Under general supervision and direction from the Community Navigator Program Manager, the Jobs Program Lead is responsible for leading Jobs Program participants in their daily job duties. They are responsible for working closely with the Fife Parks Department crew leads to identify the projects that are needed throughout the City of Fife. In addition to working and training participants in a variety of landscaping duties, the Jobs Program Lead also supports the participants in establishing healthy and safe work habits and work culture.

The Fife Jobs Program is a year-long, homeless jobs training and transitional housing initiative run by the City of Fife that combines stable shelter with employment support to help individuals experiencing homelessness regain self-sufficiency. Participants live in the city’s tiny house village and, after meeting basic eligibility requirements, are employed through TruFit Staffing to do meaningful, paid work, such as parks and trails maintenance and skill-building training like flagging or forklift certification, while receiving comprehensive case management and life-skills support. The program is designed to address barriers to employment, support personal growth, and foster long-term stability on a path out of homelessness.

Weekly Schedule

• Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• This is a working lead position that will supervise Jobs Program participants.
• Provides direct support to the Parks division and collaborates to identify maintenance needs throughout the parks system.
• Assist in the preparation of daily work schedules and the assignment of work tasks.
• Train participants in park grounds maintenance, including proper horticulture practices, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the performance of a variety of landscaping-focused projects, to include modeling of duties, instructing participants in safe handling of tools/equipment, and instruction/correction of job performance.
• Transport (using a 15-passenger shuttle van with a small trailer) Jobs Program participants to and from the work site and other locations.
• Act as the main point of contact for facilities for the Jobs Program Village.
• Maintain Jobs Program tools and equipment to ensure that they are in safe operating condition.
• Lead training for Job Program participants, including but not limited to:
  • Parks maintenance landscaping duties, ensuring the safe use of tools and methods
  • Developing a positive work culture among participants
  • Identify, cultivate, and support Job Program participants’ skill development and growth.
• Work collaboratively with the Parks division and other City departments to provide support and opportunities to contribute to the benefit of the city.
• Assist with special projects, programs, and/or events in various capacities, as needed.

Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive grounds maintenance as well as operational knowledge of the tools and equipment necessary to perform the work.
• Safe usage and operation of landscape maintenance tools and equipment.
• Requirements of maintaining tools and equipment in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
• Principles and practices of leadership, supervision, and training
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and respect.
• Effective communication and conflict resolution
• Appropriate health and safety precautions/procedures related to grounds maintenance.
• General computer with proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Basic recordkeeping techniques
• Legal and defensive driving practices

Ability to:

• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Work a full-time schedule, onsite (appropriate City worksites), which may include evenings and weekends.
• Obtain within the first 6 months of hire and maintain CPR/First Aid/AED, bloodborne pathogens, and a food handler’s card.
• Obtain within the first year and maintain pesticide spray license, flagger certification, and forklift license.
• Provide work direction and guidance positively and effectively.
• Positively and effectively interact with diverse individuals, including those from the unhoused community.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using the English language.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Work effectively in team environments.
• Exercise initiative and judgment and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.
• Read, interpret, and apply work-related laws, rules, and other regulations.
• Maintain detailed recordsandprepare clear andconcise written reports.
• Meet defined productivityexpectations.
• Use a computer effectively.
• Ability to drive a 15-passenger van with a loaded trailer in tow.
• Operate equipment safely and effectively.
• Interact with the public professionally and courteously.
• Demonstrate physical strength and agility to perform the work safely with normal vision, depth perception, and eye/hand coordination.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Read, write, and speak the English language.

Supervision

This position provides lead duties for up to 12 participants in the Jobs Program while at worksites, to include supervision and guidance. Works closely with all staff in the Jobs Program and the Parks department.

Contacts and Relationships

The Jobs Program Lead will have daily contact with participants within the City of Fife Jobs Program and with the citizens of the community. In addition, they will be expected to present themselves in a manner creditable to the city in all contacts with any individual, agency, court, or jurisdiction with which they may come in contact.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements:

While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience:

• Previous supervisory experience and at least 1 year of experience in parks and grounds maintenance/ landscaping, with a focus on working with diverse populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges

• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for the qualifications listed above.

• Must possess a valid Washington state driver’s license and maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.

• Must pass a comprehensive background check.

• Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of hire.

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Work is performed both in an office setting and in the field, but primarily in the field. The Jobs Program lead will be required to regularly perform normal duties in inclement or severe weather conditions. The employee may have exposure to hazards such as chemicals, insect stings, and temperature extremes. The employee may also have exposure to blood and/or other bodily fluids and communicable diseases. The employee may expect to encounter hostile or violent individuals and may be subject to verbal and/or physical attack or assault from such individuals. Tasks may require the employee to wear protective clothing or equipment. Work is performed with considerable independence.

Physical Requirements:
Work is performed primarily in the field but also in an office setting. Must have visual acuity. Must be able to hear, understand, and operate a two-way radio communication device.
The Jobs Program Lead may encounter emergency situations that may require rapid evacuation of an area to avoid personal injury or assist other individuals and must therefore have the physical ability to walk and run.
Any combination of experience and training that provides the desired skills, knowledge, and abilities may be considered.
Requirements outlined in this job description may be subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment in this position. However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Employer and employee and is subject to change as the needs of the Employer and requirements of the job change.