Green Infrastructure (GI) Maintenance Technician

City of Lancaster; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lancaster, PA seeks a Grounds Maintenance Worker to support the Greenscapes Maintenance Division and Stormwater Bureau. You will help maintain green infrastructure BMPs, wetlands, rain gardens, and porous pavements in public spaces, following safety standards and with attention to plant health and community stewardship.

Responsibilities include seasonal plant care, weed control, manual trimming, operating light equipment, maintaining supplies, and assisting vendors and the public.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED.
• CBLP Level 1 Certification or ability to obtain within 12 months.
• Pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Follows safe practices in all duties.
• Maintains vegetated green infrastructure installations and plants.
• Maintains Riparian Buffer projects and tree-related tasks.
• Maintains porous pavements and removes sediment/weeds.
• Operates a 1-ton pickup and light equipment.
• Maintains inventory and assists vendors and the public.
• Responds to snow removal and weather events.

Skills

Groundskeeping

Plant knowledge

Safety compliance

Driver's license

Teamwork

Reading/writing English

Education

High school diploma or GED

CBLP Level 1 Certification

Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (00-Core & 23-Park/School)

Tools

Bobcat UW56 Toolcat

Pressure washer

Hand tools

Pesticide application equipment

Job description

Explore a rewarding career with the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania! Spanning just 7 square miles in south Central Pennsylvania, the City of Lancaster is home to nearly 60,000 diverse residents. The City oversees a range of public services including fire and police, health, housing, parks, streets, as well as water and wastewater for upwards of 120,000 customers in the surrounding region. This work is powered by nearly 600 employees who are committed to the core values of quality, teamwork, integrity, and respect. https://jobs.cityoflancasterpa.gov/

Mayor Arroyo’s Strategic Priorities

• An Economy That Works - Driving equitable growth, empowering small businesses, and creating opportunities that strengthen our community.
• Government That Delivers - Leading with integrity, accountability, and action to meet the needs of every resident and build trust in our city’s future.
• A City Built for Everyone - Ensuring safe streets, quality housing, and a community where every person has the tools they need to succeed.

Our Core Values: Quality. Teamwork. Integrity. Respect.

Primary Functions And Job Details

Supports the City of Lancaster Stormwater Management Program and Greenscapes Maintenance Division in maintaining green infrastructure Best Management Practices (BMPs) affiliated with stormwater infiltration, including constructed wetlands, curbside rain gardens, green roofs, stormwater inlets, porous pavements, bioretention areas, and meadows.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Follows safe practices in the performance of all duties.
• Assists in maintaining the health and appearance of vegetated green infrastructure installations in public spaces through plant installation, plant establishment, plant care, plant replacement, weeding, invasive weed and pest controls, seasonal perennial dividing and cutbacks, litter removal, leaf and debris removal with composting, sediment removal, and structural repairs, as necessary.
• Assists in maintaining Riparian Buffer projects through tree establishment, tree and tree tube care, weeding, invasive weed and pest controls, and seasonal structural pruning.
• Assists in the maintenance of porous pavements, including the removal of sediment and weeds, replacement of stone after vacuuming, and replacement of damaged pavers.
• Assists in the removal of debris and cleaning of inlets and inlet filters associated with green infrastructure installations.
• Assists with light structural pruning of trees associated with green infrastructure installations.
• Operates a motor vehicle (1-ton pickup truck or equivalent) on City streets and highways.
• Operates light equipment including, but not limited to, a Bobcat UW56 Toolcat, tow-behind vactor unit, pressure washer, and equipment utilized in the cleaning of sediment and porous pavements.
• Maintains inventory of maintenance supplies; orders and procures repair parts and supplies for maintenance work in conjunction with the Green Infrastructure Maintenance Supervisor.
• Provides assistance to vendors, contractors, the public, City grounds and maintenance staff, and others as assigned.
• Removes and clears snow as assigned, including curb cut snowpack removal during storm events.
• Carries out other duties as may be assigned by the Greenscapes Maintenance Division and Stormwater Bureau.

Typical Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from high school or completion of a GED is required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in groundskeeping, landscape development, native plant care, or similar maintenance work is required.
• Possession of a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals (CBLP) Level 1 Certification, or ability to successfully obtain one within twelve (12) months of hire, is required.
• Possession of a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (Categories 00-Core and 23-Park/School Pest Control), or ability to successfully obtain one within twelve (12) months of hire, is preferred.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Driver’s License is required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of safe practices related to public works.
• Knowledge of plants native to the region and the ability to identify species, both native and invasive/non-native, for the purposes of cultivation or eradication, whichever may be appropriate.
• Knowledge of grounds and turf management best practices, supplies, and equipment.
• Knowledge of stormwater management best practices in relation to local impact and protection of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
• Knowledge of proper use of personal protective safety equipment, including, but not limited to, fall protection, ear protection, and eye protection.
• Knowledge of safe storage, application, and monitoring of pesticides and herbicides as part of invasive weed and pest control measures.
• Proven ability to use motorized hand-held equipment such as drills, augers, saws, and impact drivers.
• Proven ability to use hand tools such as screwdrivers, hammers, ratchets, wrenches, pruners, loppers, pliers, trowels, rakes, and shovels.
• Proven ability to take accurate measurements and perform basic mathematical and geometric calculations (e.g., length/height, area, and volume).
• Proven ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently, to perform routine operations.
• Ability to utilize hand-held electronic communication devices (e.g. smartphone, tablet, etc.), and applicable software, including but not limited to email and computerized inspection logs, to communicate effectively and report on work performed.
• Proven ability to develop specific goals and plans; prioritize and organize; and accomplish assigned tasks.
• Proven ability to operate a vehicle on private and public streets is required.
• Proven ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations is required.
• Proven ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English is required.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate successfully with others is required.
• Proven ability to adapt to new or changed situations and to show flexibility in making improvements in work processes and operations is required.
• Proven ability to exhibit customer-centered behaviors and to focus on customer needs is required.
• Proven ability to commit to excellence in service and to continuous improvement is required.

Environmental Conditions

• Indoors, environmentally controlled.
• Outdoors, exposed to all-season inclement weather and extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.
• Exposure to noise, dust, pollutants, vehicle exhaust, and caustic chemicals such as herbicides and fertilizers.
• Exposure to a variety of plant life including noxious species, pollen, or other plant-based fine particulates.
• Exposure to common insects and wildlife, including, but not limited to, bees, mantids, wasps/hornets, rodents, birds, and snakes.
• Requires standing for long periods.
• Works around motorized or moving vehicles, equipment and machinery, including active traffic zones.

Safety Equipment Used or Needed

• Personal Protective Equipment such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, rain gear, steel-toed safety shoes, rain boots, and respirators.
• Waders for traversing wet environments up to 48” in depth.

Comments

• Applicants may be asked to undertake written and/or practical testing to evidence their knowledge and qualifications for the position.
• Requires working long hours, and willingness to be available to handle emergency situations and weather events after hours, weekends, and holidays is desired.
• Requires heavy manual lifting up to approximately 75lbs. to shoulder level.
• This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

Applicants must possess valid employment authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must have the ability to work on-site at City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania locations.

Employment Policy

It is the policy of the City of Lancaster to provide fair and equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants are recruited, selected and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, disability, veteran status or national origin.

Accommodations Statement for Job Applications

The City of Lancaster is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] to request a needed accommodation.

The City of Lancaster, PA provides a comprehensive benefits package for all benefits-eligible positions. Available benefits include Medical (PPO and HDHP/HSA options), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance, Pension plans, and 457 Deferred Compensation. Employees also receive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Leave, as well as 13 paid holidays for non-essential positions. Essential positions receive bonus days in lieu of holidays.