Chief Parks & Grounds Worker

NRPA Leadership Development Network; West Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of West Sacramento is hiring a Chief Parks and Grounds Worker to supervise daily maintenance of parks, fields, and facilities. You’ll lead crews, coordinate with City departments and contractors, and ensure safety standards are met in all tasks.

Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential. Qualified candidates will have four years in park operations and a valid California driver’s license; supervisory experience is desirable.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Four years of park operations, maintenance and construction experience.
• Previous supervisory experience is desirable.
• Valid California driver's license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning and leading maintenance of parks, fields, trails and facilities.
• Supervise crews, assign tasks and ensure safe work practices.
• Maintain records, schedules and reports; coordinate with vendors and other departments.
• Provide staff training and ensure timely completion of projects.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Supervisory experience

Leadership

Education

High school diploma

College coursework in forestry or horticulture

Job description

Posted: 04-Aug-26
Location: West Sacramento, California
Type: Full-time
Salary: $70,164.00 - $85,476.00 Annual

Are you interested in a rewarding career located in a vibrant riverfront community? West Sacramento is centrally located in Northern California and recognized as a leader in the region and a growing center of commerce and development. The West Sacramento Parks & Recreation Department is committed to building community where pride, purpose and care create inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity, foster belonging and meaningful connection. This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic and innovative team that is dedicated to the Department mission of “Parks Make Life Better”.

Chief Parks and Grounds Worker reports to the Parks Operations Superintendent and provides daily supervision of the maintenance and operations of City parks, sports fields, trails, open spaces, waterfront facilities, restrooms, public art, and other Parks & Recreation assets. The position applies technical knowledge of park and landscape maintenance, supports short- and long-term operational goals, ensures compliance with safety standards through routine equipment inspections and safe work practices, and coordinates with City departments, outside agencies, sports organizations, contractors, and community groups. The successful candidate is a self‑motivated leader with strong communication and problem‑solving skills who delivers high-quality maintenance services while representing the Parks & Recreation Department and the City in a professional manner.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in landscape maintenance, facilities maintenance, irrigation repair, vegetation management, sports field management, pool/spray ground management, general construction, fleet vehicle and equipment maintenance, repair, and management, along with anything else related to a Parks O&M Environment. Previous experience can be attributed to past employment or any other experience working in a Parks/Grounds department, or that of a maintenance or construction background. Previous supervisory experience is highly desirable.

Certifications and licenses such as Certified Pool Operator (CPO), Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM), Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA), Certified Backflow Prevention Tester, Certified Arborist, Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), CDPR Certified Applicator License or Certified Applicator Certificate (QAL or QAC), CPR/First Aid Certification, along with any others pertaining to the Parks/Grounds/Turf/Tree Maintenance field are highly desired.

DEFINITION: The Chief Parks and Grounds Worker performs a variety of tasks required to maintain grounds, parks and recreational facilities. The Chief Parks and Grounds Worker is considered the senior level in this series, providing lead supervision and training to subordinate staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives general direction from the Parks and Grounds Superintendent. Exercises technical and functional direction and training over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: This is the advanced journey level, lead class in the Parks and Grounds Worker series that performs the most complex technical duties related to the City's parks and grounds and recreational facilities. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Responsibilities include inspecting and attending to the assigned areas in a timely manner, performing a wide variety of tasks in the maintenance and repair of City parks and grounds, and providing technical and functional direction over assigned staff. This class is distinguished from the Parks and Grounds Superintendent in that the latter is the full supervisory/management level class responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising and reviewing the work of assigned staff involved in parks and grounds maintenance operations.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists the Parks and Grounds Superintendent in implementing goals, objectives, policies and priorities.
• Plans, prioritizes, leads and reviews the work of crews engaged in parks and recreational grounds maintenance, repair and construction.
• Assigns and performs and supervises various landscape maintenance activities.
• Supervises the preparation and application of chemicals and fertilizers which may require the use of air purifying respirators.
• Prepares and maintains records and reports including work schedules, payroll records, and preventive maintenance schedules.
• Supervises the planting and care of plants, trees, shrubs, and lawn areas.
• Assists with budget preparation and control.
• Provides or coordinates staff training.
• Provides input on the evaluation of assigned staff.
• Ensures adherence to proper safety precautions related to all work performed.
• Responds to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Attends meetings as required.
• Works directly with vendors.
• Maintains, repairs, and inventories park equipment.
• Assigns and performs overall supervision during the Superintendent's absence.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be: Education: High school diploma or equivalent. College level coursework in forestry, horticulture, landscaping or construction is highly desirable.

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in park operations, maintenance and construction. Previous supervisory experience is desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid California driver's license; possession of a pesticide application certificate issued by the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulation is desirable.

Closing Date: 8/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific.

About City Of West Sacramento

The City of West Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability (mental and physical), exercise of the right to family care and medical leave, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, medical condition, national origin, political affiliation, race (including characteristics historically associated with race), religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or genetic information. The City of West Sacramento is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Human Resources Division via phone [phone] or email [e-mail].