Maintenance Laborer

City of Seattle; Washington; On-site; USD 43,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Parks and Recreation seeks a Maintenance Laborer to support the upkeep of our parks, facilities and outdoor spaces. The role involves helping with grounds and facility maintenance, performing general labor, and assisting skilled trades across diverse units including grounds, custodial, urban forestry, and trash mitigation.

You will work as part of a team to keep parks safe, clean and welcoming for the public, with duties that may include driving, setting up spaces for events, and routine

Qualifications

• One year of experience performing general laboring/manual work involving public facilities construction, repair, and maintenance.
• Experience using hand and power tools to manage vegetation and maintain parks.
• Knowledge of trees, native plants, and weeds, and basic ecological restoration approaches.
• Ability to communicate clearly with SPR and community members.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the work of other employees by planning, training, assisting, monitoring and evaluating the work.
• Assist skilled trade personnel in coordinating and performing skilled work and in maintenance, repair and construction of buildings and other facilities.
• Plan or assist in planning materials, equipment, and staffing for assignments.
• Drive trucks and other motorized vehicles or equipment related to work activities.
• Lead and/or perform office relocations and handling of materials, furniture and equipment.
• Provide care and maintenance for medium or large parks (>20 acres) with multiple facilities.
• Assist in opening/backfilling/shoring trenches and other escalations.
• Maintain bridges, tunnels and drainage systems.

Skills

Organizational skills

Written & verbal communication

Flexibility

Attention to deadlines

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Initiative

Race and Social Justice

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR)

is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities.

About the Position

Maintenance Laborers perform a wide variety of tasks to provide clean, safe, and welcoming parks to the public. The Maintenance Laborer position is utilized in many units within SPR including (but not limited to) grounds maintenance, custodial & facility maintenance, urban forestry & horticulture, and trash mitigation. Staff are assigned to teams and locations based on business needs.

Examples of Duties

• Supervise the work of other employees by planning, training, assisting, monitoring and evaluating the work.
• Assist a variety of skilled trade personnel in coordinating and performing skilled work; will also assist in the maintenance, repair and construction of buildings and other facilities and in preparing walks and streets for asphalt and concrete paving operations.
• Plan or assist in the planning for materials, equipment, and staffing required for work assignments or areas.
• Drive trucks and other motorized vehicles or equipment in connection with work activities.
• Lead and/or perform office relocations and delivery, storage and disposition of materials, forms, furniture and equipment. Perform other building services including motor pool operations, and event set ups, changeovers, and support.
• Provide regular and ongoing care, preparation, and maintenance for medium or large parks (over 20 acres) containing over four distinct outdoor recreational features i.e. ball fields, tennis courts, fountains, picnic grounds, play areas, wading pools, etc.
• Assist in the participation of opening, backfilling, and shoring of trenches and other escalations.
• Assist and participate in the maintenance and repair of bridges, tunnels and drainage systems.
• Perform minor repairs and maintains wooden and metal playground equipment, picnic tables, bleachers, and other outdoor recreation facilities.
• Maintain routine records and reports.
• Mow, edge, and maintenance of lawns using lawn mowers, assigned tractors, edgers, and sweepers.
• Maintain trails and trail features including soft-surface gravel trails, steps, boardwalks, bridges, and trail vegetation management.
• Plant and maintain larger-grade trees in parks and park rights-of-ways.
• Work with volunteers includes planning, oversight, and quality assurance.
• Identification of native plants and weed species and implementation of ecological restoration approaches and practices.
• Maintain turf and/or artificial turf fields.
• Work on or near steep slopes.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management principles and practices.
• Perform other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned and lower-level duties of Utility Laborer and Laborer.

Minimum Qualifications

One year of experience performing general laboring/manual work involving the construction, installation, repair, and maintenance of public facilities (Combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).

Desired Qualifications

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to communicate facts and ideas clearly both in writing and orally.
• Ability to deal with shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to be flexible when work plans change to address emergency work or help other crews.
• Experience working with various computer software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Experience working with a work order system to assign and accomplish tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with members of SPR and the community.
• Outstanding attendance and safety record.
• Experience using hand and power tools to manage vegetation.
• Knowledge of trees, native plants, and weeds, including identification and management strategies.
• Experience using digital tools for work record data collection and entry.
• Individuals that take initiative and are self‑motivated.
• Commitment to the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative policy and practice.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Washington State driver's license is required.
• Other pertinent licenses and/or certifications may be required of some positions depending on department/section assignment.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/orholidays.
• Required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• Frequently required to lift objects up to 50 pounds. May occasionally be required to lift objects weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Occasionally requires handling or working with toxic/hazardous substances.
• Work may be performed in confined spaces and at heights up to 130 feet.
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary range for this position is $37.95 - $37.95 per hour.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long‑term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation - Parks | seattle.gov

SPR’s Core Competencies are

• Accountability & Action:Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high‑quality standards.
• Equity and Inclusion:Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City’s commitment to workforce equity.
• Communication:Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
• Service:An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
• Teamwork:Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.

We recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as chatbots, automated response generators, or language models, can be helpful during the job search process. If you choose to use them, please carefully review all materials before submission to ensure accuracy, as you will be required to affirm that your responses are true and correct during the application process. Submitting inaccurate or misleading information may result in disqualification. Please also note that relying on AI to complete text‑based supplemental questions or during interviews may not accurately represent your skills and experiences, which are critical to applicant success. In some cases, you may be instructed not to use AI tools during the selection process. Learn more about the City of Seattle AI Policy here.