Parks Maintenance Grounds Keeper I

City of Fife; Fife (WA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fife is seeking a Parks Maintenance Worker to join the Parks Department. You will maintain parks, trails, and open spaces, operate various mowers and tools, and ensure safety for staff, the public, and city property.

Responsibilities include debris removal, landscape care, irrigation support, and light building maintenance. Prior groundskeeping experience and a valid driver’s license are preferred; pesticide certification to be obtained within a year may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and one year of paid work experience in grounds maintenance or equivalent training.
• Experience in horticulture, landscaping, or building maintenance is preferred.
• Must obtain pesticide applicator license within 12 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain parks, trails, and open spaces.
• Operate tools and equipment safely, including mowing and edging turf.
• Inspect parks, remove debris, and address hazards with PPE.
• Perform routine lawn care, planting, pruning, and irrigation maintenance.
• Assist with restroom cleaning and light facility maintenance.
• Support in installing and maintaining park structures and equipment.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Physical stamina

Safety awareness

English communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Grounds maintenance experience

Tools

First Aid/ CPR/ AED certification

Forklift certificate

Pesticide applicator license

Job description

Position Description

This position is under the general direction of the Assistant Parks, Recreation and Aquatics Director. Work is initially reviewed for adherence to instructions, quality of work, and skill demonstrated. Positions in this classification are responsible for initially performing manual tasks in a limited variety of occupational areas including horticulture, grounds maintenance, equipment operation, small engine repair and equipment/facility repair. Employees are expected to function effectively and cooperatively as a members of a crew. The work requires the safe operation of hand, power and automotive equipment to avoid injuries to the employee, other employees, the public and damage to City equipment, facilities and structures. Duties require interacting with members of the public respectfully and professionally. Work in conjunction with various city programs as assigned. Work is performed outdoors in various weather conditions or inside depending on the assignment and the season of the year. Physical strength, agility, eye/hand coordination, normal vision and depth perception are required to perform duties.

This position reports directly to the Parks Maintenance Coordinator II.

Essential Duties

• Perform the maintenance of parks, trails, and open space areas.
• Operate hand, power, and automotive equipment to mow turf exercising safety precautions to avoid obstacles and people.
• Inspect parks and remove debris and obstructions which may include biohazards manually and mechanically using the proper provided PPE.
• Collect litter and empty trash cans.
• Mow and edge turf, using riding and walk-behind mowers, weed and prune landscaped areas, prepare and fertilize soil, plant turf, trees, shrubs, hedges and flowers.
• Assist with planting, applying chemicals, maintaining, pruning and removing trees, vegetation, landscaping and turf growing in parks, trails/ pathways, and natural areas.
• Abate graffiti and repair vandalism.
• Clean restrooms, perform janitorial duties in buildings and light building maintenance.
• Fertilize, aerate, top dress and thatch park areas.
• Perform light repair/maintenance on small engines.
• Paint and repair park equipment.
• Drag, rake, chalk and set bases for ball field areas.
• Apply fertilizers and pesticides per state laws and industry standards.
• Assist in the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems. Assist in operating, testing, troubleshooting and repairing automated irrigation systems.
• Inspect play equipment and perform routine maintenance.
• Assist in performing traffic control and flagging duties as assigned and work safely under heavy traffic conditions.
• Assist in preparing facilities and setting up and taking down equipment for department programs and events.

Other Duties

• Performs other related work as assigned.

Knowledge Of

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Professional grounds maintenance practices.
• Park operations and maintenance procedures.
• Safe usage and operation of landscape maintenance tools and equipment.
• Requirements of maintaining tools and equipment in a safe, clean and orderly condition.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Tools and equipment used during the performance of this work.
• Basic methods of horticulture, landscaping, building maintenance, athletic field maintenance and equipment operation.
• Appropriate health and safety precautions and procedures related to grounds maintenance activities including use of hazardous chemicals, personal protective equipment and cleaning up biohazard material as needed.
• Basic record-keeping techniques.
• Legal and defensive driving practices.

Ability To

• Perform athletic field maintenance and equipment operation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain pesticide applicator’s license within one year of employment.
• Ability to drive a vehicle with a loaded equipment trailer in tow.
• Operate effectively and cooperatively as a member of a crew.
• Operate equipment safely and effectively.
• Interact with the public in a pleasant and courteous manner.
• Demonstrate physical strength and agility to perform the work in a safe manner with normal vision, depth perception, and eye/hand coordination.
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with supervisor, co-workers, and other City personnel.
• Provide work direction and guidance to part-time seasonal and volunteer crews as assigned.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Operate handheld data recording devices and computers to update records and record work production.
• Demonstrate the ability to positively and effectively interact with diverse individuals to accomplish a common goal.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing in the English language.
• Read, write and speak the English language.

Education, Experience And License Requirements

• Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school or equivalent and one year of paid work experience performing grounds maintenance activities, or any combination of experience, education and training that would provide the level of knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Experience performing a broad range of horticultural, landscaping, and building maintenance preferred.
• Valid Washington driver's license. Must be 18 years of age or older. Must have a good driving record.
• The following certificates are required within six (6) months of employment:
• First Aid/ CPR/ AED certificate.
• Forklift certificate
• Pesticide applicator license must be obtained within twelve (12) months of employment.

Environment

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Outdoor and indoor environment.

Physical Demands

Physical strength, agility, eye/hand coordination, normal vision and depth perception are required to perform duties. Required to lift 10 to 25 pounds frequently; repetitive hand motion associated with hand and power tools; and periodically required to kneel, crouch, bend, stoop or crawl. This position is frequently exposed to high noise levels. This position requires the physical strength to exert force and/or lift or carry objects weighing up to 60 pounds occasionally, required to lift up to 100 pounds with the assistance of another worker; occasionally required to remain seated for extended periods, e.g., on a mower, etc. This position is at risk of potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens and/or hazardous materials. Work is performed mainly outdoors in a variety of weather conditions or inside depending on the assignment and the season of the year. Position may be required to work alternative days and shifts based on seasonal and program-related demands.

Union Status International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers- IAMAW

FLSA Status Non-exempt

Salary Range Range 6

Adopted

Last Revised 10/22/2026

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for the job, the level of knowledge, skill and ability typically required, and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to balance the workload.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Class specifications are only intended to represent a descriptive summary of the range of duties and responsibilities associated with specific positions. Therefore, specifications may not include all duties performed by individuals within a classification. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.