Seasonal Maintenance Worker

City of Portland•Multiple Locations, OR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This entry-level, seasonal position involves learning to perform and then performing primarily unskilled or limited semi-skilled work, either manually or with small power tools. Work may be completed independently or as part of a crew. Tasks are performed under direct supervision, though once routines are established, oversight may shift to periodic review rather than on-site direction. Employees help maintain a variety of public spaces and facilities, such as parks, landscaped areas, sports fields, recreational features, and essential city infrastructure. Duties support the upkeep of clean, safe, and accessible outdoor environments for the community, including work that helps keep streets, walkways, and drainage systems functioning and supports the movement of people, goods, and stormwater throughout the city.

Requirements

Ability to learn and perform manual labor tasks, including medium to heavy physical work for extended periods (standing, squatting, kneeling), and ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Ability to work effectively within a team and independently without direct continuous supervision, and ability to follow directions.
Ability to work respectfully and effectively with co-workers and members of the public from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
Ability to learn and apply job-specific procedures, tools, and equipment relevant to public works operations, including adherence to established standards and documentation requirements.
Ability to communicate clearly, ask questions when needed, and apply judgment to resolve routine issues encountered during field or maintenance tasks.
Ability to learn and use safe working practices, identify hazards, and report safety concerns.
Be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
Ability to pass a Prehire Evaluation that may require a medical exam, screenings, and a physical capacities test (PCT), after an offer of employment has been made and accepted.
A current, valid state driver’s license and meet the City’s “good driver” requirements.

Nice To Haves

If being considered for a Public Works Transportation role (formerly PBOT), applicants must complete Chainsaw Operations and Lockout/Tagout Trainings after hire.

Responsibilities

Push mowing smaller sections of lawn.
Emptying trashcans and performing litter pick-up.
Cleaning restrooms, including restrooms located in parks.
Monitoring irrigation systems and reporting issues.
Assisting Horticulturists with planting, spreading mulch, pruning, and renovating planting beds.
Operating landscape tools such as backpack leaf blowers, powered string trimmers, edgers, and similar hand tools.
Power washing and cleaning hard surfaces.
Weed removal and assisting in monitoring general plant health.
Collecting and hauling green waste and debris.
Watering newly planted trees and other plantings as assigned.
Opening and closing park restrooms, including securing facilities and performing routine checks.
Regular facility maintenance such as restocking supplies, addressing minor restroom issues, and reporting needed repairs.
Irrigation system support including basic troubleshooting and communicating system performance to supervisors.
Horticultural site preparation such as staging materials, organizing tools, and supporting larger planting or renovation projects.
Landscape equipment upkeep including cleaning, storing, and performing basic care of hand tools and powered equipment.
Hard-surface maintenance such as clearing debris from paths, plazas, and park structures.
Plant health monitoring including identifying signs of stress, pests, or disease and reporting observations.
Green-waste logistics including staging debris for pickup and assisting with load organization.
Asphalt and concrete support including assisting with placement, finishing, and cleanup of paving materials.
Thermoplastic pavement marking assistance and cleaning or maintaining street signs.
Graffiti abatement on traffic signs, retaining walls, and other public structures.
Moving equipment and materials including office equipment, furniture, machinery, and field supplies.
Pick-up and delivery tasks for equipment, materials, mail, parts, and supplies.
Inventory and storage support including stocking, sorting, and organizing parts and materials.
Sewer maintenance assistance including supporting sewer repair and cleaning activities.
Work-zone traffic control setup including placing cones, signs, and barricades under supervision.
Basic documentation such as completing forms and writing simple reports on work performed, time, and materials used.
Perform traffic control
Transport equipment and materials
Preparing, maintaining, and striping sports fields.
Other tasks to keep fields safe and ready for use.
Renovate/design fields.
Work at various sporting event tournaments.
Work in a team environment.
Learn and use different small engine equipment.
Fixing garden infrastructure including locks, paths, and garden beds.
Supporting gardener work parties.
Driving large trucks.
Mowing greens, tees, fairways, and rough areas, and maintaining bunkers.
Picking up trash and cleaning restrooms.
Digging, raking, edging, pruning, irrigation, and flower bed maintenance.
Maintaining planters and landscapes outside city-owned buildings.
String trimming, hedge shearing, hand weeding, blowing, and rough area maintenance.
Loading, unloading, and watering nursery plant material and delivering them to work sites.
Cleaning restrooms and removing trash.
Safely operating City-owned vehicles.
Working independently.
Operating small equipment such as edgers, trimmers, and blowers.
Assisting with horticultural projects such as mulching, weeding, edging lawns, watering, and working with volunteers.
Maintaining positive relationships with community members.
Cleaning (removing litter, pressure-washing, etc.) pools and fountains.
Testing water in pools, maintaining water chemistry, backwashing filters, etc.
Assisting with placement, finishing, and cleanup of paving materials.
Cleaning or maintaining street signs.
Graffiti abatement on traffic signs, retaining walls, and other public structures.
Moving equipment and materials.
Pick-up and delivery tasks for equipment, materials, mail, parts, and supplies.
Inventory and storage support.
Supporting sewer repair and cleaning activities.
Placing cones, signs, and barricades under supervision.
Completing forms and writing simple reports on work performed, time, and materials used.
Repairing and maintaining stormwater and wastewater pipes.
Removing natural debris from small creeks and ditches.
Assisting utility locators with locating underground stormwater and wastewater pipes.
Assisting with the maintenance of pipes, ditches, and natural drainage systems.
Special projects, both in-office and in the field.
Traffic control and flagging on various projects and locations.
Digging holes for mounting posts and brackets for signs.
Loading vehicles with necessary material and equipment for daily work.
Assisting with end-of-shift cleaning of vehicles, recycling needed metal or wood.
Setting up and taking down daily traffic control for work zones, flagging as needed.
Ensuring the work zone is clean and clear of trip hazards during the construction phase.
Assisting with loading daily equipment or material, such as shovels, wood forms, nails, and hammers).
Assisting with preparation for corner ramp construction, including preparing area for concrete pours.
Cleaning up equipment and vehicles, as needed.
Filling potholes and making small repairs.
Patching the road after a water or sewer line is repaired.
Large paving projects, where several blocks are paved with a new road surface, for example.
Clearing landslides and other natural debris, which may fall onto the roadway.
Operating mowers and weed trimmers.
Hose flushing and power washing.
Loading equipment and materials for daily work.
Cleaning the job site and removing traffic control.
Assisting with emergency response.
Removing hazards in the right of way.
Assisting with landscaping, including invasive species removal.
General building maintenance, including office and meeting space setup, removing garbage, and sweeping floors.
General grounds and equipment maintenance.
Providing customer service at the warehouse front desk.
Assisting with receiving materials.
Replenishing stock.
Getting outdoor pools and fountains open for summer and closed for winter.