Natural Resource Grounds Technician III

City Of Gainesville, FL; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Pension plan

On-site fitness centers

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The City of Gainesville, FL is seeking a semi-skilled maintenance worker to support natural resource maintenance in city parks. You will perform hands-on maintenance, operate equipment, and ensure trails, centers, and facilities are well-kept and safe for the community.

Candidates should have a high school diploma and multiple years of laboring experience, with licensing as required. The role emphasizes skilled work with applicable tools and physical effort in outdoor environments.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; two or more years of laboring work with hand and power tools.
• Public chemical spraying experience preferred.
• Valid driver license; may require CDL depending on assignment.

Responsibilities

• Perform natural areas management and park maintenance.
• Operate and service mowers, tractors, backhoes, and related equipment.
• Maintain trails, boardwalks, centers, and park facilities.
• Assist with safety, cleanliness, and minor repairs as needed.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

Manual dexterity

Planning & scheduling

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two+ years laboring experience

CPR/First Aid certifications

Pesticide license (Ornamental & Turf)

Tools

Power tools

Lawn & maintenance equipment

Job description

Make a difierence 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.

Job Details

Salary Range Minimum: $17.89 Salary Range Maximum: $27.91 Closing Date: 09/17/2026

Job Details: 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.

Job Description

SUMMARY 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.

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

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.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

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.

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.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

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 provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Prefer candidate with public chemical spraying experience.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses 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. Certifications 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

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).

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

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 Note: May Require Assessment(s). May fill multiple positions. May establish an eligibility list.

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
• a deferred compensation plan
• on-site fitness centers
• tuition reimbursement
• on-site medical staff
• wellness program to keep you healthy and happy

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 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.

Other Information

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.