Park Technician

Bend Park And Recreation District (OR); Bend (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Bend Park & Recreation District in Bend, OR is seeking a Park Technician to lead irrigation, horticulture and turf projects across parks, sports fields, trails and facilities. You will design, install, inspect and repair irrigation systems, train staff, and ensure safe, efficient water management aligned with conservation goals.

You’ll manage equipment, coordinate with contractors, perform winterization, and support meetings and program presentations as needed.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of horticulture, arboriculture, turf grass management, noxious weed control, and park maintenance and repair.
• Installation and operation of irrigation systems and controllers.
• Central Control weather-based water management system programming, troubleshooting and installation.
• Irrigation system layout and design principles.
• Troubleshooting high and low voltage electrical systems.
• Landscape drainage, design, plant care, and spoil properties.
• Safe operation of park maintenance powered equipment and tools, including backhoe/loaders, trenchers, dump trucks, tractors, mowers, aerators and top-dressers, chainsaws and other hand powered equipment.
• Effective employee training techniques; supervisory practices.
• Basic computer programs and data entry;
• Basic arithmetic, spelling, English and grammar.

Responsibilities

• Leads irrigation, horticulture and turf projects in parks, fields and trails.
• Maintains and repairs irrigation and drainage systems; trains staff and volunteers.
• Programs weather-based water management with Central Control systems.
• Maintains blueprints, diagrams and as-built drawings for irrigation systems.
• Coordinates with contractors and ensures a safe working environment.
• Performs winterization and snow removal as needed.

Skills

Irrigation system knowledge

Horticulture

Turf grass management

Noxious weed control

Water management systems

Equipment operation

Staff training

Office software

Basic math and language

Education

High School diploma or equivalent; prefer two years of trade/technical school in landscape or irrigation

Four years of irrigation/landscape/arboriculture experience

Any satisfactory combination of education, experience and training

Job description

About the job:

The Park Technician is responsible for assisting a Park Services Supervisor by leading projects and performing a wide variety of technical duties in the areas of irrigation, horticulture and turf grass management work on parks, sports fields, outside facilities and trails.

A day in the life:

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Designs and develops specifications for irrigation and drainage systems.
• Installs, troubleshoots, inspects, audits and repairs irrigation and drainage systems.
• Provides technical expertise and training to staff, volunteers and design professionals.
• Maintains irrigation and drainage systems in confined spaces and attends confined space training.
• Programs and manages a variety of irrigation controllers including the district’s Central Control weather-based systems consistent with water conservation programs with consideration to rainfall, solar radiation, wind, temperature and other factors.
• Maintains detailed blueprints, diagrams, records, reports and as-built drawings associated with district irrigation systems.
• Operates and transports equipment necessary for the installation and maintenance of district irrigation systems.
• Coordinates with contractors and acts as a resource in the field. May provide instructions and site-specific details to reduce conflicts and to ensure a safe working environment.
• Carries out the winterization of district irrigation systems.
• Attends meetings as required and may give presentations on the district’s water management programs.
• Performs a variety of tasks in the care and maintenance of parks, grounds, trails, turf, trees, plantings.
• Purchases materials and supplies; reconciles purchases.
• Performs snow removal during the winters as needed.
• Promotes safe conditions in all park facilities.
• Acts as a Mandatory Reporter; reports incidents of child abuse/neglect.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Schedule:

Monday - Friday

6:30 am - 3:00 pm

Requirements

What you'll need for success:

Strong Knowledge of:

Principles, practices and methods used in horticulture, arboriculture, turf grass management, noxious weed control, and park maintenance and repair;

• Principles, practices and methods used in horticulture, arboriculture, turf grass management, noxious weed control, and park maintenance and repair;
• Installation and operation of irrigation systems and controllers;
• Central Control weather-based water management system programming, troubleshooting and installation;
• Irrigation system layout and design principles;
• Troubleshooting high and low voltage electrical systems;
• Landscape drainage, design, plant care, and spoil properties;
• Safe operation of park maintenance powered equipment and tools, including backhoe/loaders, trenchers, dump trucks, tractors, mowers, aerators and top-dressers, chainsaws and other hand powered equipment;
• Effective employee training techniques; general knowledge of effective supervisory practices;
• Basic computer programs and data entry; and
• Basic arithmetic, spelling, English and grammar.

Skill and Ability to:

• Effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing, including by phone, e-mail or in person;
• Strong planning, organizational, leadership, problem solving, and interpersonal skills;
• Work independently while also able to work cooperatively with others;
• Demonstrate independent judgement, initiative, and work independently;
• Safely operate equipment, mowers, tractors, hand and power tools;
• Effectively understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Effectively lead and direct others;
• Effectively handle difficult situations and people;
• Proficiently use specialized software application and operate a variety of office equipment including computers; and
• Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and respectful working relationships with all contacts.

What we’re looking for:

Education, Experience, and Training:

1. High School diploma or equivalent; prefer two years of trade or technical school in landscape or irrigation; AND
2. Four (4) years of experience in irrigation technology, landscape horticulture design, field layout, forest management, or arboriculture; OR
3. Any satisfactory combination of education, experience and training.

Licenses and Certifications:

1. Possession of, or ability to obtain valid Oregon driver’s license within 30 days with an acceptable driving history as defined by district driving policy.
2. Some positions may require possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of hire, a valid:

• Public Pesticide Applicator’s license
• Chainsaw certification
• Oregon ATV certification
• Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT)

Supervision Received:

Works under the supervision of a Supervisor. Follows standard processes and procedures without supervision but confirms changes to standard practices and significant decision in advance.

Supervision Exercised:

Supervision is not normally a responsibility of this classification; however, provides training, direction and leadership to staff and volunteers assigned to projects or work assignments.

Working Conditions:

The following are working conditions, including environmental and physical demands, required for this classification.

• Duties are performed indoors and outdoors with exposure to inclement weather including heat, cold, humidity, wind, snow, and rain.
• Exposure to various hazardous chemical, fumes, and high noise levels.
• Daily standing and walking over uneven terrain, such as parks and trails with up/down inclines, paved and unpaved surfaces for sustained periods of time.
• Safety equipment, including shoes, gloves, reflective vests and eye protection are required.
• Daily operation of a motor vehicle on public roadways.
• The flow of work and character of duties involve normal mental and visual attention much or all of the time.
• Remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods of time, move about the office occasionally.
• Ability to maintain sustained concentration on computer screens; use keyboards and a variety of peripherals.
• Ability to have clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; those activities where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to others.
• Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and making fine discriminations in sound.
• Safety equipment, including shoes, gloves and eye protection are required.
• Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, and constant use of hands and arms and may require overhead reaching.
• Occasional lifting, moving, dragging, pushing and carrying of heavy objects (up to 50 pounds unassisted).
• Works in confined spaces.
• Exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical work includes climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, grasping, and bending.
• May require working for emergency call-outs or snow removal during off duty hours including some holidays.

Selection Process:

Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training and willingness to learn the skills required for the position. An offer of employment is contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by Bend Park & Recreation District policies, including a background check and a driving history review when driving is required for the position.

Veteran Preference Status

Under Oregon law, veterans who meet minimum qualifications for a position may be eligible for employment preference. To qualify for veterans’ preference, you must submit required documentation prior to the closing date of the recruitment. Veterans’ preference cannot be awarded without required documentation. Beginning January 1, 2026, certain preferences will also apply to current and former members of the Oregon National Guard. For more information on if you qualify for veterans’ preference visit https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/veterans-preference.aspx

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Bend Park and Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Bend Park & Recreation District Core Competencies:

All positions with Bend Park and Recreation District are subject to district and position competencies. Below is a list of the most critical competencies for this position. Additional competencies are required for the position and may change based on district needs. A complete list of the competencies is available from Human Resources.

Accountability, Customer Service Orientation, Safety, Judgment and Decision Making, Teamwork and Cooperation, Results Orientation.

Salary Description:

$26.59 - $30.31/hr.