Groundskeeper (Public Works) chez Okaloosa County, FL

About the Department

Performs grounds maintenance, irrigation, and landscaping tasks.

Position Duties

• Performs grounds maintenance (mowing, edging, trimming, pruning planting, fertilizing), irrigation, and landscaping tasks. • Operates various hand-held manual, electrical and gas-powered tools and equipment (e.g., lawn mower, chainsaw, weed eater, blower, hedger, rake, shovel, hammer) to perform maintenance of grounds and facilities. • Removes debris and trash from grounds of county facilities; transports debris to county landfill(s). • Assists with installation of landscaping and irrigation elements; performs irrigation maintenance and repair. • Applies pesticides and herbicides to exterior grounds of assigned facilities as needed; meets all EPA standards and guidelines. • Prepares areas for receiving sod; repairs public safety hazards (e.g., ground holes, loose turf). • Cleans equipment and tools after use; maintains cleanliness and order in assigned storage areas. • Performs maintenance checks and preventive maintenance on grounds equipment; reports equipment malfunctions to Lead Groundskeeper. • Monitors inventory supply levels; requests supplies and materials as needed. • Ensures assigned areas are properly opened each day and secured upon completion of tasks. • Operates county vehicle in the performance of duties. • Responds to emergency situations (e.g. spills, storm debris). • Uses appropriate chemicals and cleaners in a safe and productive manner; ensures personal, staff and public safety. • Moves furniture and other equipment in the performance of duties as needed. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience: High school diploma or GED preferred; supplemented by six (6) months of work experience, preferably in lawn maintenance, landscaping, construction or related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge skills and abilities. Licenses and/or Certifications:: Requires a valid driver license. Ornamental Pest Control or Right-of-Way Pest Control certification required, depending on departmental assignment, within eighteen (18) months of hire. Certification to supervise county inmates preferred.

Other Qualifications

Physical Requirements: Must be able to operate a variety of manual, electrical and gas-powered equipment and tools, including mowers, blowers, edgers, etc. Must be able to exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, 50 pounds of force frequently, or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Must be able to complete work tasks by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities, back muscles and spine. This position requires the ability to work for sustained periods of exposure to outside atmospheric conditions. Prolonged periods of walking and/or standing frequently are required in this position. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work. Language Ability: Requires the ability to communicate effectively in English, including the ability to convey, record and exchange information; requires the ability to explain procedures and to give, receive and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to read and interpret a variety of technical data, policy and procedure manuals, codes, professional journals. Requires the ability to prepare forms and reports using prescribed formats, and adhering to all rules of grammar, spelling, diction and punctuation. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical and/or professional languages used within the parameters of the job and with a broad array of individuals from various professional backgrounds. Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret a variety of technical instructions in written, mathematical or diagrammatic form; to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Numerical Aptitude: Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate levels of stress, imposed by frequent deadlines, peak workloads, or public contact. Requires the ability to exercise consistent tact and courtesy when in frequent contact with various professionals, county staff, and the general public.