Grounds Technician II

City Of Gainesville, FL; United States; On-site; USD 23,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

11 paid holidays

Pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

On-site fitness centers

On-site medical staff

Job summary

The City of Gainesville is seeking a Community Builder to support Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs in maintaining parks, trails and facilities. You will perform semi-skilled labor, operate small and motorized equipment, and assist skilled workers under supervision.

Qualified applicants have a high school diploma and at least one year of labor, landscaping or park maintenance experience, plus familiarity with hand and power tools. Join a team dedicated to community wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Completion of high school or equivalency diploma and one year experience in laboring work, professional landscape work or park maintenance.
• Experience using hand and power tools and motorized equipment including trucks, trailers, mowers and tractors.
• Ability to work under supervision and perform semi-skilled tasks as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine trail, grounds and landscaping work such as pruning, mowing, weed control and debris removal.
• Installs trees, shrubs and bedding plants and maintains plantings with watering and support structures.
• Operates mowers, tractors, backhoes, dump trucks and trailers to maintain parks and athletic fields.
• Performs maintenance on equipment and vehicle cleaning and basic repairs.
• Provides excellent customer service to citizens visiting parks and attends events as needed.

Skills

Laboring work experience

Park maintenance experience

Hand & power tools

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department

GG_Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Salary Range

Minimum: $16.43

Maximum: $26.40

Closing Date

08/31/2026

Job Details

This is Manual labor performing semi-skilled tasks, or assisting skilled workers. Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under direct or limited supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from higher classes by its lack of supervisory duties and from lower classes by its emphasis on semi-skilled parks maintenance and construction.

Summary

Manual labor performing semi-skilled tasks, or assisting skilled workers. Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under direct or limited supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from higher classes by its lack of supervisory duties and from lower classes by its emphasis on semi-skilled parks maintenance and construction.

Examples of Work

This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower level duties may be required.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs routine trail, grounds and landscaping work, including but not limited to: pruning or trimming vegetation, pulling weeds, mowing, spraying or applying herbicide and fertilizer, raking or blowing leaves, edging curbs, loading trimmings onto truck, picking up trash and blowing or sweeping debris off parking lots and sidewalks.
• Performs basic installation of city trees, shrubs, and bedding plants, including but not limited to: preparing planting sites, digging holes, setting and watering plants and preparing appropriate supporting structures.
• Operates motorized equipment such as mowers, tractors, frontend loader, backhoe trucks, dump trucks, and trailers used to transport materials and equipment to maintain parks, grounds, athletic fields and other areas.
• Operates other equipment as required. Services and washes vehicles. Inspects and perform scheduled preventative maintenance on assigned equipment, including but not limited to: checking and making appropriate adjustments, lubricating, performing fluid and filter changes, replacing components and lighting maintenance and repairs.
• Performs athletic field maintenance, including but not limited to: chalking, dragging and watering infields and warning tracks, packing holes on pitchers mounds, home plates and bullpens, laying out fields, painting lines and bases, picking up trash and removing practice equipment from fields.
• Assists with the maintenance, assembly and repair of recreation equipment.
• Assists or performs basic electrical, carpentry, plumbing, painting, concrete, and other trade work.
• Uses and maintains power hand tools, such as drills, nailing guns and circular saws.
• Performs hand and bench work in a carpentry shop and performs welding and metal repairs.
• Performs excellent customer service by providing information and assistance to citizens who visit the City’s parks or conservation areas.
• Supports City special events and programs by updating, repairing and caring for displays and exhibits, moving and lifting of heavy equipment, tables, and chairs, setting up barricades and other temporary traffic control devices, providing flagging services and cleaning up at the end of events.
• Assists in moving and storing office equipment and cleaning and maintaining buildings and facilities.
• Ensures park facilities are properly secured after normal hours and responds to emergencies and disasters.
• Enforces compliance with building rules and regulations.
• Participates as a member of a trained, professional prescribed burn team.
• Participates as a member of a trained exotic pest plant control team.
• Prepares and/or enters work orders.
• Attends work on continuous and regular basis.

Non-essential Job Functions

• May drive or operate other pieces of light to medium equipment or trucks in the absence of regular equipment operators or truck drivers.
• May act in the absence of supervisor.
• May direct the work of contractors or volunteers.
• May perform work of a lower classification.
• May frequently chauffeur other employees, depending upon assignment and work location.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions. Completion of high school or equivalency diploma and one year experience in laboring work, professional landscape work or park maintenance, including the use of hand and power tools and motorized equipment including trucks, trailers, mowers and tractors and equipment maintenance, repair and construction work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Certifications or Licenses

• A valid Driver License is required.
• Valid Florida Driver License is required within 60 days of appointment.
• May be required to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.
• May be required to obtain and maintain certifications for: S:190/S-130, I-100 and standards of Survival prescribed fire course.
• May be required to obtain State of Florida Dept. of Corrections Inmate Training certification within 6 months.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of types and uses of common hand and power tools, materials, and standard equipment used in grounds keeping, facility maintenance, construction, and repairs. Knowledge of maintenance and construction methods related to parks, athletic fields and recreation equipment. Knowledge of precautions necessary to work safely with tools and mechanized equipment and around the public. Ability to perform manual tasks involving physical strength and endurance under variable weather conditions including working with herbicides and around smoke and extreme heat during prescribed burns. Ability to work effectively with coworkers and the general public, including angry and/or abusive individuals. Ability to read and understand detailed and complex work schedules and diagrams. Ability to work independently with little supervision. Ability to conform to grooming and dress codes (uniforms furnished).

Notes

Pre-employment physical examination required. Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential functions. Work may require performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions. Work may require exposure to hazardous conditions, prolonged noise levels, and noxious chemicals. Work may require performing tasks in and around heavy traffic. May be required to work outside regular business hours depending on departmental needs. Skill in this area will take one or more years to acquire. Note: May Require Assessment(s). May fill multiple positions. May establish an eligibility list.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans' Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.

Benefits

• All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan.
• Great benefits include on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy.

Come join our team!

About the City of Gainesville

The City of Gainesville proudly employs more than 1,500 dedicated community builders who work every day to make a positive impact on our community. Our team includes professionals from a wide range of fields, from creative innovators and financial experts to public safety personnel and critical infrastructure engineers. We offer diverse and rewarding career opportunities across many departments and service areas, including General Government, Gainesville Police Department, Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Information Technology, Gainesville Fire Department, Regional Transit System, and more. No matter your background or expertise, you'll find meaningful opportunities to grow your career while serving the Gainesville community.