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Local Hire Program - Trainee

City of Ocala
FL 34471, FL Full Time
POSTED ON 4/11/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/11/2026
LOCAL HIRE PROGRAM
Candidates are hired as vocational workers for six months on-the-job training at a training wage of $16.06 per hour plus City benefits.

Candidates must reside in the focus area of Census Tract 17, 18, or 20.02. See page 2 of the Target Local Hire Flyer for the map, which outlines the census tracts. Candidates who do not reside within Census Tract 17, 18, or 20.02 are not eligible for the program.

Candidates must complete a job readiness assessment and must be deemed job ready by CareerSource. CareerSource provides this service and will perform job readiness assessments for all candidates at no cost. CareerSource can be contacted at 352-840-5700.

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Customer Service Representative Trainee (Customer Service Office)
Varied and highly responsible customer service position involving contact with the public via in-person, telephone, or email. The person in this role will assist customers with payments, opening and closing accounts, and resolution of bill questions.
Maintenance Worker Trainee (Water Resources)
Routine manual labor work in general maintenance, construction, or labor activities.
Groundskeeper Trainee (Recreation and Parks)
Routine manual labor work in maintenance equipment operation. This includes, but is not limited to, operating various tractors with mowers, flatbed trucks, dump trucks, and a variety of construction equipment.
Recreation Aide Trainee (Recreation and Parks)
Routine work of limited variety and complexity in recreational programs and activities.
Equipment Operator Trainee (Public Works)
Manual and semi-skilled work in maintenance equipment operation. This includes, but is not limited to, operating various tractors with mowers and flatbed trucks. Manual labor involved in general maintenance, construction, and labor activities.
Custodian Trainee (Facilities)
Routine unskilled and semi-skilled labor position performing general custodial duties at City facilities and sponsored events.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Customer Service Representative Trainee
  1. Receives, records, and deposits payments accurately by mail, online, telephone, and in-person. Balances all monies collected with daily collection reports, and maintains daily and monthly customer record reports.
  2. Investigates inquiries regarding electricity (including solar), water, sewer (including industrial waste), solid waste, stormwater, telecom/fiber, and yardlight services; making necessary adjustments to the account.
  3. Assists customers with activation, disconnection, transfer, and installation of services, including bill balances, payment extensions, and arrangements.
  4. Communicates clearly, concisely, and professionally with customers and City personnel.
  5. Understands and follows City ordinances and policies related to billing, fees, payments, and training.
  6. Conducts account research and exercises independent judgment in solving complex problems.
  7. Works independently and in a team environment under stressful conditions while maintaining accuracy.
  8. Handles customer complaints, provides solutions within guidelines, and follows up to ensure resolution.
  9. Clearly and professionally records customer interactions.
Performs other related duties as required or assigned.
Maintenance Worker Trainee
  1. Uses a variety of maintenance equipment including mowers, tractors, weed eaters, hand tools, and light powered tools.
  2. Performs general maintenance duties such as loading/unloading materials, mowing, trimming, sweeping, cleaning facilities, painting, and lifting materials up to 40 pounds routinely.
  3. Performs general preventative maintenance on equipment to ensure safe operating condition.
Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

*May be required to report to work during emergency situations.*
Groundskeeper Trainee
  1. Maintains athletic turf and fields; operates mowers, tractors, field equipment, and automotive equipment.
  2. Prepares and maintains athletic field layouts according to scheduled events.
  3. Performs daily and weekly maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
  4. Operates tractors, dump trucks, tanker trucks, and attachments.
  5. Operates power and hand tools including chainsaws, trimmers, shovels, and mowers.
  6. Performs manual labor such as loading materials, mowing slopes, litter control, and storm pump operation.
  7. Completes record keeping and communicates with employees and the public.
  8. May be reassigned based on operational needs.
  9. Required to report to work during emergency situations.
  10. Supports department special events.
Performs other related duties as required or assigned.
Recreation Aide Trainee
  1. Assists with recreational activities, distributes equipment, and records attendance.
  2. Helps maintain order and checks equipment condition.
  3. Assists with instruction in arts, crafts, dancing, and games.
  4. Performs clerical work and copies schedules.
  5. Answers telephones and provides information on activities.
  6. Provides customer service to City employees and the public.
Performs other related duties as required or assigned.
Equipment Operator Trainee
  1. Performs daily and weekly maintenance of vehicles and equipment.
  2. Operates tractors, dump trucks, tanker trucks, and attachments.
  3. Operates power and hand tools and performs manual labor.
  4. Performs hot patch and concrete repair work as required.
  5. Completes required record keeping.
  6. Communicates professionally with employees and the public.
  7. May be reassigned based on operational needs.
  8. Required to report to work during emergency situations.
  9. Provides support for department special events.
Performs other related duties as required or assigned.
Custodian Trainee
  1. Facility maintenance duties including cleaning and disinfecting restrooms, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping floors and carpets, cleaning windows, doors, furniture, and dusting designated areas. Empties and cleans trash cans and ashtrays. Refills soap dispensers, toilet paper, and paper towels daily. Performs spot cleaning of carpets and upholstery and daily disinfection of common area and lobby furniture as directed.
  2. Inventories cleaning supplies regularly and performs resupply as needed.
  3. Continually monitors building(s) for possible safety hazards.
  4. Performs grounds-related duties including emptying and cleaning trash cans, sweeping, cleaning tables, picking up trash, and cleaning windows, sills, doors, walls, and surrounding areas.
  5. Sets up equipment for events and programs according to written or oral instructions.
  6. Uses City vehicle to pick up needed supplies as directed.
Performs other related duties as required or assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Customer Service Representative Trainee
  • High School diploma or GED required.
  • No prior experience required.
  • Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Must reside in Census Tract 17, 18, or 20.02.
Maintenance Worker Trainee
  • High School diploma or GED preferred, but not required.
  • Six months experience in heavy manual labor preferred.
  • Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Must reside in Census Tract 17, 18, or 20.02.
Groundskeeper Trainee
  • High School diploma or GED preferred, but not required.
  • Six months experience in heavy manual labor preferred.
  • Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Must reside in Census Tract 17, 18, or 20.02.
Recreation Aide Trainee
  • High School diploma or GED preferred, but not required.
  • Minimum of 3–6 months experience dealing with the general public/customer service required.
  • Must be able to read and write.
  • Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Must reside in Census Tract 17, 18, or 20.02.
Equipment Operator Trainee
  • High School diploma or GED preferred, but not required.
  • Minimum of 1–3 months related experience and/or training (in lieu of diploma or GED).
  • Must be able to read and write.
  • Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Must reside in Census Tract 17, 18, or 20.02.
Custodian Trainee
  • High School diploma or GED preferred, but not required.
  • No prior experience required.
  • Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Must reside in Census Tract 17, 18, or 20.02.
REQUIRED LICENSES / CERTIFICATES

Customer Service Representative Trainee
  • Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Operator’s Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.
Maintenance Worker Trainee
  • Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Operator’s Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.
Groundskeeper Trainee
  • Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Operator’s Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.
Recreation Aide Trainee
  • Valid Florida Operator Driver’s License preferred.
Equipment Operator Trainee
  • Valid Florida Operator Driver’s License preferred.
Custodian Trainee
  • Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Operator’s Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.
CENSUS TRACT AND JOB READINESS REQUIREMENTS

All Trainee Positions
  • Candidates must reside in Census Tract 17, 18, or 20.02. See page 2 of the Target Local Hire Flyer .
  • Candidates must complete a job readiness assessment and be deemed job ready by CareerSource. CareerSource provides this service at no cost. Contact: 352-840-5700.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Customer Service Representative Trainee
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. Must be able to analyze customer accounts, communicate payment information clearly and concisely, make rapid and accurate mathematical computations, and correctly apply payments using complex computer systems. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other City Departments, and the general public. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Ability to follow computerized information and properly analyze results. Must have strong organizational and basic computer skills. Must have the ability to work independently, prioritize workload, and meet multiple deadlines.
Maintenance Worker Trainee
Ability to follow written and oral instructions. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other City Departments, and the general public. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

Must be able to communicate clearly and courteously to assist others. Ability to become skillful in the safe operation of standard hand tools, light powered tools, lawn equipment, and a variety of maintenance equipment. Ability to work in varied outdoor elements. Ability to do excessive walking over uneven ground. Ability to learn repetitive tasks quickly.
Groundskeeper Trainee
Ability to read and understand documents such as policy manuals, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to utilize common sense to carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions. Ability to deal with routine problems involving several known variables. Work requires very close and continuous attention and coordination.

Physical Activities:
Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear; frequently required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and up to 100 pounds; frequently lift up to 25 pounds; regularly lift up to 10 pounds. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Environmental Conditions:
Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, toxic chemicals, outdoor weather, and electrical hazards. Frequent exposure to extreme heat. Occasional exposure to high places, wet or humid conditions, radiation, and vibration. Noise levels are usually loud.
Recreation Aide Trainee
Knowledge of one or more activities involved in a community recreation program preferred. Knowledge of the aims of a community recreation program preferred. Ability to instruct program participants in varied recreational activities preferred. Ability to work effectively with co-workers, the general public, and children. Ability to communicate clearly and courteously to assist others.
Equipment Operator Trainee
Physical Activities:
Regularly lifts and/or moves up to 40 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds with assistance. Required vision abilities include depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, reach, talk, and hear; frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, taste, or smell.

Environmental Conditions:
Regular exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Frequent exposure to wet or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. Occasional exposure to high places, fumes, toxic chemicals, extreme temperatures, electrical shock, radiation, and vibration. Noise levels are usually moderate and occasionally loud.
Custodian Trainee
Ability to learn and complete routine and repetitive tasks. Ability to understand and follow written instructions. Ability to communicate clearly and politely. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Ability to maintain positive working relationships with others. Ability to work with minimal supervision. Ability to change priorities to meet customer service needs. Ability to make good decisions regarding appropriate cleaning methods and materials.

Physical Activities:
Continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to stand and walk; frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and to taste or smell; occasionally required to sit, climb, or balance. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and continuously lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Vision requirements include close vision and distance vision.

Environmental Conditions:
Occasional exposure to work in high, precarious places and outdoor weather conditions. Noise levels are usually moderate.

Salary.com Estimation for Local Hire Program - Trainee in FL 34471, FL
$40,252 to $52,498
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