Public Space Maintenance Ambassador

Job Description

Job Description

Job Posting: Public Space Maintenance Ambassador

The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) strives to make Downtown a destination of choice for living, working, visiting, and investing. We are the connection to everything happening in the state’s largest business center, cultural district, and fastest-growing neighborhoods. We are the center of it all. We also oversee the Downtown Management Authority (DMA), Baltimore’s oldest and largest business improvement district (BID). DPOB's programs – including uniformed operations teams of Downtown Baltimore Guides and Public Space Maintenance Ambassadors – make the 106-block downtown district more attractive, vibrant, and hospitable.

As a Public Space Maintenance Ambassador, you'll be part of the team that helps keep Downtown Baltimore clean, welcoming, safe, and well-maintained. This is a hands-on, outdoor position focused on the daily care of streets, sidewalks, parks, plazas, and other public spaces throughout the DMA.

You don't need previous public-space maintenance experience to apply. DPOB provides training for the equipment, procedures, and responsibilities required for the position.

What You’ll Do

• Remove litter, trash, debris, weeds, graffiti, stickers, and other waste materials from streets, sidewalks, tree beds, gutter lines, seating areas, and other assigned public spaces.
• Sweep and clean public areas throughout the shift, including areas around and beneath benches and other furniture.
• Empty and clean outdoor trash receptacles and move collected waste to designated pickup areas.
• Perform detailed cleaning of public furniture, fixtures, sidewalks, and other public-space infrastructure.
• Safely remove animal and human waste using required procedures and personal protective equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections of assigned areas and identify cleaning, maintenance, safety, and quality-of-life concerns.
• Report issues such as blocked drains, broken lights, illegal dumping, rodent activity, damaged infrastructure, graffiti, and other concerns through established reporting channels, including 311.
• Assist with events, programs, vendors, special projects, seasonal activities, and other Downtown operations.
• Set up, secure, clean, and maintain public-space furniture and report damaged or unsafe furniture.
• Use hand tools and cleaning equipment safely and effectively.
• When trained, assigned, and qualified, operate DPOB vehicles and specialized equipment, including load packers (trash trucks), Madvacs, and similar riding vacuum equipment, and power washing units.
• Perform required vehicle and equipment inspections and report mechanical, safety, damage, or operational concerns.
• Load, unload, secure, transport, clean, and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Maintain a visible, professional presence in Downtown and interact respectfully with residents, visitors, business owners, event attendees, and other members of the public.
• Follow established routes, schedules, operating procedures, and safety requirements.
• Respond appropriately to urgent situations by notifying a supervisor, dispatch, or emergency authorities when necessary.
• Perform seasonal leaf removal and snow and ice removal as needed.
• Complete required route, work-order, equipment, and operational documentation.

Is This You?

We're looking for someone who takes pride in their work and enjoys being part of a team that makes a visible difference in Downtown Baltimore.

You should be someone who:

• Is at least 18 years old.
• Can follow written and verbal instructions and complete assigned work reliably.
• Can work independently and as part of a team.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with coworkers and members of the public.
• Has reliable attendance and can report to work as scheduled.
• Is comfortable working outdoors and staying active throughout the workday.
• Can safely use hand tools and standard cleaning equipment and is willing to learn to operate additional equipment.
• Can recognize and report safety hazards, maintenance concerns, and other issues in assigned areas.
• Can adapt to changing conditions, priorities, and work assignments.
• Follows established safety procedures, operating guidelines, and site-specific requirements.
• Is willing and able to work early morning, daytime, evening, weekend, holiday, and occasional overtime assignments based on operational needs.
• Is comfortable representing DPOB in a professional manner while working in public spaces and wearing a DPOB uniform.
• A high school diploma or equivalent and previous experience in janitorial services, sanitation, public works, grounds maintenance, public-space operations, equipment operation, or a related field are preferred but not required.
• A valid Maryland driver's license and satisfactory driving record are required for employees assigned to operate DPOB vehicles or certain mechanized equipment.
• Relevant safety or equipment certifications, such as CPR/First Aid/AED or OSHA-related training, are welcome but not required.

Training Provided

DPOB provides training, as applicable to assigned duties, including:

• Cleaning procedures and safe use of cleaning equipment
• Operation of the DPOB load packer, Madvacs, and similar riding vacuum equipment, and power washing units
• Vehicle and equipment inspections and operator-level care
• Safety procedures and proper use of personal protective equipment
• Customer service and public interaction
• Public-space operations and event support
• Emergency response and reporting procedures

Other Requirements

This is an active, outdoor position. Employees should be prepared to:

• Walk and stand for most or all of the workday while moving throughout assigned areas.
• Work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, snow, humidity, and ice.
• Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, twist, and perform repetitive hand movements.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull tools, equipment, supplies, debris, waste containers, and other materials, including items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Push and maneuver carts, trash receptacles, barrels, public-space furniture, and other equipment.
• Safely navigate sidewalks, streets, curbs, stairs, ramps, grassy areas, tree beds, and other uneven outdoor surfaces.
• Work around traffic, pedestrians, vehicles, equipment, noise, dust, dirt, odors, waste materials, cleaning products, and other conditions associated with public-space maintenance.
• Work around animal or human waste when performing assigned cleaning duties. Appropriate safety equipment and PPE are provided and required.
• Interact regularly with the public in highly visible Downtown locations.
• Wear designated uniforms, safety equipment, and PPE appropriate to assigned duties.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Position Type/Expected Work Hours

Position Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

This full-time position starts at $15 per hour, then increases to $18 per hour on the first of the month after 60 days of employment and is eligible for overtime.

The Public Space Maintenance Ambassador position may require early morning, daytime, evening, weekend, and holiday work, as well as occasional overtime, based on operational needs, special projects, events, and seasonal activities.

Employees may be assigned to travel between service areas and operate DPOB vehicles when trained, assigned, and qualified.

We are a collaborative team of hardworking and entrepreneurial individuals who take ownership of how our specific roles contribute to DPOB’s success. We work in cross-functional teams, dedicated to delivering extraordinary results at a fast pace for the citizens and businesses in Downtown Baltimore. We also believe in cultivating and developing our diverse work teams, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

In addition to competitive pay, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes 14 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), 40 hours of Sick and Safe Leave (both prorated to start date), 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a company match, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), pre-tax transit/parking benefits, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.