Property Maintenance Worker - Limited Term

The City of Rochester now welcomes applications for:

Property Maintenance Worker
(Limited Term)
2 open positions
Rochester Public Utilities

Nature of Work
Under general supervision, the Property Maintenance Worker provides technical, horticultural and leadership knowledge and is responsible for the overall maintenance, care and upkeep of property related to the number of employees, supplies, services, contractors, tools and equipment needed for the maintenance of multiple utility sites and facilities as well as restoration of private property following utility repairs and/or improvements. This position also ensures that the property and sites serve their intended purpose and are compatible with the environment including adjacent property.

The 2025 starting wage for this opportunity will be $32.03 per hour.

The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment or location. 

*Coordinate all activities related to the overall maintenance, care and upkeep of the Service Center, Utility Substations, Well Houses, grounds and facilities, including restoration of utility installations at private sites.

• Determine daily work procedures, prioritize work tasks, plan work schedules, provide work direction to equipment operators and seasonal employees and coordinate daily maintenance activities with the Supervisor to ensure smooth Utility operations and minimum disruption to staff and neighbors.
• Inspect the grounds and related areas to evaluate compliance to management standards, perform or assist subordinates with maintenance activities, improve work methods to accomplish assigned tasks and recommend changes to the Manager of Facility Services for maintenance activities.
• Perform general building maintenance and repairs. Train employees in proper grounds maintenance procedures and safe operation of all maintenance equipment.
• Communicate with and assists the Manager of Facility Services in monitoring services, projects, construction, renovations, and maintenance activities with contractors and grounds staff.

*Maintain appropriate records for all maintenance activities and achieve goals with available and/or allocated resources.

• Track expenditures including water usage and labor costs, etc., and exercises cost control measures to keep operating and capital expenses in line with the approved budget. Keep records of equipment fuel usage and fuel tank access.
• Follow industry safety practices including adherence to relevant regulations pertaining to the application of chemicals; ensure that applicators obtain/maintain the appropriate licensure; keep appropriate records.
• Create purchase orders and properly code expenses for processing and payment. Submit requisitions for the purchase of resources, materials, and products and other related supplies and maintain an adequate supply for all assign areas of responsibility.
• Assist the Manager of Facility Services in developing specifications for equipment and supply purchases and make budget recommendations related to the number of employees, supplies, services, tools and equipment needed for the maintenance of each facility for the following year.

*Install, operate, and maintain automatic and manual irrigation systems.

• Install new irrigation as needed to better maintain property conditions.
• Maintain water schedules for irrigation including turf syringing.
• Perform preventative maintenance, repair, opening and winterizing of the irrigation system.

*Maintain maintenance office and shop.

• Ensure that shop and office are kept clean, organized, safe and neat appearing. 
• Maintain appropriate records and SDS sheets for Right-to-Know compliance related to chemical usage.
• Disseminate information and communicate policies and procedures to seasonal staff.

*Maintain quality property.

• Develop and maintain all property treatment programs including fertilization, sprouting, and pesticide applications. 
• Diagnose/distinguish between turf disease, environmental problems or damage from usage. 
• Identify and resolve turf related problems.
• Maintain property surfaces to acceptable conditions. 
• Schedule, define and oversee and/or assist with the techniques for the routine maintenance of the various properties and vegetative covers at Utility sites.

*Assure that all tools and equipment are properly maintained and kept in the appropriate working condition according to the manufacturer's specifications.

• Schedule and define the techniques for the preventative maintenance and upkeep on all grounds maintenance equipment and tools; 
• Oversee and/or assist with performing routine maintenance, care or repair of equipment.
• Test and repair electrical and hydraulic systems and components. 
• Fabricate, weld and do carpentry as needed or required. 
• Operate reel, rotary and bed knife sharpening machines; set reel to bed knife tolerances through back lapping.
• Ensure that all safety, devices, switches, guards and actuators are in place and proper working condition.

Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.

*ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Education and Experience
A high school diploma or equivalent GED and a two (2) year post-secondary degree in horticulture, turf management, golf course management, landscape maintenance or grounds/horticulture related field with at least three (3) years of experience in horticultural related positions, such as groundskeeper, golf course, or property maintenance operating trucks and machinery such as backhoes, skid loaders, mowers, and excavators
OR
An equivalent combination of education, training and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may also be considered at the discretion of the hiring manager. 

Licenses and Certifications
Valid Minnesota driver's license.

Desirable Qualifications
A Class B Commercial Driver's License
A Pesticide Applicator License
Experience with computer programs such as SAP and Microsoft Office.
Experience in a lead role in Property Maintenance field.

*THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Employees in this position are required to use hearing protection and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

*THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY OF ROCHESTER DRUG TESTING POLICY
The drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures of the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements, including Minnesota Statutes 181.950 through 181.957; the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988; and/or the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).*Pre-employment and/or periodic testing may be required. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES
Ability to: to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos, provide exceptional customer service effectively presenting information in both one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees, apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions, work independently, provide task direction, communicate effectively

Skill in: the principles and practices of grounds and landscape maintenance. 

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:

Continuous demands: standing, walking,
Frequent demands: lifting, climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, twisting, bending, reaching, handling 
Occasional demands: sitting

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, and touch

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)
Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)
Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
Work at heights (such as on scaffolding or ladders)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)
Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.)

Salary : $161