Groundsworker - Horticulture

City of Raleigh North Carolina; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Raleigh’s PRCR Department is seeking a Groundsworker to maintain Destination Parks, including Pullen Park and Raleigh Rose Garden. You will perform general grounds maintenance, assist with planting, mulching, and equipment upkeep, and support storm cleanup and community volunteer events.

This role emphasizes self-motivation and a passion for parks management. Growing responsibilities include operating mowers and landscape equipment, assisting with pesticide applications (spotter), and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of safe outdoor work practices and PPE.
• Experience with groundskeeping and basic maintenance is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform grounds maintenance including mowing, planting, weeding, pruning, and debris removal.
• Rake leaves and operate a leaf blower as needed.
• Pickup litter and remove large debris and storm debris.
• Apply soil, mulch, and compost to city grounds and beds.
• Assist with planting, bed weeding, and weed control support.
• Keep trucks and equipment clean and organized; maintain tools.
• Assist with equipment operation, maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Assist with pesticide applications as spotter for applicator.
• Occasional weather-related cleanups and extended hours during storms.
• Support volunteer events such as plantings and mulching.

Skills

Grounds machinery operation

Pesticide application support

Tree and shrub planting

Turf renovation assistance

Interpersonal communication

Education

High School diploma or G.E.D.

Tools

Ventrac tractor

Mowers and tractors

Job description

The PRCR Department plays a leading role in the quality of life and character of the Capital City. With nearly 10,000 acres of land, 220 parks, and 120 miles of greenway trails, the Department provides a wide range of facilities, amenities, and programs that support the social, cultural, mental, and physical well-being of citizens. The Department is guided by a comprehensive 20-year System Plan that identifies the overall vision of Bringing People to Parks and Parks to People.

The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department is seeking candidates who align with the City's values, is team-oriented, and a leader with passion and vision for parks and serving the community.

This Groundsworker position will focus on providing exceptional experience for our park patrons throughout Destination Parks. The ideal candidate must be self-motivated with passion and vision for parks management. This position will be expected to conduct all aspects of high-level grounds maintenance.

The primary role for this position is to serve and assist within the Parks Maintenance crew at Pullen Park and Raleigh Rose Garden.

• General grounds maintenance duties with assignment varying dependent upon season; mowing, planting, weeding, raking, and pruning as well as raking leaves and/or operates a leaf blower

• Pick up trash and litter; remove large debris including decommissioned park furnishings, illegally dumped items and storm debris

• Places and spreads soil, mulch, and compost throughout city grounds

• Assists crews with planting, flower bed weeding, tree pruning, seeding, watering and preparing for weed control product applications

• Keeps trucks and equipment clean and orderly; maintains and keeps tools and equipment organized

• Performs and assists with equipment operation, maintenance and troubleshooting

• Assist with pesticide applications by acting as a spotter for the applicator

• Other responsibilities may include:

  • Assists the City in cleanup and repair during inclement weather situations
  • May require working extended hours and weekends during storm events
  • Assist with volunteer events such as plantings, mulching, invasive removal, etc

About Us: Pullen Park, the first public park in North Carolina established in 1887, is the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the United States. Sitting on more than 66 rolling acres Pullen Park is comprised of several historic and popular destination sites.

The Raleigh Rose Garden boasts over 1200 roses and 60 varieties with hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, miniatures, and antiques. It is a popular site for weddings and shares property with the Raleigh Little Theatre and outdoor amphitheater.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Education and Experience

High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalency; Less than 1 year experience in groundskeeping, maintenance or related work

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted

Licensing and Certifications

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire

Knowledge Of

• Parks maintenance practices including planting, watering, pruning, mowing, trimming, mulching, litter removal and leaf management
• Preventative equipment maintenance, including replacing worn or damaged parts, sharpening blades, and greasing machinery
• Repair work and preventative maintenance on and installation of tables, benches, fences, signs, etc
• Safe general work practices include appropriate PPE use and situational awareness

Skill In

• Safely operating and maintaining grounds machinery, including push, stand on and zero-turn mowers, Ventrac tractor and implements, standard tractor and implements, string trimmers, edgers, backpack blowers, and other mechanical landscape tools used in grounds maintenance
• Assisting crew in safely applying pesticides, bed preparation, landscape installations, and removal of invasive plants
• Assisting crew installing and watering plants including punning trees and shrubs, sodding, seeding, topdressing, aerating, and/or other turf renovation practices
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills to appropriately and positively interact with coworkers, supervisors, and the public

ADA and Other Requirements

Work Environment and Physical Effort: Medium: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an outdoor and office environment, street environment (near moving traffic) and in or around vehicles. Employees may occasionally work on a construction site, in a warehouse environment, and shop environment.

Work Exposures: There is occasional exposure to individuals who are hostile or irate, Extreme cold (below 32 degrees), Extreme heat (above 100 degrees), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals or substances moving mechanical parts, and loud noises (85+ decibels average over 8-hour working day such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, construction).

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.