Water Plant Summer Maintenance Laborer

Job Overview

The City of Ames Water and Pollution Control Department is currently accepting applications for a Water Plant Summer Maintenance Laborer for 2026.

Primary location: 1800 East 13th Street, Ames, Iowa. The position runs approximately from April to August 2026, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM.

Posting is open until filled. In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit an online application by the stated deadline, including complete responses to all supplemental questions and a full work history. Resumes alone are not sufficient.

• Mowing, trimming grass and shrubbery at the plant and remote well and water tower sites.
• Planting new shrubbery, flowers, and grass seed.
• Pulling weeds, raking lawn areas, and operating a gas weed eater around buildings, fences, and tanks.
• Cleaning facilities, remote sites, and washing vehicles.
• Cleaning and repainting floors and equipment as needed.

• Assisting with driving a tractor with mower attachment.
• Preparing surfaces for maintenance projects.
• Assisting with other inside and outside maintenance projects as required.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement, inspiring creativity and innovation, being customer‑driven, making data‑driven decisions, championing employee involvement, striving for excellence, exercising fiscal stewardship, acting with honesty and integrity, exhibiting leadership, choosing a positive attitude, respecting and dignifying one another, promoting safety and wellness, and cultivating teamwork.

For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price and to provide an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.

Required:

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must have a valid driver’s license at time of hire.

Preferred:

• Previous experience in labor, landscaping, or construction.

Knowledge, Abilities, and

Skills:

• Knowledge of hand tools and equipment commonly used in construction or general labor.
• Ability to work with other City employees and the general public.
• Ability to work under general direction and read/interpret maintenance plans, printed materials, and schedules.
• Ability to prepare reports related to daily tasks and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Physical

Activities:

Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, repetitive motions.

Characteristics of Work: 0–5% sitting; 10–40% seated with arm/leg controls; 0–35% standing; 10–35% standing and walking; frequently lifting under 10 lbs; routinely lifting 10–25 lbs; routinely lifting 25–50 lbs; routinely lifting over 50 lbs.

Vision Requirements: Minimum standards for workers operating machines such as lathes, drill presses, power saws, or mills within arm’s reach.

Environmental Conditions: Inside or outside work with exposure to extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, chemical hazards, respiratory and skin‑contact atmospheres, oil, respirator use, confined spaces, darkness or poor lighting, trenches, and isolation.

A variety of motor vehicles and heavy equipment (pickup trucks, trailers, UTVs), measurement and diagnostic tools, general maintenance equipment, hydraulic, air and water hoses, power and hand tools, safety equipment and clothing, and some office and audiovisual equipment.

The selection process includes an evaluation of education, experience, and supplemental questions, an interview, and completion of a criminal background check (including sex‑offender registry and motor vehicle record). All candidates will be notified by email of their application status. Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.