The Ocala Future Leaders Academy (OFLA) is the City of Ocala's summer youth employment program. 25 students will be chosen to participate in the Summer 2023 program. The program is open to all youth ages 16-19 who live in the city limits, with a focus on those who reside in census tract 18.

Ocala Electric Utility

• Making AutoCAD drawings.
• Field checking facilities and inventorying them.
• Field checking conduit.
• Assisting in Relay testing and maintenance. (If qualified)
• Assisting engineering techs with assignments.
• Completing minor service requests.

Public Works

• Assisting with the installation and maintenance of Intelligent Transportation System devices (traffic signals).
• Assisting with the repair of potholes.
• Assisting with the repair of sidewalks.
• Assisting with the cleaning of storm drains.
• Assisting with the maintenance and repair of stormwater pipe and structures.
• Assisting with the cleaning of storm drains
• Assisting with the maintenance of drainage retention areas
• Assisting with the mosquito control program
• Assisting with the collection of yard waste
• Assisting with the collection of solid waste (side loader truck)

Ocala Fiber Network

• Pick up materials with fiber techs and assist with installation
• Learn to build connections with fiber techs
• Overview of circuit IDS/GIS information
• Overview of programming equipment
• Go on final installs and assist where needed
• Go on site visits and assist with estimates

Water Resources

• One (1) intern will be chosen to work in Conservation and Administration learning the following:
• Budget
• Staffing
• Project planning
• Contract Management
• Succession Planning
• Public Information
• Water and Wastewater Treatment
• Conservation
• Outreach programming
• Special Projects
• One (1) intern will be chosen to work in Water Plant Operations learning the following:
• Water Treatment Plant
• City water system
• Rules and regulation for water treatment
• Plant treatment process
• Pumps and motors
• Special Projects
• Water Reclamation Facilities
• City sanitary sewer system
• Rules and regulation for waste water treatment
• Collect samples and run lab tests
• Understand role of microorganisms
• Basic plant controls
• Dewatering process
• Special Projects

Information Technology

• Security Concepts
• Customer Service related to Service Desk Tasks
• Web Design
• GIS Concepts
• Importance of Active Directory
• Backup and Restore Tasks
• Managing Office 365
• Application Support Concepts

Customer Service Office

• Greet and sign-in customers
• Assist customers in person, email and/or over the phone
• Retrieve, open, sort mail
• Review and apply billing tasks

Fleet

• Working on small equipment such as lawn mowers, blowers, chainsaws etc....
• Inspection and repairs of Aerial devices
• Repair and maintenance of Refuse and Emergency Response equipment.
• Heavy Off-Road Equipment repair and maintenance
• Administration duties such as filing, creating reports, reviewing technician work orders.
• Parts Management duties such as inventory control, requisition of outside vendor parts, stock replenishment reports and cycle counts

City Clerk's Office

• Clerical duties, filing, etc.
• Answer phones, greeting citizens
• Proof reading ordinances for codification
• Imaging
• Digital conversion of microfilm

Recreation and Parks

• Work in one of the following areas: parks operation, recreation community centers, administration/marketing, Discovery Center, and special events.
• Have an opportunity to assist with planning, organizing, and/or implementing a recreation program with the assistance of a supervisor or coordinator (if assigned to the Recreation Division).
• Assist with parks maintenance which could include removal of invasive plants, spreading mulch and riding along with a Park Ranger. Understand the dynamics of the set-up/breakdown of event equipment (if assigned to the Parks Division).
• Assist with marketing programs and events using various social media platforms. Gain an understanding of event logistics as well as sponsor and vendor management (if assigned to Admin/Marketing).
• Assist with hands-on, interactive education and exhibits (if assigned to the Discovery Center). This intern should have an interest in science, engineering, mathematics or education.

Facilities

Technician:

• HVAC
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Wood Working – Locks – Doors – Keys – Gates
• General – Painting- Pressure Washing – changing light bulbs – moving furniture – hanging pictures etc.
• Speak with all level of employees/contractors/citizen's
• Deal with different types of emergencies – No A/C – roof leaks – elevator down – clog pipes
• Work in all areas - inside – outside – on ladders – in bucket truck

Administrative:

• General office duties – Answer phones/file/deal with vendors-employees-citizen's/pay invoices
• Pay invoices
• Deal with insurance claims
• Work orders//radio experience
• Research products

Open to all youth ages 16-19 who live in the city limits

The Ocala Future Leaders Academy program components include:

Training:

6/5/23-6/16/23: Approximately 25 hours per week of paid job readiness training in partnership with CCF, Ocala Fire Rescue and ICMA-RC includes seminars focused on personal and professional growth, financial literacy and responsibility, and technical job skills and certification. Seminars and training include:

Basic Listening Skills

BLS and CPR Certification taught by OFR

Cultural Diversity

Dealing with Angry Customers

Defensive Driving

Customer Service

Effective Use of Financial Aid

Financial Literacy

Embracing Empathy

Goal Setting

Generational Awareness

Professional Ethics

Sexual Harassment Training

State of the City and Tour of Capital Projects

Team Building

Tours of CCF, Rasmussen College and St. Leo University

Prob. Solving/Conflict Res.

Six Week Employment Opportunity:

6/20/23-7/28/23: six-week employment opportunity with the City of Ocala. Students work 20-25 hours per week. Each student receives guidance from an assigned mentor to assist with learning the job assignment, improving interpersonal skills, and enhancing self-esteem and self-confidence.