Public Grounds Seasonal Laborer (Multiple Vacancies)

Spend your summer outdoors helping keep Kirkland beautiful!

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is hiring Public Grounds Seasonal Laborers to join our Grounds Division team. In this role, you'll help maintain the landscapes that make Kirkland shine - from City buildings and medians to green spaces and retention ponds. You'll also play a part in caring for Kirkland's growing urban tree canopy while gaining hands-on experience using a variety of landscaping tools and equipment.

This seasonal role is a great way to build skills and explore a future career in Public Works! Seasonal roles can also be a great foot in the door future full-time opportunities with the City.

These are short-term seasonal positions lasting up to six months.

Job Summary
Performs general labor tasks as assigned to contribute to the development and maintenance of City public grounds. This position may have a significant focus on our urban tree canopy.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Public Works seasonal employees will be responsible for maintaining our landscape infrastructure throughout City owned buildings, medians, and retention ponds. An emphasized focus on supporting the urban tree canopy will be a primary function of this job. This position will also use a variety of manual labor and mechanical techniques to complete tasks during their shift. This is a temporary, seasonal position.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Arboricultural maintenance:
  • Waters street trees using a mobile truck mounted water tank unit.
  • Monitors new trees for pest and health issues.
  • Performs minor pruning as needed.
• Horticultural maintenance: Performs flower and shrub care and garden bed weeding.
• Hand mows storm ponds and spaces not accessible by tractor-mowers.
• Trims grass and cuts weeds with an edger or grass trimmer.
• Removes debris with mechanical blower.
• Makes garbage runs at City facilities, including emptying garbage cans and picking up litter and debris.
• Performs landscape installation to include planting, weeding, and bed maintenance at City of Kirkland facilities and public rights of way. .
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

• Assists with hand equipment maintenance.
• Sets up equipment where necessary.
• Paints and stains as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Basic knowledge and/or experience in landscape services.
• Basic knowledge in landscape maintenance.
• Skills to use basic mowing equipment.
• Basic knowledge of horticulture.
• Ability to read directional maps.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: No minimum education requirement.
• Experience: Basic experience in landscape services.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Must meet minimum age requirements under Department of Labor and Industries regulations.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Must be able to move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Walk, kneel, bend for extended periods of time. Performs work outdoors in inclement weather. May work weekends or staggered schedule.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.