Public Works Right of Way Herbicide Technician

Salary: $18.46 - $30.46 Hourly

Location : 7000 Florida Street Punta Gorda 33950, FL

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 2025-00280

Department: PW - TRAFFIC SIGNS & MARKING

Opening Date: 09/17/2025

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: IUPAT

General Summary & Essential Responsibilities

Performs technical work relating to herbicide management activities in public rights-of-way (ROW). Primary functions involve daily field surveillance, identification, assessment, and treatment of nuisance species in strict compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations. Incumbents will also be responsible for installing, removing, replacing, and relocating and repairing traffic control signs, markings, and navigational aids.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs routine field inspections in County ROW; applies various chemicals or uses non-chemical means to control identified nuisance plant species through the proper and safe operation of mechanical and manual applicators.

Operates gasoline, diesel, and electric equipment including: pick-up trucks, commercial truck-mounted herbicide/pesticide spray equipment; pumps, sprayers, blowers, and pesticide application equipment necessary for the control of targeted species.

Performs pre-trip vehicle, watercraft, and equipment inspections and safety checks prior to use; and cleans vehicle and equipment after use and as needed.

Installs, removes, replaces, relocates, and repairs all traffic control signs and markings and marine navigational aids in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Roadway and Traffic Design standards, US Coast Guard Rules and Regulations, and departmental policies and standards.

Prepares, completes, and maintains work orders and work logs; ensures documentation includes location of signs, sign types, vertical and horizontal measurements of signs, times, dates, retro reflectivity readings of signs and pavement markings, and work completed.

Utilizes a variety of tools and equipment common to legend application and marine maintenance.

Reviews signing and marking conditions, including fading, damage, height, distance, rigidity, obstacles, safety issues, and nighttime reflectivity, in accordance with current state and federal standards and practices; corrects deficiencies.

Provides courteous and accurate information to adjacent property owners, occupants, or county staff regarding the nature of the control activity being performed.

Provides detailed and accurate written and computer reports on all work orders, inspections, applications, inventory, and related activities.

Attends training courses to obtain and maintain required certifications and endorsements.

Performs traffic control; sets up work and safety zones; flags traffic; and may drive variable message board equipped trucks.

Remains on-call on rotational basis.

May be assigned to work on the water vessel, in/near the water (brackish and/or saltwater), to collect marine debris.

Provides exceptional customer assistance, problem-solving, and/or complaint resolution by all forms of communication. Min. Education, Licenses and Certifications

Education and Experience:

An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

High school diploma or equivalent.

One (1) year of experience in applying herbicide and pesticides and installing and maintaining traffic control signs and marine navigational aids.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

Must maintain a valid driver's license.

Must possess and maintain Florida Public Pesticide Applicator's license.

Within six (6) months of position assignment:

Must obtain and maintain Intermediate Maintenance of Traffic certification from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

Boater's Safety Course completion

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of departmental policies, plans, and procedures.

Knowledge of modern office practices, plans, and procedures.

Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other job-related computer programs and software applications.

Knowledge to perform daily field surveillance including the identification, assessment, and treatment of nuisance species in public right-of-way areas, in strict compliance with federal, state, and county guidelines and regulations.

Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, standards, and practices regarding the manufacture, installation, and maintenance of traffic control signs.

Skill in the use of standard computer equipment, tablets, and applicable software applications, including CityWorks, Cartegraph, Sign View, Arc View, Arc Map and assorted GIS programs.

Skill in the safe operation and simple maintenance of mechanical equipment and vehicles used in the application of herbicides necessary to control nuisance species, and the identification of various plant species.

Skill in effective communication, both orally and in writing.

Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.

Skill in the use of office equipment such as a computer, multi-line telephone system, scanner, fax machine, and copier.

Ability to swim in open salt and brackish water.

Ability to operate water vessel.

Ability to learn and comprehend the applicable federal, state, and county rules, regulations, and policies regarding vegetation management.

Ability to file and answer correspondence through phone, email, or other messaging applications, and perform data entry via keyboard and touchscreen.

Ability to use and be responsible for expensive scientific equipment throughout daily activities.

Ability to follow established state and county guidelines.

Ability to operate gasoline, diesel, and electric equipment including pick-up trucks, commercial truck-mounted herbicide/pesticide spray equipment, pumps, sprayers, blowers, and pesticide application equipment necessary for the control of targeted species.

Ability to wear, for extended periods of time, required safety equipment such as respirators and chemical suits.

Ability to make recommendations and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems.

Ability to ascertain priorities and meet deadlines and objectives.

Ability to follow written and oral instructions.

Ability to maintain accurate records and reports.

Ability to perform manual labor, sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions.

Ability to provide internal/external guidance and customer assistance via all forms of communication.

Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.

Ability to author reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, service providers, other employees, and the general public.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception. Frequent lifting of up to 80 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is exposed to outdoor weather conditions or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights, and/or dust.

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS

The position requires some exposure or risk to physical health and/or physical safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, assault and battery, heavy equipment, communicable disease, etc.).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:

All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include temporarily being assigned to work and performing duties outside of the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

Charlotte County is an Affirmative Action, ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to applyAs a veterans' preference employer, certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans' preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply. In addition, certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.

All positions with Charlotte County may be subject to drug testing in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Program and/or County policy.

Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive benefits package to regular full-time employees. Please click on the link below to view information about our benefits.