Parks and Trails Maintenance Worker

Polk County (WI); Town of Balsam Lake (WI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading county is seeking a skilled laborer for the maintenance of parks, trails, and recreation areas. Responsibilities include landscape maintenance, facility cleaning, and equipment operation. Candidates should possess a high school diploma and relevant certifications. This role requires physical stamina and the ability to work in various weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Valid Class A CDL desirable or ability to obtain within six months.
• Wisconsin Pesticide Certification desirable within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Performs landscape maintenance including mowing, trimming, mulching.
• Cleans and maintains recreation facilities and restrooms.
• Operates trucks with snowplows, lawn mowers, tractors, and other equipment.

Skills

Communication

Horticulture

Landscaping

Safety Procedures

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Arc GIS Online

Job description

This position is responsible for skilled and unskilled labor essential to the maintenance and operations of the County’s parks, trails, boat landings, recreation areas, and public lands. Work is performed year round under the supervision of the Parks and Trails Supervisor.

These duties represent the typical duties and responsibilities assigned to this position but may not be inclusive of all tasks performed.

• Performs landscape maintenance including mowing, trimming, mulching, and weeding.
• Cleans and maintains recreation facilities, restrooms, and pavilions.
• Prepares facilities and grounds for pavilion rentals and special events.
• Picks up trash and empties trash receptacles.
• Inspects parks, trails, campground, and recreation facilities for safety and maintenance needs.
• Assists with general maintenance and minor repairs to park buildings and facilities.
• Assists with installation, maintenance, and inspection of playground equipment, benches, grills, signs, docks, and other amenities.
• Assists with minor carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, and concrete work.
• Performs routine maintenance, cleaning, and minor repairs to equipment.
• Operates trucks with snowplows, chain saws, string trimmers, lawn mowers, tractors, loaders, skid steers, Bobcat Tool cats, utility vehicles, brush chippers, stump grinders, trailers, and other powered and non-powered equipment.
• Assists with minor landscape construction including retaining walls, planting beds, and lawn installation.
• Applies pesticides and fertilizers to turf and landscape areas, rights of way, and natural areas.
• Plants trees, shrubs, flowers, and seed mixes.
• Assists with tree and plant care techniques including pruning, staking, mulching, and watering.
• Assists with removal of dead, dying, diseased, or hazardous trees.
• Provides snow removal for County parks and properties.
• Participates in seminars, meetings, and trainings as requested by supervisor.
• Works closely with and provides direction to seasonal employees.

Required Education, Experience, and Training

• High School Diploma or GED.
• A valid driver's license, satisfactory driver's record and current automobile insurance.
• Valid Class A CDL desirable or the ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Wisconsin Pesticide Certification Categories 3.0 (Turf and Landscape) & 6.0 (ROW and Natural Areas) desirable or within 12 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Parks and recreation facility maintenance and operations.
• Proper handling and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
• Horticulture, landscaping, and grounds maintenance techniques.
• Basic knowledge of arboricultural techniques.
• Occupational hazards and safe work practices.

Ability to

• Operate and maintain equipment and tools in a safe and efficient manner.
• Work with limited supervision.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Follow safety procedures.
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with other employees, supervisors, and the public.
• Speak and write clearly and effectively.
• Perform basic arithmetic skills such as measurement, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in order to do basic calculations
• Effectively operate a computer, tablet PCs and Arc GIS Online software.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Perform regular physical movement including: bend, stretch, stoop, stand, sit, balance, climb stairs and ladders.
• Walk around buildings and grounds (in all weather conditions) as needed to perform inspections, daily safety checks, and assist with emergencies and operations as needed.
• Lift, carry, and push/pull a minimum of 50 lbs. independently and up to 100 lbs. with assistance.
• Reach/stretch with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate tools, objects or controls; substantial movement of wrists, hands and fingers.
• Hear and speak in order to use telephone and communicate with people inside and outside the property.
• Read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Apply manual dexterity and visual acuity for computer keyboarding and office equipment use and performing/training on maintenance tasks.
• Visual ability to read documents, manuals, and detailed reports.
• Visual ability to review detailed reports and information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to the following work conditions:

• Regular exposure to outdoor weather conditions with varying temperatures during all seasons.
• Uneven terrain such as construction sites, turf, and natural earth trails.
• Frequent noise levels of moderate to loud depending on equipment used.
• May work in a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, working on ladders, scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat, or exposure to chemicals and airborne particles.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This job descriptionis intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or accountabilities.Employees are expected to continually assess where their assistance would benefit their coworkers and the organization and step in to fill those gaps. Management reserves the right to amend and change duties and job descriptions to meet operational and organizational needs at any time.

The job requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified individuals with disabilities to help them perform the essential functions of the position.