JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Building & Grounds Assistant

Purpose:

Under general supervision, perform custodial, minor maintenance, minor construction and/or grounds keeping tasks in and around City-operated buildings, grounds, parks, airports, and recreation areas.

Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Clean building interiors.

• Mix, stir, and pour chemicals.

• Perform grounds maintenance.

• Perform minor building maintenance and repair.

• Operate and maintain assigned vehicles and equipment.

• Set-up and tear-down exhibit halls and ballrooms in compliance with applicable local codes and procedures, ensuring the specifications and needs for each event are met.

• Perform minor construction work such as erecting partitions, building or tearing down walls, painting, building or erecting storage shed.

• Perform routine administrative duties, complete forms, and prepare reports.

• Maintain inventory of materials and supplies, making purchases when needed.

• Handle and account for cash.

• Train new employees to perform basic job duties.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with others.

• Skill in learning simple tasks.

• Skill in operating power tools.

• Skill in lifting and carrying equipment or materials applicable to the assigned work.

• Ability to understand oral and written instructions.

• Ability to read and write English.

• Knowledge of equipment used in janitorial, grounds keeping, or other related work.

• Ability to train others.

• Ability to read and follow floor plan sketches and diagrams.

Minimum Qualifications:

• One (1) year experience related to janitorial or grounds keeping services.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• If assigned to operate vehicles, must possess the appropriate Texas Driver's License for those vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experienced in cleaning and sanitizing high-use areas, including restrooms, common areas, breakrooms, and event spaces.

• Capable of safely operating commercial cleaning equipment such as floor buffers, power washers, scrubbers, industrial vacuums, and leaf blowers.

• Physically capable of performing tasks that require prolonged standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and lifting or moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds. 

• Knowledgeable in the safe handling, storage, and use of cleaning chemicals in accordance with safety guidelines.

• Ability to effectively communicate with team members and to report safety or maintenance concerns to lead and/or supervisor.  

• Ability to drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties

Notes to Candidate:

Buildings & Grounds Assistant – Austin Public Library Department
The Buildings & Grounds Assistant ensures that library facilities remain clean, safe, and inviting for all patrons.  This position is responsible for maintaining both the interior and exterior areas of the library buildings. Responsibilities include cleaning and sanitizing public areas and workspaces, removing trash, setting up and tearing down event spaces, and occasionally, light grounds maintenance.

Work Location:

South Austin Library Locations (Austin, Texas)

Salary Range:

$22.05 to $24.26 per hour 

Hours and Schedule:

Full Time/40 hours per week (Sunday - Thursday)

• Flexibility with the schedule is required. Hours and schedule may vary based on operational or business needs; evenings, weekends, city emergencies, and holidays may be required. 

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Benefits:

• Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click HERE for more information. 

Application Information:

• A detailed, complete COA employment application is REQUIRED. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine your salary if you are selected for this position. 

• Please be sure to provide a COMPLETE and detailed employment history, including all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. 

• For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.  

• Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

• Note: A cover letter and/or resume will NOT be used to substitute for an incomplete job application.

• Please understand that your job application, cover letter, and resume will be used to measure or assess your written communication skills, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, in helping us screen applications and determine candidates to be interviewed.

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Additional Information:

• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

• All new employees are required to attend City of Austin and Austin Public Library training as scheduled and should arrange their outside schedules to accommodate such training.

• This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies of the same job title that may become vacant. The additional vacancies may include a difference in work location, workweek hours, and schedule. Filling additional vacancies from this posting is based on the business needs of the department.

If Selected as a Top Candidate: 

• Verification of the minimum qualification (One (1) year experience related to janitorial or grounds keeping services) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institute

Essential Personnel:

• This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated extraordinary situation or emergency condition, essential employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees, as well as ensure the continuity of essential operations. Essential Employees may be called back in during such events, required to modify their schedule, assigned to a City-designated work site, or retained on-site to assist with operations and recovery.

Veteran:

• Veteran candidates will be required to provide a copy of their DD-214

Language:

• Must have the ability to read, write, and speak fluently in English.

Travel: 

If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations. 

Driving Requirements: 

This position requires a Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. 

Important Note to Applicants: 

• The Austin Public Library reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. 

90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancies:

• This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies of the same job title that may become vacant. The additional vacancies may include a difference in work location, workweek hours, and schedule. Filling additional vacancies from this posting is based on the business needs of the department. 

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time. 

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.