Park Maintenance Worker - Hemet

County of Riverside; Hemet (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Riverside Regional Park and Open-Space District in Hemet is seeking a Park Maintenance Worker to support the MSHCP Reserve Management division. The role involves maintaining wildlands and reserve properties through field maintenance, restoration, and operational activities.

Responsibilities include installing and repairing fencing, weed abatement, vehicle and equipment maintenance, and assisting with habitat restoration projects.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of fencing installation and repair.
• Experience with weed abatement and habitat restoration.
• Experience operating heavy equipment and performing basic vehicle/engine maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Install, repair and maintain fences, gates and barriers.
• Perform weed abatement using string-trimmers, tractors, and herbicides.
• Maintain vehicles, tractors, and small engines; assist with habitat restoration projects.

Skills

Fencing installation/repair

Weed abatement

Heavy equipment operation

Welding

Map reading

GPS navigation

Vehicle maintenance

Education

Conservation-related training

Job description

The County of Riverside's Regional Park and Open-Space District is seeking a qualified Park Maintenance Worker to support the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) Reserve Management division in Hemet.

The Park Maintenance Worker is responsible for maintaining, enhancing, and protecting conserved wildlands and reserve properties throughout western Riverside County through a variety of field maintenance, restoration, and operational support activities. Duties include installing, repairing, and maintaining fences, gates, and property barriers, often in remote locations; performing weed abatement through string-trimmer operations, tractor mowing, and herbicide application; removing trash and unauthorized encampments; assisting with the installation and long-term maintenance of habitat restoration projects; grading and maintaining dirt roads using tractor equipment; and performing construction, demolition, and other semi-skilled maintenance work to support reserve infrastructure. The incumbent operates, maintains, and performs minor repairs on vehicles, tractors, tools, and other maintenance equipment, coordinates with partner agencies on code enforcement and off-highway vehicle (OHV) issues, assists during emergency situations, and responds to public inquiries regarding reserve operations, maintenance activities, and public land stewardship.

The ideal candidate will possess experience in open space and wildlife reserve management, ranch operations, fencing installation and repair, weed abatement, habitat restoration, and heavy equipment operation. In addition, the most competitive candidates will also possess welding experience, a valid Class A Driver's License, and experience performing maintenance and minor repairs on vehicles, small engines, tractors, and other equipment. Knowledge of local native and invasive plant species and their role in habitat restoration, experience assisting with the cleanup of unauthorized encampments in open-space environments, and strong map-reading and GPS navigation skills are highly valued. Training or coursework in conservation, natural resources, environmental science, or related fields is also desirable.

Work Schedule:

The position operates on a 9/80 work schedule, with Saturdays, Sundays, and every other Friday off. Regular work hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. The schedule is subject to change based on operational needs. See Schedule, Overtime, Standby/On-Call, and Travel Obligations under APPLICATION INFORMATION for details.

Meet the Team!

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District is a nationally accredited agency who strives to be the regional leader in improving lives through people, parks, places, and programs. Their mission is to acquire, protect, develop, manage, and interpret for the inspiration, use, and enjoyment of all people, a well-balanced system of areas of outstanding scenic, recreational, and historic importance.

• Operate a variety of trucks and tractors in hauling trash from illegal dumping and unauthorized camps, moving dirt, tree limbs, rocks, and grading roadways. Mowing fields, roadsides, and areas surrounding structures to support weed abatement and habitat restoration efforts and ensure compliance with required standards.
• Perform minor building maintenance such as plumbing, electrical, welding, and carpentry work such as repairing faucets, unclogging drains, repairing electrical wall switches and ceiling lights as well as cleaning and organizing the maintenance team shop.
• Maintain and perform minor repairs and preventative maintenance on vehicles, tractors and small engines.
• Fabricate and install new gates. Install and maintain T-Post & wire style fencing, property barriers, and signage.
• Assist with habitat restoration and natural resource management projects by planting and maintaining native vegetation by herbicide application as well as using the hand-pull and bag method to eliminate invasive plants, electro fishing, tractor mowing and monitoring restoration sites, and supporting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.
• Maintain conservation areas by performing weed abatement and vegetation management activities; operate string trimmers, chainsaws, mowers, tractors, and herbicide application equipment to control overgrown invasive plants in necessary weed abatement areas.
• Occasionally interact with unhoused individuals, assisting the Ranger team in the removal of unauthorized encampments throughout conservation lands.

OPTION I

Experience: Two years of performing any combination of the following: grounds or building maintenance and repair, debris removal, ranch work, plumbing, carpentry, metal fabrication, electrical, heating and cooling, landscape gardening including irrigation, habitat restoration, light to medium duty tractor maintenance, farming. (Completion of college level courses from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of 30 semester or 45 quarter units equaling one year of full-time experience.) The most competitive candidates will possess welding experience, heavy equipment operation, a valid Class A Driver's License, and experience performing weed abatement and maintenance and minor repairs on vehicles, small engines, tractors, and other equipment. Knowledge of local native and invasive plant species and their role in habitat restoration, experience assisting with the cleanup of unauthorized encampments in open-space environments, and strong map-reading and GPS navigation skills are highly valued. Training or coursework in conservation, natural resources, environmental science, or related fields is also desirable.

OPTION II

Experience: Two years as a Park Attendant with the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District.

ALL OPTIONS

Knowledge of: Common tools, equipment and materials used in maintenance work; basic vehicle preventive maintenance techniques. Ability to: Read and follow written instructions and write simple reports; perform a variety of routine grounds, building, equipment, and vehicle preventive maintenance and repair; operate equipment and learn procedures and safety techniques used in performing maintenance and minor construction projects; deal courteously and tactfully with the general public.

License:

Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license is required at the time of application. The incumbent will use a county vehicle to travel throughout conserved wildlands throughout Riverside County.

Physical/Environmental Exposures:

The role involves regular hiking, bending, kneeling, climbing, and using hand and power tools, as well as lifting and carrying heavy materials such as bags of concrete and moving maintenance equipment, tools, and supplies. The worker may also work outdoors in extreme weather and uneven terrain, and may encounter chemicals, high-noise machinery, wild and domestic animals, hazardous plants, and strong natural odors common in conservation environments. Uniforms will be provided.

For questions regarding this recruitment:

Please contact Isaac Vidalez Villegas at 951-955-4091 or [e-mail]. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.