The Public Works Apprentice will work under the guidance of experienced members of the City’s Streets and Drainage Team to gain hands-on experience and training in various aspects of public works operations. This role is ideal for individuals looking to start a career in public infrastructure maintenance and construction.

Job Title: Maintenance Operator I - Public Works Apprentice

Category: Full-Time

Application Closing Date: April 17, 2024, 5:00 p.m.

Salary and Benefits:

• $14.55 Per Hour Minimum
• Annual Step for Performance Pay Adjustments
• 12 Paid Holidays Per Year
• 12 Vacation Days Minimum, Earned Per Year
• 12 Sick Days Earned Per Year
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Benefits
• 401(a) Retirement Plan and Social Security Coverage
• Education/Tuition Assistance Program; and Training and Development Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program – to include Mental Health Assistance/Services

Essential Job Functions:

• Acquires, develops, and hones fundamental infrastructure construction and maintenance trade skills through on-the-job training. Under the guidance of experienced members of the City’s Public Works Department will learn and perform a variety of skilled work in the construction, maintenance, and repair of roads and sidewalks; traffic signal maintenance; underground stormwater infrastructure maintenance; urban forestry, and other functions critical to keeping a City moving forward.
• The in-training apprentice must exhibit enthusiasm for learning and developing their skill-set by being exposed to and performing work within the following specialized areas:
• Street Corridor Maintenance: Work entails constructing, maintaining, and repairing City roads; trimming trees from the ground or a bucket truck, and repairing or constructing new sidewalks within the City.
• Traffic Operation Maintenance: Responsibilities include maintaining traffic pavement markings and signage within the road right-of-way. Traffic signal/highway lighting maintenance. Typical duties include pavement markings of roads along with fabricating, erecting, and repairing street signs.
• Drainage Maintenance: Responsibilities include inspecting, constructing, maintaining, and repairing City flood control facilities and underground stormwater, drainage/erosion control, and water quality protection infrastructure.
• Safely utilizes a variety of tools, hand and power, and assorted vehicles and equipment to perform work. Builds and maintains positive working relationships with immediate co-workers, other state, county, and city employees, along with the public using principles of exceptional customer service.
• Must be available to perform essential job functions outside of regular work hours responding to emergencies, and may be assigned “subject to call” scheduling. his is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of essential job functions; the performance of other essential functions may be required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be driven to learn new skills and willing to put time and effort into building knowledge and experience. Must possess the agility to think critically to resolve issues or problems that may directly impact public safety. Must have good interpersonal skills and a basic understanding of job site safety. Examples of knowledge skills and ability that will be developed include:

Streets Corridor Maintenance:

• Estimating concrete quantities for sidewalk construction and asphalt quantities for roadway repairs;
• Constructing concrete sidewalks;
• Safely operating and maintaining chainsaws;
• Pruning trees from both the ground and a bucket truck;
• Preparing and applying hot or cold asphalt for roadway repairs;
• Operating a variety of heavy equipment i.e. backhoes, front end loaders, etc.;
• Setting up a safe construction work zone within the roadway or right of way;
• Reading and interpreting construction plans;
• Performing basic survey work;
• Repairing and maintaining brick paver sidewalks.

Traffic Operation Maintenance:

• Familiarity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices;
• Fabrication, installation, and maintenance of municipal signs;
• Pavement marking application;
• Traffic signal maintenance/construction;
• FDOT/City corridor traffic timing implementation;
• Decorative/highway lighting maintenance;
• Fiber Optic repair/maintenance;
• Advanced Traffic Management System operation/maintenance.

Drainage Maintenance:

• Maintaining underground stormwater infrastructure including concrete, metal, and plastic pipe;
• Evaluating and repairing drainage/erosion issues;
• Operating/maintaining a vacuum truck and a street sweeper;
• Constructing/repairing headwalls made of various materials and storm inlet structures including welding, metal fabrication, hand forming concrete, and masonry work;
• Performing repairs related to SWFWMD stormwater permits;
• Constructing rain gardens.

Will learn to interact with and use digital record-keeping tools that drive the maintenance of the City’s infrastructure. Must have basic computer literacy (ability to compose an e-mail, provide updates in simple report form, interact with asset management software, etc.), and effectively communicate with internal and external customers (written and oral). Ability to understand and follow instructions (written and oral). Must have the ability to interpret maps and be prepared to learn and adapt as new tools, processes, and practices become available. As part of an emergency response unit, must be able to handle a rapid change in direction associated with environmental conditions.

Minimum Education & Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• Some hand tool use and general construction practices experience preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment, a valid Florida Class B driver’s license with airbrake and tanker endorsement.
• Must have a good driving record as determined by the City of Winter Haven.
• Absence of non-prescribed controlled substances in the applicant’s system as verified by a laboratory approved by the City of Winter Haven.

Physical / Environmental Factors:

• Must have the physical ability, strength, and flexibility to perform the essential job functions in the work environment.
• Work involves difficult working positions and movements of objects weighing up to 95 pounds; operates equipment such as hand tools up to heavy equipment including trucks and backhoes.
• Requires physical ability to perform all job functions including the ability to walk, push, bend, stoop, and carry lift, dig and climb.
• Work is performed outdoors under a variety of environmental climates and conditions.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.
• AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

Our Mission: Enriching lifestyle through exceptional service.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $14.55 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Work Location: In person