Canals, Ditches and Ponds - Stormwater Field Services - R20939

Job Opportunity With Sarasota County Government

Build a career that makes an impact outdoors! Join Sarasota County's Stormwater team and help protect our waterways, infrastructure, and community. Whether your skills are in mowing, vegetation management, heavy equipment operation, or excavation, you'll do meaningful work alongside a dedicated team.

Enjoy a 4-day, 10-hour work schedule with opportunities for overtime. Explore our specialty areas below and apply today!

Career Opportunities Across Multiple Teams:
We have openings in a variety of specialized work areas. Placement into a specific team will be based on current operational needs and available vacancies.

Slope & Travelway Mowing – Skilled Trades Worker:

• Maintain stormwater conveyance systems and roadway rights-of-way through mowing and vegetation management
• Operate specialized equipment, including slope mowers, arm mowers, and zero-turn mowers
• Perform routine equipment maintenance and complete work orders
• Respond to stormwater maintenance concerns and assist with herbicide application and aquatic site work as needed

Aquatic & Vegetation Maintenance – Skilled Trades Worker:

• Maintain canals, ponds, lakes, ditches, and roadway rights-of-way
• Operate specialized equipment, including boats, harvesters, ATVs, and spray rigs
• Apply aquatic and terrestrial herbicides and perform vegetation management
• Respond to maintenance concerns and complete work orders in a timely manner

Roadside Ditch Maintenance & Excavation – Skilled Trades Worker:

• Perform maintenance, excavation, and repair of stormwater conveyance systems
• Operate heavy equipment, including excavators, backhoes, Gradalls, and vacuum/jet trucks
• Restore roadway rights-of-way and respond to stormwater maintenance issues
• Complete work orders and support emergency response activities as needed

Canal Mowing, Maintenance & Excavation – Equipment Operator:

• Operate and maintain heavy equipment used for stormwater maintenance and excavation
• Perform maintenance and repairs on open and enclosed stormwater conveyance systems
• Restore roadway rights-of-way and respond to stormwater maintenance concerns
• Complete work orders and assist with emergency response when needed

Working Hours:

• Operating Days:
  Monday
  - Thursday or Tuesday
  - Friday
• Operating
  
  Hours:
  
  6:30 a.m.
  
  - 5:00 p.m.
• 40-hour work weeks with opportunity of overtime
• * On-Call Required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Skilled Trades Worker I:
  Starting Pay: $20.10 (Step
  1), Potential higher pay (steps) for those with multiple years of experience
• A High School Diploma or its equivalent
• Two (2) years of experience in the construction, maintenance, and repair of stormwater conveyance systems
• Must be able to acquire a Class "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Tanker Endorsement within six (6) months from the date of hire (Paid for by the county!)
• For Aquatic roles only:
  Must be able to obtain a Right-of-Way and Aquatic Applicator license within one (1) year from the date of hire (Paid for by the county!)
• A valid Florida driver's license at the time of hire
• Skilled Trades Worker II:
  Starting Pay: $22.14 (Step
  1), Potential higher pay (steps) for those with multiple years of experience
• A High School Diploma or its equivalent
• Three (3) years of experience in the construction, maintenance, and repair of stormwater conveyance systems
• Must be able to acquire a Class "A" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Tanker Endorsement at the time of hire
• Must have a right-of-way, aquatic, and natural areas applicator license at the time of hire
• A valid Florida driver's license at the time of hire
• Equipment Operator III:
  Starting Pay: $22.14 (Step
  1), Potential higher pay (steps) for those with multiple years of experience
• A High School Diploma or its equivalent
• Two (2) years of experience in the operation and routine maintenance of one or more pieces of heavy equipment such as excavators, loaders, tractors, etc.
• Must be able to acquire a Class "A" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Tanker Endorsement at the time of hire
• Must have a right-of-way, aquatic, and natural areas applicator license at the time of hire
• A valid Florida driver's license at the time of hire

Preferred "BONUS"

Qualifications:

• Experience in operating equipment used for the maintenance and repair of water conveyance systems
• Knowledge of current technology in storm water distribution systems, road right of way maintenance practices, and/or stormwater conveyance systems maintenance practices
• Operation of backhoes, excavators, trenchers, personal computers, and mechanical tools used in the stormwater maintenance industry

Physical Demands:
Must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds

** Subject to Passing Substance Screening:
This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years.