Job Description

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!

The City of Kent is looking for an enthusiastic individual who has experience using various vehicles, machines, tools and other equipment to maintain and control vegetation growth.  The Maintenance Worker I (Street Vegetation) completes a variety of entry level and routine maintenance tasks that beautify City property. The successful candidate will have some experience in maintenance and operations of any section within Public Works Operations. This position may be ideal for you if you enjoy working outdoors and are interested in the preservation of natural resource areas and wetlands.

There is one (1) regular, full-time position available. This is a benefited position represented by the Teamsters union.  

**A cover letter and resume are required with your online application in order for your application to be considered complete.  Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.  Please note that you cannot attach documents to your application after it has been submitted.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding your online application, please call our office at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**

Applications for this position will be accepted through Monday, April 3rd.

This selection process will include a panel interview and a practical exam. Dates for these processes have not been determined, but finalists will be notified of them as soon as possible.

SALARY:

$4,908.00-5,995.00/month, depending on experience

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

Additional information may also be found in the Teamsters contract, which you can access at Human Resources | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

The Maintenance Worker 1 classification within the Public Works Department is a rotating classification whereby the incumbents rotate through Division Sections. Sections may include water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, street, vegetation, solid waste, warehouse, and fleet services.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Field Supervisor or designee, the incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of entry level and routine maintenance tasks related to the operation and maintenance of public works infrastructure.

Work is characterized by assisting with maintenance tasks involved in the construction, alteration, maintenance, and repair of City public works infrastructure. All assignments involve the responsibility for safe use of tools and equipment and the safety of others working in the immediate area.

Work is performed under close direction and supervision of a higher maintenance classification or the Field Supervisor. Assignments are received in the form of detailed project instructions in written, oral or sketch format.  All assignments are reviewed for completeness and accuracy, or the incumbent performs tasks, which provide inherent checks built into the nature of the work.

As an employee within the Public Works Department, actively participate in processes and communications with coworkers to promote/support a culture of engagement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Effectively communicate and respond to customer inquiries and complaints as needed.

Assist in performing minor safety checks, service, adjustments, and repairs on vehicles, equipment, machines, and attachments.

Operate City vehicles/trucks to haul crew, materials, and equipment.

Assist traffic control at worksites by setting up cones, signs, flagging, etc.

In addition, the incumbent of this position shall be trained in the skills and abilities to effectively perform the duties related to the assigned Section.

Operate machines, tools, and equipment necessary to perform duties in Section assigned.

Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

May learn to assist in the operation and maintenance of the water facilities City owned utilities.

May work in a higher-level position as required.

May perform work within other sections for skill set development.

Perform related duties as assigned.

SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL:

HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF:

  • Safe and proper methods, tools, equipment, and materials used in the operation, maintenance and repairs of City owned utilities

  • Basic work hazards and applicable safety precautions

  • Basic health and safety regulations

  • Minor mechanics to perform small repair jobs

  • Vehicle/equipment fluid supply levels and test mechanisms

  • Modern office practices, procedures and equipment including personal computers and related software used in Public Works Operations 

  • Basic recordkeeping methods and techniques

  • Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary as it pertains to the job

BE SKILLED IN:

  • Effectively organizing and expressing ideas through use of oral and written communication

  • Assisting in the maintenance and repair of City owned utilities

HAVE THE ABILITY TO:

  • Perform heavy manual labor for extended periods of time under varying weather conditions

  • Assisting in the operation and maintenance of City utility infrastructure.

  • Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with fellow employees and the public

  • Learn and apply procedures and practices necessary to complete tasks

  • Safely work with hazardous substances, and effectively limit risk to self as well as others

  • Safely and effectively operate vehicles, tools and equipment; appropriately use supplies and materials.

  • Communicate and carry out written and oral instructions and job assignments

  • Obtain the appropriate certificates as required by law, ordinances, and department regulations in area of work employed

  • Read and follow maps

  • Effectively use interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner in the daily tasks assigned

  • Add, subtract, multiply, and divide; compute rate, ratio, fractions, and percent; and draw and interpret graphs and charts

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education: High school diploma, General Education Degree (GED) or equivalent

Experience: Some experience in water/utility repair, maintenance and operations.

LICENSES AND OTHER INFORMATION:

  • Valid Washington State Driver's License, or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment

  • Successful completion of the City's Defensive Driving Course when available.

  • Valid Traffic Control Flagging Card, or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment

  • Valid First Aid/CPR Card, or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment

  • Successfully complete the Confined Space Training as required by WAC 296-62-14511 within 6 months of employment

  • New employees must successfully pass the City's pre-employment driver's records check and all employees must maintain an excellent driving record

  • New employees must successfully pass the City's pre-employment substance abuse screening and physical agility test

  • Must successfully pass a position relevant background inquiry

  • Successfully complete an Excavation Safety course within 6 months of employment

  • Successfully complete forklift training within 6 months of employment

MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Standard and specialized hand and power machines, tools, and equipment used in assisting with maintenance and repairs including, but not limited to, small hand tools, jack hammer, tap machine, cut-off saws, tamper, blower, tripod, portable hoist, winches, chain saws, pumps, generators, weed eaters, lawn mowers, pipe cutter, measuring tape, and air, hydraulic or electronic hammer, pick, bar, shovel.

Motorized vehicles including, but not limited to, 1/4-ton pickup to 1-ton crew truck. May assist in the operation of a variety of other specialized equipment.

The incumbent assists in the operation of a Water Hydro Excavator truck, Vactor truck, or dump truck.

Other equipment includes, but is not limited to, hard hats, safety glasses or goggles, ear plugs or muffs, respirators, rubber or plastic gloves, rubber boots and chemical resistant clothing.

May use typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, telephone, fax, cell phone, electronic tablet, copy machine, and calculator.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and taste or smell. 

The incumbent must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds or more with assistance.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed outdoors, subject to traveling by City vehicle from site to site several times each day.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; regularly works in outside weather conditions, and exposed to changing weather conditions such as rain, sun, and snow; and regularly works in confined spaces, pits, open excavations, and heavy vehicle traffic areas on urban streets. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration and frequently works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock; and occasionally works in extreme cold, extreme heat, and on elevated reservoirs. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to very loud while operating machinery or working near equipment.

The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application Instructions

Please click on the link below to apply for this position. A new window will open and direct you to apply at our corporate careers page. We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply Online