My friend worked at a State Park, and he was talking about similar issues with people management. Parks have a tiny full time staff because of budget constraints, and the seasonal nature of the work. Staff mostl coordinates and supervises interns or seasonal workers, and pay is low, so, inevitably, some of the full timers are less than productive. From what I interpret, there’s only one person on staff empowered to deal with poor performers, and that’s the Park Superintendent. He does the hiring and firing.
If he’s not strong, poor performing individuals ride the gravy train for years, and there’s not a lot the lower level managers can do about it.
If he doesn’t honor simple requests, though, there’s no magic formula or system to make him responsible, which is frustrating to not only you, but the interns who end up doing his job, and cleaning up after him.
I think you should have a heart to heart talk with the Park Superintendent and your boss about the guy’s performance. Interns shouldn’t be cleaning out his truck. That’s his job, and he should be told that face to face, in no uncertain terms. Having interns clean up after him only enables unacceptable behavior.
You’re right that maintenance man isn’t a skilled position. You do need someone experienced though, as it’s illogical to expect interns to pick up that function since the turnover of seasonal employees, mostly college students, is so high.
Sounds like the real problem starts with the Superintendent, unless he’s oblivious to the problem.
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