This is semi-skilled work in field operations associated with lakes management and environmental services. Work includes the operation of heavy equipment and instruments used for aquatic plant management and water quality sampling, field work involving data collection and routine monitoring and vegetation surveys. Work also includes the mixing and application of aquatic herbicides. An employee in this position also performs manual tasks associated with lakes management and environmental programs.

• Assists with the monitoring and/or maintenance of aquatic resources and their watersheds.
• Participates in the transport and deployment of aquatic equipment, tools and/or sampling instruments in accordance with state and federal permits specifications.
• Conducts maintenance, repair, and calibration of equipment and instruments used in aquatic and watershed maintenance and/or scientific characterization.
• Performs manual, mechanical, and chemical vegetation management programs to optimize aquatic resource goals of balanced safety, aesthetics, recreational and fisheries/wildlife concerns.
• Documents activities as required by environmental regulatory agencies.
• Follows and enforces established safety, hazardous materials storage, and spill prevention and cleanup procedures for machinery fluids and pesticides.
• Directs the activities of contractors conducting a variety of maintenance and construction projects in the absence of supervisor.
• Assists with site maintenance and construction activities.
• Marshals the resources needed to complete assigned tasks.
• Conducts routine inspections of sites in area of responsibility, noting deficiencies, correcting them if appropriate and reporting activities to the supervisor.
• Requires physically demanding work that involves walking, standing, stooping, much of it on uneven or broken ground.
• Handles equipment and materials and exerts up to 40 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated Mission Critical.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs related duties as required.

• A high school diploma from an accredited school or its equivalent is required.
• Two (2) years of experience in lakes and aquatic plant management.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a Florida Stormwater Level 1 Certification within one (1) year of hire date.
• Must attend and pass Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Standard Operating Procedures for Water Sampling Course within six (6) months of hire date.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must maintain a valid telephone number.

• Extensive knowledge of practices applied in the maintenance and operation of a wide variety of specialized equipment and instruments.
• Knowledge of safety equipment and procedures used to mix and apply aquatic herbicides and pesticides.
• Knowledge of the identification and systematics of aquatic plants.
• Skilled in the operation of equipment including but not limited to airboat, chain saws and a variety of small watercraft.
• Ability to train, organize and schedule assignments and tasks for field personnel.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other city employees and the general public.
• Ability to operate watercraft and to work comfortably in an aquatic environment.
• Ability to trailer, launch and operate a variety of watercraft, including work boats, airboats, aquatic plant harvester and/or other vessels in accordance with state and federal permit specifications.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires physically demanding work that involves walking, standing, stooping, much of it on uneven or broken ground. Handling of equipment and materials and exerting up to 40 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• The job risk exposure to significant environmental hazards include dangerous chemicals, gasses and wildlife. Exposure to industrial environment and heavy equipment is frequent. Routine outdoor exposure includes but is not limited to dust, pollen, sunlight, heat, humidity, rain, cold, plant resins, biting and stinging insects, etc.
• The job requires normal visual acuity, and field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception and texture perception.
• The job may require work in confined spaces.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE