MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT - FINLAY PARK

City of Columbia SC; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

City of Columbia SC is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Worker to support Parks & Recreation through mowing, trimming, and landscaping. You will operate basic lawn care equipment and assist with fields, trails, and facilities, under close supervision.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, no prior experience, and a valid SC Class D driver's license. Candidates must be able to lift heavy loads and follow safety procedures while maintaining public spaces.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• No prior experience required.
• Valid SC Class D Driver’s License required.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting and operate basic tools.
• Ability to follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine grounds maintenance including mowing, trimming, edging, planting, mulching, and watering.
• Operates and maintains equipment such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, blowers, chainsaws.
• Assists in upkeep of athletic fields, playgrounds, trails, and recreation areas.
• Removes litter and debris from grounds and facilities.
• Assists with planting and care of trees, shrubs, flowers.
• Performs minor repairs and preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Setup and breakdown of recreational programs, events, and facility operations.
• General facility upkeep including cleaning restrooms and shelters.
• Adheres to safety procedures and departmental standards.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Basic math

Reading comprehension

Following instructions

Manual dexterity

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Description

This position performs semi-skilled and unskilled maintenance work to support the operations of the Parks & Recreation Department. Work involves grounds and facility upkeep, including mowing, trimming, pruning, landscaping, and debris removal. The position operates a variety of hand and power tools, lawn care equipment, and vehicles to maintain parks, recreation areas, and related properties. Incumbent also assists with general maintenance, equipment care, and other tasks as assigned, working under close supervision and according to set procedures.

The work is considered heavy in nature and involves constantly lifting, pushing or raising objects, exerting between 50 and 75 pounds of force on a recurring basis and over 100 pounds of force on a frequent basis.

The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, toxic/caustic chemicals, disease / pathogens; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs routine grounds maintenance including mowing, trimming, edging, pruning, planting, mulching, watering, and general landscaping of parks, fields, green spaces, and recreation facilities;
• Operates and maintains equipment such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, blowers, chainsaws, and small tractors to complete assigned task safely and effectively;
• Assists in the upkeep of athletic fields, playgrounds, trails, and public recreation areas to ensure cleanliness, safety, and usability;
• Removes litter, debris, fallen branches, and other hazards from grounds and facilities;
• Assists in the planting, pruning, and care of trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf areas;
• Performs minor repairs and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and reports major maintenance needs;
• Assists with the setup and breakdown of recreational programs, events, and facility operations;
• Performs general facility upkeep including cleaning restrooms, shelters, and recreation structures;
• Adheres to all safety procedures and departmental standards while performing maintenance activities;
• Participates in special operations as assigned;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements to Perform Work:

• High school diploma or GED;
• No prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

Special Requirements

• May be required to work additional hours, weekends and holidays, on a rotating basis.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of basic addition and subtraction, such as making change or measuring;
• Ability to compare or inspect items against a standard;
• Ability to follow instructions and orders of supervisor;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring little or no prior experience, such as hand tools;
• Ability to perform routine work using common sense;
• Ability to read simple sentences, instructions or work orders; writing simple sentences and completing simple job forms; speaking simple sentences using basic grammar;
• Ability to perform simple, repetitive manual, clerical or operating tasks following a few definite procedures; requires minor short-term planning; requires little attention for accurate results; and
• Ability to guide others, requiring a few decisions affecting a few co-workers; works in a stable environment with clear and uncomplicated written/oral instructions but with some variations from the routine.

The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long‑term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part‑time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits.