7-Month Park Technician

City of Des Moines, IA; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 17,192,000 - 21,491,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Des Moines, IA is seeking a Park Technician for a 7-month seasonal assignment (April–October) to maintain park grounds, pools, restrooms, and natural areas. The role supports operations across parks, cemeteries, and trails, with hours that may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, at least one year of relevant experience, and a valid Iowa driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED.
• Minimum one year of experience in one or more areas: swimming pool operation, park maintenance equipment operation, turf grass maintenance, horticulture/landscape maintenance, or custodial work.
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver’s license.
• Possession of Iowa Ornamental and Turf (3OT) Pesticide Applicator’s license and Certified Pool Operator’s certificate or ability to acquire within six months of hire if required by assignment.
• This is a seasonal 7-month position (April to October); 40 hours per week; evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct turf grass maintenance including soil prep, seeding, and pesticide application as needed.
• Recommend turf renovation projects and seed mixes for general and special use areas.
• Apply pesticides on turf and annual bed areas; apply soil amendments as needed.
• Plant and maintain landscape areas including annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs.
• Maintain natural areas by removing invasives, burning or seeding; manage timber stands and water quality.
• Inspect pool operation equipment and repair maladjustments; plan corrective actions.
• Set valves and controllers for filtration and chlorination; monitor water chemistry.
• Track chemical usage and assist with annual purchases.
• Perform general building and grounds cleaning and maintenance.
• Drive trucks or tractors as required.

Skills

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Bending frequently

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.