Natural Resource Grounds Technician III
City of Gainesville
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
City of Gainesville is seeking a Community Builder to support natural resource maintenance in City parks and nature areas. You will work independently, perform skilled maintenance tasks, and assist in caring for trails, centers and facilities.
The role emphasizes manual labor, operation of park equipment, and collaboration with supervisors to ensure safe, well-maintained park spaces for residents and visitors.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Two+ years of laboring work experience using hand and power tools and motorized equipment.
- Public chemical spraying experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Install city trees, shrubs and bedding plants, prepare planting sites and water as needed.
- Operate mowers, tractors, backhoe and dump trucks to maintain parks and athletic fields.
- Perform scheduled maintenance on equipment and vehicles.
- Provide excellent customer service to park visitors.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Department:
GG_Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs: Natural Resource Management
Salary Range Minimum:
$17.89
Salary Range Maximum:
$27.91
Closing Date:
09/17/2026
Semi-skilled and skilled craft work, working independently or assisting skilled workers.
This position is assigned to the Natural Resource Maintenance section and will primarily work in the City’s Nature Parks. Primary duties will include natural areas management, nature trails and boardwalks, nature centers maintenance and nature park facilities maintenance.
Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from higher classes by its lack of supervisory duties and from lower classes by its emphasis on skilled work requiring an above average degree of skill, knowledge and proficiency.
Semi-skilled and skilled craft work, working independently or assisting skilled workers.
Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from higher classes by its lack of supervisory duties and from lower classes by its emphasis on skilled work requiring an above average degree of skill, knowledge and proficiency.
*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.
Depending on the area of assignment:
Utilizes a specialized knowledge of trees, shrubs, and bedding plants and horticultural practices to perform 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 performs 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 expert care and maintenance activities on athletic fields including, but not limited to, verticutting, aerating, top dressing and installation of clay in-fill materials, 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.
Performs athletic field maintenance activities such as fertilizing, planting, spraying, inspecting, and applying herbicides and pesticides.
Calculates fertilizer rates and calibrates spreaders and sprayers for proper application rates.
Evaluates weed control requirements by physical inspection and identification of vegetation type and extent of infestation.
Selects appropriate chemical agent for control of specific diseases, insects and weeds considering type, infestation, environment and vegetation. Determines appropriate time and schedule for spraying, based on growing season, condition of surrounding areas including water and soil conditions, weather conditions and other variables.
Performs skilled upkeep, maintenance and the assembly and repair of recreation equipment.
Assists or performs skilled electrical, carpentry, plumbing, painting, concrete, and other trade work. Uses and maintains power hand tools, such as drill, nailing gun, and circular saws.
Performs metal fabrication, cutting, welding and metal repairs.
Installs and repairs fencing.
Builds wood structures including pole barns, ramps, sheds, warehouses, pavilions, decks, concrete forms, fences and scaffolding.
Performs hand and bench work in a carpentry shop.
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 a continuous and regular basis.
May drive or operate other pieces of light, medium, or heavy equipment or trucks in the absence of regular equipment operators or truck drivers.
May perform lead work in the absence of crew leader.
May perform the work of a Parks Maintenance Worker I or II classification.
May frequently chauffeur other employees, depending upon assignment and work location.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
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 possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and two or more years’ experience in laboring work including the use of hand and power tools and motorized equipment including trucks, trailers, mowers and tractors, equipment and maintenance, repair and construction work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Prefer candidate with public chemical spraying experience.
Depending on the area of assignment:
A valid Driver License is required with class A or B CDL may be required. A valid Florida Driver License with class A or B CDL may be required within 3 months of hire, depending on job assignment and work location.*
*Information on whether or not a CDL license and which class: A, B, or C is required, will be provided by the hiring department based on their specific needs.
Depending on the area of assignment:
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, and other specialized prescribed fire courses.
May be required to possess a Department of Agriculture Restricted Use Pesticide License, specializing in Ornamental and Turf categories and a Florida Green Industries Best Management Training Certificate of completion within six (6) months of hire.
May be required to obtain Sawyer Certification, Natural Areas Weed Management Certification or other training required to conduct natural resource management maintenance.
May be required to obtain State of Florida Dept. of Corrections Inmate Training certification with 6 months.
Depending on the area of assignment:
Knowledge of types and uses of common hand tools, materials, and standard equipment used in maintenance, construction, and repairs.
Knowledge of horticultural practices and the tools and equipment used in landscape and grounds keeping.
Knowledge of maintenance and construction methods related to parks, athletic fields and recreation equipment and playgrounds.
Knowledge of techniques and equipment used in the application and use of various control chemicals.
Knowledge of spray chemicals used in growth and control of turf and plant materials.
Knowledge of water and air pollution standards as related to chemical spraying.
Knowledge of precautions necessary to work safely with tools and mechanized equipment and around the public.
Knowledge of Florida native plants and non-native invasive species.
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 plans, complex work schedules and diagrams.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and to make sound independent decisions.
Ability to conform to grooming and dress codes (uniforms furnished).
To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.
Pre-employment physical examination required.
Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential functions.
Skill in this area will take two or more years to acquire.
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 department needs
May Require Assessment(s).
May fill multiple positions.
May establish an eligibility list.
Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.
All 'regular' employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.
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 are encouraged to apply. 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.
If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at HR@cityofgainesville.org or by calling 352-334-5077.
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