Operations Support Technician I - Wetlands

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• 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.

• Involved 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 and receives authorization from the supervisor for major repairs and checks history for previous repairs to avoid duplicate part charges.

• Reports required part replacement to supervisor for 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 and locker rooms, chemical feed areas, etc.

• Maintains adequate stock of paper goods, trash bags, and cleaning supplies.

• Assists Operations staff as needed.

• Properly uses and returns to storage the City-owned tools and manuals.

• 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.

• Assist in the training of other fellow employees.

• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.

• One (1) year of experience in general labor and or grounds maintenance work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain an appropriate valid driver's license.

• Must maintain a valid telephone number.

• May be required to pass and maintain quality for:

• Respiratory Protection Physical.

• Pulmonary Function.

• Qualitative and Quantitative Fit Test(s).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• 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.

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 a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.

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

City of Lakeland

2024 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 3.12%

Employer 15.64%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.39%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2024 is $23,000; employees aged 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $7,500. Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Sue Cook at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Kathy McNelis at 834-6348.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services Department at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.