The position involves daily work activities of landscape maintenance operation utilizing  landscape equipment to maintain vegetation on transportation rights-of-way throughout Sarasota County as directed by the Operational Manager. This position involves moderate to heavy manual labor and consists of routine and repetitive duties that may be performed without immediate supervision. This position requires knowledge of landscaping and grounds maintenance practices.

Job Description:

• Safely operate, fuel and perform maintenance functions on the following types of equipment: gas-powered string trimmers, stick edgers, pole saws, backpack blowers, chain saws, commercial grade pick-up trucks, trailers, 4-wheel drive utility carts, and other miscellaneous small hand-operated landscape maintenance tools.
• Perform small-engine repairs and perform daily/weekly maintenance and safety checks on all the about listed equipment. These tasks will require the use of pneumatic, power and hand tools.
• Utilize and follow diagrams, maps , written instructions and blue prints to install landscaping according to plans or to perform right-of-way maintenance according to plans.
• Utilizing the above listed equipment for right-of-way maintenance work includes, but is not limited to hand weeding, mulching, digging, turf trimming, tree trimming, hand collection and disposal of litter, removal and installation of plant materials and trees.
•  Work shall normally occur in transportation right-of-ways with active automobile traffic which will require the implementation of appropriate maintenance of traffic-safety standards and wearing of safety equipment. This work is to be done without immediate supervision always available onsite.
• Mowing right- of-ways
• Line-of-sight clearance
• Tree trimming utilizing chainsaws, pole saws and commercial tree chippers
• Maintaining irrigated and non irrigated landscaped medians, including minor irrigation repairs
• Pesticide Applications to maintain landscaped beds and hardscaping areas
• Right-of-way and stormwater area maintenance as required
• Pavers and other hardscape repairs

Work Hours:  40-50 Hours Per Week - 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Minimum Qualifications:  A High School Diploma or equivalent and one year of experience in landscaping, contract mowing or landscape grounds maintenance.   

Preferred Qualifications:  Must obtain Right-of-Way Public Pesticide Applicator’s Certification within (1) year from date of hire.  A valid Driver’s License is required.

Job Competencies:  Ability to operate and perform general maintenance on the equipment and small engine repairs as listed above. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, basic mechanical skills, job safety knowledge. Excellent client/customer service relations. Basic software applications, including but not limited to, email communications, Internet/Intranet searches and operations.

Physical Demands: Must frequently lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. **May be required to lift and move concrete bags weighing 60 pounds.

Pay: $15.05

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! 
• For more information about employee benefits, please click please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms and classes at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

• Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco Free/Drug Free Workplace

  Sarasota County Government promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identification or expression, genetic information, religion, national origin, marital status, age or disability. A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5741.