7-Month Park Technician

City of Des Moines; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 14,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Des Moines is seeking a 7-Month Park Technician to assist with the operation and maintenance of city parks, pools, restroom facilities, and related grounds.

Role involves lifting up to 50 lbs, bending, and working up to 40 hours weekly with variable hours including evenings/weekends/holidays. Requires a high school diploma or GED and at least one year in pool/park maintenance or related fields.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED and minimum one year of experience in pool or park maintenance, turf or custodial work.
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver's license; may require Iowa Ornamental and Turf pesticide license (3OT) and Certified Pool Operator within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Maintain turf grass: soil prep, seeding, pesticide selection and application; advise on seed mixes.
• Plant and maintain landscape areas including trees and shrubs; manage seasonal planting.
• Maintain natural areas: remove invasive species, burns, prairie restoration, trails and pond management.
• Inspect pool operation equipment; repair or plan fixes for filtration and chlorination systems; manage water chemistry.
• Set valves and controllers for filtration; replace filters and purge systems as needed.
• Drive truck or utility vehicle as needed and perform general building/grounds cleaning and maintenance.

Skills

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Physical stamina

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

7-Month Park Technicians are assigned to one of the crews that is tasked to maintain park grounds/pools/restrooms, park ornamentals, park natural resources, cemetery’s, Grays Lake or trails to perform work assisting with the operations and maintenance of various City properties.

Depending on work assignment, may require ability to lift up to 50lbs and frequent bending.

Note: This position is a seasonal 7-Month position (First Monday in April through the last Friday in October). 40 hours per week. Work hours vary on work assignment and may include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Graduation from high school or GED, and minimum one year of experience in one or more of the following areas; swimming pool operation, operating park maintenance equipment or similar machinery, turf grass maintenance, horticulture or landscape maintenance, custodial work.

License or Other Requirements: Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State of Iowa. Possession of valid Iowa Ornamental and Turf (3OT) Pesticide Applicator's license and Certified Pool Operator's certificate or the ability to acquire within six months of hire if required based on job assignment.

• Conducts turf grass maintenance including soil prep and seeding, pesticide selection and application and seed mix recommendation..
• Recommends turf renovation projects and grass seed mix for general and special use turf areas.
• Recommends and may apply pesticides on turf and annual bed areas; applies soil amendments.
• Plants and maintains landscape areas including annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs.
• Maintaining natural areas by removing invasive species, applying pesticide/herbicide, seeding, performing prescribed burns, improving timber stand and water quality, restoring native prairie locations, maintaining bike trails and pond management.
• Inspects pool operation equipment, reports and may repair malfunctioning filtration and chlorination components; develops and implements plans to correct and prevent breakdowns.
• Sets valves and controllers for filtration and chlorination systems; skims grease, replaces sand and purges filter system as needed; checks and adjusts water chemistry.
• Tracks use of chemicals and recommends annual purchases.
• Performs general building and grounds cleaning and maintenance work.
• Performs other facility and site maintenance tasks as assigned.
• Drives truck, utility tractor, or utility vehicle as needed.