What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buildings & Grounds Specialist position at Okaloosa County?
Salary
$16.54 - $18.19 Hourly
Location
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
25-273
Department
Water & Sewer
Opening Date
10/30/2025
Closing Date
11/12/2025 11:59 PM Central
Performs custodial and grounds keeping work; provides safe, attractive, comfortable, clean and efficient facilities in which to engage in business.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
Education, Training and Experience: High school diploma or GED preferred; supplemented by six (6) months of experience in performing custodial and/or groundskeeping/landscaping tasks, preferably in a commercial or similar institutional environment; 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. Must be able to pass a background criminal history records check ("CHRC."). Must be able to obtain and maintain a Defense Biometrics Identification System (DBIDS) badge.
Other Requirements
Physical Requirements: Must be able to operate a variety of hand-held, gas and electrical equipment and tools, to include mowers, blowers, edgers, vacuum cleaners, strippers, waxers, etc. Requires the ability to exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, or in excess of 50 pounds frequently, or in excess of 20 pounds constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Must be able to perform manual tasks and remain on feet for extended periods of time. Required to work from ladders and personnel-lifts for extended periods of time to complete certain tasks (i.e., cleaning windows and vents; changing light bulbs, etc.). 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 comprehend English, rendered in formats such as cleaning agent instructions, warning labels, equipment operation directions, order forms and other materials related to the job.
Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of common sense understanding to carry out written or oral instructions; to deal with problems involving concrete variables in or from standardized situations; to perform manual labor and machine operations; to make independent judgments in the absence of supervisor; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.
Numerical Aptitude: Must be able to add and subtract totals. May require the ability to 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.
01
Please indicate which best describes your highest level of completed education.
How many years of experience do you possess in performing custodial and/or groundskeeping/landscaping tasks, preferably in a commercial or similar institutional environment?
Please describe your custodial and/or groundskeeping/landscaping experience (If none, please enter "NA") in the space provided.
04
Do you possess any commercial custodial and/or groundskeeping/landscaping experience?
This position requires the ability to pass a background criminal history records check ("CHRC"). Do you have the ability to pass a background criminal history records check ("CHRC")?
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Defense Biometrics Identification System (DBIDS) Card. To obtain a DBIDS Card, military and civilian individuals must pass the military installation's screening requirements. Do you have the ability to obtain and maintain a (DBIDS) card?
Do you possess a valid driver's license?
$16.54 - $18.19 Hourly
Location
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
25-273
Department
Water & Sewer
Opening Date
10/30/2025
Closing Date
11/12/2025 11:59 PM Central
- Description
- Questions
Performs custodial and grounds keeping work; provides safe, attractive, comfortable, clean and efficient facilities in which to engage in business.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
- Operates electrical cleaning equipment (i.e., vacuum cleaners, shampoo machines, high-speed buffers).
- Performs grounds maintenance tasks (i.e., mowing, edging, trimming, planting, irrigation maintenance and repair).
- Responsible for ordering plants, scrubs and fertilizers; consults with nurseries to obtain professional advice on plants, fertilizers and soils.
- Designs and lays out landscaping elements (shrubs and bedding plants).
- Mixes and applies chemicals and fertilizer to grounds to enhance plant growth and the control of weeds and disease.
- Ensures areas are opened daily and secured upon completion of daily tasks (i.e., locking doors and windows, turning off electrical units).
- Performs custodial tasks (i.e., emptying and cleaning waste receptacles; mopping, stripping, waxing, and buffing floors; washing windows; dusting furniture; cleaning vents, fans, walls; sanitizing restrooms, kitchen facilities).
- Performs non-cleaning tasks in general facility maintenance (i.e., changing light bulbs, filling paper and soap dispensers, assisting in setting up for meeting and conferences).
- Responds to spills, broken windows and broken locks.
- Moves furniture and other equipment.
- Cleans equipment and tools after use and maintains cleanliness and order in storage areas.
- Reports equipment malfunctions and maintenance needs to supervisor.
- Performs maintenance on custodial equipment, such as changing vacuum cleaner belts and bags, and changing buffer machine pads.
- Monitors supplies and materials inventory and orders supplies.
- Performs general maintenance and repair to the building, sprinkler system and furniture.
- Performs maintenance on equipment (i.e., greasing, inspecting, painting).
- Distributes newspapers to offices throughout the department's administration building.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education, Training and Experience: High school diploma or GED preferred; supplemented by six (6) months of experience in performing custodial and/or groundskeeping/landscaping tasks, preferably in a commercial or similar institutional environment; 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. Must be able to pass a background criminal history records check ("CHRC."). Must be able to obtain and maintain a Defense Biometrics Identification System (DBIDS) badge.
Other Requirements
Physical Requirements: Must be able to operate a variety of hand-held, gas and electrical equipment and tools, to include mowers, blowers, edgers, vacuum cleaners, strippers, waxers, etc. Requires the ability to exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, or in excess of 50 pounds frequently, or in excess of 20 pounds constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Must be able to perform manual tasks and remain on feet for extended periods of time. Required to work from ladders and personnel-lifts for extended periods of time to complete certain tasks (i.e., cleaning windows and vents; changing light bulbs, etc.). 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 comprehend English, rendered in formats such as cleaning agent instructions, warning labels, equipment operation directions, order forms and other materials related to the job.
Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of common sense understanding to carry out written or oral instructions; to deal with problems involving concrete variables in or from standardized situations; to perform manual labor and machine operations; to make independent judgments in the absence of supervisor; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.
Numerical Aptitude: Must be able to add and subtract totals. May require the ability to 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.
01
Please indicate which best describes your highest level of completed education.
- No formal education completed, but I have relevant experience
- High School Diploma or GED
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors Degree
- Masters Degree or above
- None of the above
How many years of experience do you possess in performing custodial and/or groundskeeping/landscaping tasks, preferably in a commercial or similar institutional environment?
- None
- Less than 6 months
- At least 6 months but less than 2 years
- At least 2 years but less than 4 years
- At least 4 years but less than 6 years
- At least 6 years but less than 8 years
- 8 years or more
Please describe your custodial and/or groundskeeping/landscaping experience (If none, please enter "NA") in the space provided.
04
Do you possess any commercial custodial and/or groundskeeping/landscaping experience?
- Yes
- No
This position requires the ability to pass a background criminal history records check ("CHRC"). Do you have the ability to pass a background criminal history records check ("CHRC")?
- Yes
- No
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Defense Biometrics Identification System (DBIDS) Card. To obtain a DBIDS Card, military and civilian individuals must pass the military installation's screening requirements. Do you have the ability to obtain and maintain a (DBIDS) card?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess a valid driver's license?
- Yes
- No
Salary : $17 - $18