildings and facilities.
Ensures park facilities are properly secured after normal hours and responds to emergencies and disasters. Enforces compliance with building rules and regulations.
Participates as a member of a trained, professional prescribed burn team.
Participates as a member of a trained exotic pest plant control team.
Prepares and or enters work orders.
Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.