Parks Grounds Skilled Worker

City-of-Bellevue; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Bellevue is seeking a Skilled Worker in the Parks Department Grounds Division to maintain City parks and sports fields. You will perform landscaping, irrigation, and park improvement projects, working with full-time and seasonal staff.

You’ll respond to public questions, uphold safety, and ensure quality customer service.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of turf management and irrigation practices.
• Ability to read construction documents and blueprints.
• Proactive problem solving and safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Mow, cut brush, pick up leaves, repair drainage and irrigation systems, grading, clear storm drainage, prune and fall trees, and prepare surfaces for seeding/planting of vegetation.
• Operate and maintain equipment; respond to weather events and emergency needs.

Skills

Policy understanding

Turf management

Irrigation systems

Arboriculture

Pesticide application procedures

Maxicom knowledge

Communication

Independent work

Public communication

Blueprint reading

Tools

Maxicom irrigation controller

Job description

Do you have a background in municipal park grounds maintenance and operations? Are you interested in a career in government? We are looking for a Skilled Worker in the Parks Department Grounds Division to be responsible for grounds maintenance for City parks and sports fields. This position reports directly to the Grounds Crew Leader and performs park improvement projects, general landscaping, irrigation, responding to public questions, and working with full-time and seasonal staff.

Why Bellevue?

Bellevue's Parks & Community Services builds a healthy community through an integrated system of exceptional parks, open spaces, recreation, cultural arts and community services. With 2,700 acres of parks and open space, Parks & Community Services provides a variety of traditional recreation and human service programs and activities that support the quality of life for all residents. At the City you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and being a part of the community vision. Our people bring unique skills and qualities to the table, embrace the values of honesty, accountability and commitment to service, and take pride in the work they do. You'll work in an environment where being innovative, collaborative, and future focused are the status quo. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. It's what makes The City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

City Council Vision Statement:

Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past.

Bellevue Parks & Community Services Vision:

In Bellevue everyone can connect to each other and to nature through experiences that help them to live, grow, and thrive.

Bellevue Parks & Community Services Mission:

We build a healthy community through an integrated system of exceptional parks, natural areas, recreation, arts and culture, and a broad base of community services

Mow, cut brush, pick up leaves, repair drainage and irrigation systems, grading, clear storm drainage, prune and fall trees, prepare surfaces for seeding/planting of vegetation, herbicide application, plant identification, arboricultural, install new landscapes, routine maintenance work, synthetic sports turf maintenance, skinned baseball infield grading, athletic field layout and striping, park enhancement projects, haul equipment on a trailer, work in in-climate weather, and respond to emergency weather events.

• Equipment – Must be able to operate or learn how to operate trucks with trailers, backhoes, chain saws, wood chippers, lawnmowers, blowers, power tools, sand-pros, tractors, edgers, pruners, and other various implements.
• Be self-motivated and able to perform maintenance tasks independently, solve problems, follow directions, work well with others, and finish projects successfully.
• Must be comfortable communicating and working directly with other employees and citizens.
• Must understand and demonstrate excellent customer service.
• Must be safety-minded, demonstrating safety practices at all.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to learn City of Bellevue policy, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of current municipal park maintenance standards and practices including turf management, plant identification, irrigation, and arboriculture
• Ability to identify horticultural issues and address solutions through proactive management of park and facility sites
• Knowledge of pesticide application procedures and requirements as required by WSDA
• Ability to provide central irrigation system control programming with Maxicom and individual stand-along controllers
• Knowledge of construction and maintenance practices, processes, procedures, and methods for park construction
• Skill in interfacing effectively in a complex and dynamic work environment.
• Skill in good listening and communication.
• Ability to work independently on complex tasks and non-routine matters.
• Ability to communicate with the public.
• Ability to read and understand technical construction documents, plans and blueprints.
• A demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning of diversity, equity & inclusion principles and a commitment to implement these principles in your work.
• Must pass a criminal background prior to hire.
• Current, valid driver's license is required.

Education and Experience:

• Two or more years of professional related experience in park grounds maintenance related to assigned functional areas.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Washington State driver's license by the time of hire.
• Washington State Public Pesticide Applicator license (or obtain within six months of hire)

The physical demands and work environment 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 enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet but can range to loud and dusty at construction and repair sites.