PARKS MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Cityofrehoboth; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Rehoboth seeks a Parks Maintenance Technician to perform skilled care of parks, playgrounds, and public spaces. The role emphasizes independent work, prioritizing tasks, and coordinating with the Parks Manager to plan daily activities.

Responsibilities include maintaining lawns, beds, trees, and irrigation, operating commercial equipment, and assisting with events. The position requires guidance to staff and strong safety practices, with a focus on meeting City standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience in parks maintenance, landscaping, arboriculture, or grounds maintenance.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience operating commercial landscaping and tree maintenance equipment.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and skilled maintenance of parks, playgrounds, landscaped areas, public gardens, green spaces, street trees, recreational facilities, and other public properties.
• Mow, trim, edges, weeds, mulch, water, fertilize, aerate, and maintain lawns, beds, trees, shrubs, and ornamental plantings.
• Inspect parks, playgrounds, landscaped areas, irrigation systems, street trees, and park amenities to identify maintenance needs and safety hazards.
• Operate and maintain commercial landscaping equipment including mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, pole saws, hedge trimmers, blowers, and more.
• Assist with event setup and breakdown for City-sponsored events and respond to emergencies as needed.
• Maintain accurate records of completed work, equipment maintenance, inspections, and material usage.

Skills

Landscaping

Tree care

Equipment operation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

Performs skilled maintenance of City parks, landscaped areas, playgrounds, street trees, recreational facilities, and other public spaces. Serves as the Department's primary field employee and assists the Urban Forestry and Parks Manager with planning daily work, coordinating maintenance activities, inspecting facilities, maintaining equipment, and training less experienced employees. Performs advanced landscape, tree, irrigation, and park maintenance while ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with City standards. This position requires the ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercise sound judgment in prioritizing work, identify maintenance needs, and complete assignments efficiently while supporting the overall goals of the Parks Department. The incumbent is expected to take initiative, recognize issues requiring attention, recommend improvements, and coordinate with the Urban Forestry and Parks Manager regarding priorities, projects, and operational needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Performs routine and skilled maintenance of City parks, playgrounds, landscaped areas, public gardens, green spaces, street trees, recreational facilities, and other public properties.
• Collects litter and debris from parks, playgrounds, public spaces, and landscaped areas to maintain a clean, safe, and attractive environment.
• Mows, trims, edges, weeds, mulches, waters, fertilizes, aerates, and maintains lawns, landscaped beds, trees, shrubs, and ornamental plantings.
• Plants, transplants, prunes, removes, and cares for trees, shrubs, flowers, turf, and other landscape materials using accepted horticultural and arboricultural practices.
• Performs skilled tree maintenance including pruning, watering, staking, planting, cabling, bracing, and removal of small trees under the direction of the Urban Forestry and Parks Manager.
• Inspects parks, playgrounds, landscaped areas, irrigation systems, street trees, and park amenities to identify maintenance needs, safety hazards, and repair requirements.
• Performs minor repairs and preventative maintenance on park amenities including benches, picnic tables, fencing, signs, playground equipment, irrigation systems, walkways, pavilions, and other public facilities.
• Operates, maintains, and performs preventative maintenance on commercial landscaping equipment including mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, pole saws, hedge trimmers, blowers, utility vehicles, trucks, trailers, and other specialized equipment.
• Load, transport, and unload equipment, materials, supplies, and landscape products necessary to complete assigned work.
• Assists the Urban Forestry and Parks Manager in planning daily work assignments, prioritizing maintenance activities, and coordinating departmental projects.
• Provides day-to-day guidance, instruction, and on-the-job training to Parks Laborers, seasonal employees, interns, and temporary employees.
• Serves as the Department's lead field employee and coordinates daily maintenance activities in the absence of the Urban Forestry and Parks Manager.
• Works independently with minimal supervision to inspect facilities, identify maintenance priorities, organize daily work, and complete assignments while exercising sound judgment and keeping the Urban Forestry and Parks Manager informed of significant issues, operational concerns, and completed projects.
• Exercises independent judgment in determining appropriate maintenance methods and recognizes conditions requiring immediate attention or supervisor notification.
• Assists with contractor coordination by preparing work areas, monitoring work for quality and compliance with project specifications, and reporting deficiencies to the Urban Forestry and Parks Manager.
• Maintains inventories of tools, equipment, irrigation supplies, landscape materials, and replacement parts, and recommends purchases as needed.
• Assists with the setup, operation, and breakdown of City-sponsored events and recreational activities.
• Responds to emergency situations including storm damage, fallen trees, flooding, debris removal, snow and ice control, and other Public Works emergency operations.
• Responds professionally and courteously to questions from residents and visitors regarding parks, trees, landscaping, and public facilities.
• Maintains accurate records of completed work, equipment maintenance, inspections, and material usage.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience in parks maintenance, landscaping, arboriculture, or grounds maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize daily assignments, solve maintenance issues, and complete projects with minimal supervision.
• Experience operating commercial landscaping and tree maintenance equipment.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Licenses or Certifications

• Valid Delaware Driver's License.
• Ability to obtain a Delaware Pesticide Applicator Certification within twelve (12) months.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Landscape installation and maintenance.
• Arboricultural practices and tree care.
• Turf management.
• Irrigation systems.
• Parks and playground maintenance.
• Operation and maintenance of commercial landscape equipment.
• Safe work practices and OSHA regulations.
• Preventative equipment maintenance.
• Basic recordkeeping and inventory control.
• Customer service principles.

Skill in:

• Operating commercial landscaping and tree maintenance equipment.
• Tree pruning and planting.
• Irrigation troubleshooting and repair.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Reading and interpreting work orders.
• Training and mentoring employees.
• Customer service.
• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Work independently and effectively with limited supervision while maintaining productivity and quality standards.
• Exercise sound judgment in identifying maintenance needs and determining appropriate corrective actions within established policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize, prioritize, and complete multiple assignments while adapting to changing priorities and operational needs.
• Recognize situations requiring supervisor input and communicate issues promptly.
• Provide leadership and guidance to less experienced employees without formal supervisory authority.
• Maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, contractors, and the public.
• Safely operate a variety of commercial landscaping and maintenance equipment.
• Respond effectively during emergencies and severe weather events.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

The position requires heavy physical work and the ability to perform strenuous outdoor activities for extended periods. Duties regularly involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, digging, operating commercial landscape equipment, and working on uneven terrain in varying weather conditions. Demands include but are not limited to lifting and carrying up to 100 pounds with assistance as well as carrying up to 50 pounds regularly.

Position : 10031

Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

Location : PARKS DEPARTMENT

Job Class : PARKS MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN