Parks Grounds Maintenance Sr Technician

Guilford County; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Guilford County is seeking a lead groundskeeper for the Parks Department to maintain county parks and grounds, including mowing, pruning, planting, and debris removal.

You will operate landscape equipment, apply pesticides and fertilizers, and provide service to park patrons. A valid driver’s license is required, and routine coordination with a supervisor is expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Experience with grounds maintenance is preferred.
• Pesticide applicator knowledge is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Maintain county parks and grounds with mowing, fertilizing, planting, pruning, and debris removal.
• Operate landscape equipment such as mowers, loaders, and sprayers; perform routine tool maintenance.
• Line athletic fields and assess maintenance needs with supervisor.
• Provide customer service to park patrons and respond to emergencies as needed.
• Enforce park rules and assist with events and crowd management.
• Perform general clerical tasks and inventory park supplies as required.

Skills

Customer service

Equipment operation

Safety procedures

Driving

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Mowers

Tractors

Backhoe (light)

Hand tools

Sprayers

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

This lead position performs responsible work in landscaping or maintaining grounds using hand tools and power tools, and some light equipment. Applies pesticides and fertilizers to control weeds and pests and promote turf growth. The majority of the work is performed in the Parks Department at various locations as needed.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

An employee in this class performs manual labor and customer service functions at County Parks. The employee enforces County laws, park rules and regulations. Work includes cutting away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to maintain trails, sidewalks, or to improve appearance, health, and value of tree. Work typically requires the use of riding mowers, tractors, light duty trucks, light duty backhoe operations, light duty front end loader and a various of hand tools such as rakes, shovels, axes, sprayers, and tools for maintenance of equipment. Questions and technical issues are referred to the lead worker. Complexity of work is noted with performing mechanic work on equipment. Work is performed under the supervision of Parks Supervisors and is checked through observation and review of work orders.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Duties & Tasks

• Performs maintenance of county parks and grounds including weeding, mowing, and fertilizing lawns; plant, water, trim, and prune landscaped areas consisting of bushes, trees, flowers, shrubs, and lawns; rake leaves and clear debris from streets, walks and other areas; apply herbicides, fungicides and pesticides to landscaped areas.
• Operate various landscape and construction equipment including power and hand tools, mowers, loaders, blowers; maintain tools and equipment; adhere to safe work practices.
• Line athletic fields and drag baseball fields for official play.
• Perform general clerical functions; receiving and inventory of park supplies and materials. Collect and secure all money from all facility operations. Complete daily reports.
• Install and repair park equipment. Inspect facilities for repair needs; review maintenance needs with assigned supervisor.
• Clean park facilities and buildings; maintain inventory of cleaning supplies, clean restrooms, remove trash, sweep and mop floors.
• Provide customer service to park patrons, assist with customer needs, respond to emergencies.
• Explain and enforce park rules; report suspicious activity to supervisor or law enforcement personnel. Assist with parking and crowd control for concerts and special events.
• Maintains sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, planters, and other grounds features.
• Shovels snow and removes debris from walks, driveways, and parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.
• Performs related duties as required.

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of machines and tools, operation, repair and maintenance.
• Knowledge of basic athletic fields, layout, marking, and turf grass management.
• Knowledge of basic electrical, plumbing, automotive and carpentry skills.
• Knowledge of equipment and materials used to construct and maintain landscaped areas and other facilities.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in planting and caring for trees, shrubs, perennials, tropicals, annuals, and grasses.
• Knowledge of methods and application procedures for controlling or eradicating plant pests and diseases.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Ability to adapt to a work environment that may include exposure to outdoor climate, dust and dirt, exposure to the hazards of working in and near traffic, exposure to various chemicals including fertilizers and pesticides, and exposure to domestic and wild animals.
• Ability to answer questions and provide information to the public.
• Ability to speak, understand and communicate information and ideas so others may understand.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school graduation or G.E.D with six months grounds maintenance experience.Valid drivers' license required. Possession of or ability to obtain N.C. Pesticides Applicators License within 90 days of employment.

Preferred:

Some specialized technical training beyond the equivalent of the 12th grade, typically vocational in nature supplemented with some years of experience as a general laborer.

Physical Demands:

Employee is subject to hazards, including mechanical equipment and atmospheric conditions due to exposure to fumes, odors, and dusts. At least half of each week requires exposure to sensory extremes. Several times weekly, exposure to chance of injury or loss of life, which can be substantially controlled by use of significant safety precautions. The work is required to have visual acuity to perform mechanical or skilled trades tasks of a non-repetitive nature such as carpenters, technicians, service people, plumbers, painters, mechanics, etc.

Work Conditions:

Work is performed inside and out in varying conditions including loud noise. Hazards may include occasional exposure to health risk of infection when cleaning up body fluids.

Driving is Essential

Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Special Note:

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job questionnaire with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.