Utility Worker - PT to FT Lakeland Electric Engineering

Utility Worker Position

This is an entry-level position for high school graduates who have successfully completed the required electrical industry certification at the Lakeland Electric Power Academy or Traviss Technical College. This position involves learning routine engineering tasks and assisting in engineering, statistical work, mathematical, contract and construction support, or various other utility-related tasks. Additionally, this position receives training and performs a variety of technical office and fieldwork in support of City engineering-related activities. Work is performed under the direction of a supervisor or senior engineering technicians and checked upon completion to ensure quality, accuracy, and completeness. This position is with Lakeland Electric ED Engineering located at 501 East Lemon Street in Lakeland, FL. Utility Workers will work a maximum of 30 hours a week.

Essential Functions

• Performs basic level skills as required in the designated position
• Collect and organize data for use and analysis by higher-level technicians or engineers
• Assist in preparing routine reports, forecasts, studies, legal descriptions, memos, letters, and related activities
• Learn basic procedures of using computer-aided Design Software of the Department's choosing to produce maps, drawings, charts, graphs, and related documents
• Enter data into processing devices using procedures designated by engineers, planners, and others
• Run programs or execute procedures to obtain the necessary output in proper format
• Learn to use various software applications to create presentations, collect data, plot technical data, and calculate statistical averages, statistical trends, rates of change, and percentages
• Assist with preparation of cost estimates
• Learn to use the City's GIS Software and provides maps as required by the Department Learn to read, understand and interpret plans, legal property descriptions, specifications, technical reports, and engineering drawings
• Assist with maintaining an efficient filing and records system
• Position designated Mission Critical

Additional responsibilities include performing related work as required.

Supervisory responsibilities include none.

Qualifications (Education, Training and Experience)

• Graduate from Lakeland Electric Power Academy/Traviss Energy Academy with required industry certification
• Recommendation of the Lakeland Electric Power Academy instructor or a current City of Lakeland/Lakeland Electric employee
• To obtain a full-time Utility Worker position, you must serve six (6) months as a part-time Utility Worker or have six (6) months of experience as an intern or apprentice in the electrical industry.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered

Required: Rsum must be uploaded with the application to be considered for this position.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to build successful working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to follow complex instructions
• Ability to learn utility-specific skills based on position assignment
• Ability to perform physically demanding work (in some positions)
• Ability to properly use hand tools or office equipment appropriate for the position.
• Must maintain City driving privileges/valid Florida driver's license
• Must maintain a valid contact phone number

Working environment/conditions include sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time, exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis, routine keyboard operations. The job risks exposure to no significant environmental hazards. The job requires normal visual acuity, and field of vision, hearing and speaking.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

The City of Lakeland is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and a drug free workplace.

Benefits

City of Lakeland 2026 Summary Sheet Annual Leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows: Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

Sick Leave Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

Sick Leave Pool Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary. For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working. For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees. Defined Benefit Plan: Plan C Employee 4.52% Employer 15.54% OR Defined Contribution Plan: Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire Employer 15.54% Deferred Compensation 457 Plan: A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time. Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250. Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (