Parks Maintenance Worker

City of Santa Cruz

California

On-site

USD 42,000 - 62,000

Full time

11 hours ago

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Job summary

The City of Santa Cruz is seeking an entry-level Parks Maintenance Worker to support the Parks & Recreation Department across Wharf and Beaches, golf courses, open spaces, and community parks. You will work as part of a crew performing basic grounds keeping, landscaping, and maintenance tasks, with opportunities to lead small teams of temporary staff.

This role requires basic physical endurance, the ability to follow English instructions, and a willingness to learn multiple trades such as

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required.
One year of manual labor experience including grounds keeping or construction preferred.
Ability to follow oral and written English instructions.

Responsibilities

Prepare soil for planting and care for trees, shrubs and flowers.
Mow, rake, edge lawns and turf; water plants as needed.
Sweep, clean and stock restrooms; load and unload maintenance materials.
Inspect parks for hazards and perform minor repairs to tools and equipment.
Install, maintain and repair irrigation systems and lighting as needed.
Operate standard groundskeeping and light construction tools safely.

Skills

Basic grounds keeping knowledge

English language proficiency

Safe work practices

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Groundskeeping tools

Job description

The Position

The City of Santa Cruz is recruiting for Parks Maintenance Worker in the Parks & Recreation Department. The current vacancy is in the Wharf and Beaches Division. Other Parks Maintenance Worker assignments may include: Golf Course, Greenways, Open Spaces, Community Parks, Neighborhood Parks, and Urban Forestry.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular, Full Time, Part Time, Limited Term, and Temporary Parks Maintenance Worker vacancies in other assignments that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

To learn more about the City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, please visit https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/City-Departments/Parks-Recreation .

Recruitment #27-022

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

On Thursday, 10/15/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted.
Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

Week of 10/19 and 10/26/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 11/06/26.
Week of 11/16 and 11/23/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function

Under supervision, the Parks Maintenance Worker performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks in the development and maintenance of City Parks and Recreational facilities; and does related work as required. Incumbents are trained in and perform a broad range of duties in the basic grounds keeping, landscaping, construction, restoration, and maintenance trades as necessary for the section or crew to which assigned. Incumbents generally work as a member of a crew, but may be given independent assignments and may lead a small crew of temporary aides and volunteers. Incumbents are subject to call-back for after hour emergencies.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This classification is the entry and working level of the Parks Field Operations series. This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Senior Parks Maintenance Worker in that the incumbents of the latter classification are assigned tasks which require the application of a more advanced skill or a specialized knowledge of the techniques and tools used in park maintenance and/or which require the regular use of specialized equipment, and duties are performed without direct or continuing supervision. Senior Parks Maintenance Workers may be assigned to lead a small crew of Parks Maintenance Workers and/or temporary aides as required.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

Prepares soil for planting and plants various trees, shrubs and flowers.
Weeds flower beds and other planting areas.
Mows, rakes and edges lawns and turfs.
Waters plants by hand and with irrigation systems.
Rakes, gathers, loads and hauls refuse and cut vegetation from parks and recreational facilities.
Cleans and stocks restrooms.
Assists in applying fertilizers.
Assists with the installation, repair and maintenance of irrigation systems.
Trims and prunes trees, shrubs and ground coverings.
Loads, unloads and operates pick‑up and light dump trucks to transport maintenance supplies and materials.
Participates in digging, widening and backfilling trenches and other excavations.
Uses general groundskeeping, carpentry and mechanical tools such as picks, shovels, hoes, rakes, shears, edgers, loppers, saws, drills, wrenches, screwdrivers and hammers. Operates landscape construction, turf maintenance, and weed removal equipment such as chain saws, concrete saws, pavement breakers, sprayers, cement mixers, aerators, compactors, rollers, small multi‑purpose tractors, brush chippers, weed eaters, blowers, front end loaders, trucks, small and large riding mowers, rototillers and seeders.
Identifies and removes invasive plant species and weeds from sensitive habitats.
Apply erosion control measures such as digging berms, laying down jute netting or installing silt fencing or wattles.
Maintains paths and trails in safe conditions including removing debris and obstructions, leveling uneven surfaces and identifying and repairing potential trip hazards and awkward transitions.
Performs minor electrical repairs on park lights, switches and irrigation clocks.
Assists with the installation, maintenance and repair of picnic tables, trash cans, barbecues, drinking fountains, playground equipment and other park items.
Inspects parks, playgrounds and recreational areas for hazards and unsafe conditions and removes or repairs them.
Picks up and removes trash and debris using hand operated "grab stick"; Replaces trash can liners.
Performs basic repairs including plumbing, in park restrooms, park buildings and other park facilities.
Performs rough carpentry and cement work in the construction, installation and repair of fences, barricades, tables and benches, signs, boxed tree supports, walkways and street medians.
Paints fences, curbs, building interiors and exteriors, floors, and other facility structures or infrastructure equipment as needed.
Performs light graffiti cleanup.
Performs routine maintenance and repair of tools and equipment.
Maintains inventory of maintenance supplies and materials; prepares material requests and keeps work logs as necessary.
Places traffic control flags, signs and cones to direct traffic around work sites or other obstructions.
Tactfully responds to questions and comments from the public or conveys information as appropriate.
Constructs and installs park signs.
Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

If assigned to the Wharf or beach parks, in addition to the above typical duties:

May operate or work out of a power boat, barge or personal watercraft.
Operate beach grooming equipment and street sweeper.
Work in and around large crowds of people.

If assigned to the swimming pool facility, in addition to the above typical duties:

Cleans pool by brushing sides and bottom, scrubbing tile, skimming with net, and vacuuming; cleans and maintains maintenance equipment to ensure a clean environment for patrons.
Tests and regulates chemical balance of water, adds chemicals to tanks and changes filters and tanks as needed; cleans and maintains filters, controls, pumps, and heaters to ensure healthy levels of pool sanitation.
Cleans and sterilizes restrooms, dressing rooms, showers, and pool decks.
Checks, cleans, and services various pool equipment (i.e., diving boards, ladders, cover, etc.) in order to enhance a safe swimming environment.
Maintains records of pool testing results, chemical adjustments made, and maintenance performed.
Paints swimming pool decks, equipment, and interior walls.

If assigned to the Open Spaces, in addition to the above typical duties:

Assist with vegetation management in support of wildfire prevention and land management objectives.
Assist with ecological restoration work including, but not limited to, grading, construction of engineered features, planting, seeding, weeding, and maintenance of areas undergoing restoration.

If assigned to the Golf Course, in addition to the above typical duties:

Mow, edge, and trim turf on fairways, greens, and trees.
Rake sand bunkers, pick up debris, and keep path and playing areas clean.
Assist with basic irrigation tasks

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires sitting, standing, balancing or walking on uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, climbing, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping, reaching overhead and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when inspecting work and operating assigned equipment, plus the ability to speak and to hear. The ability to lift, carry, walk, hike off‑trail, push and pull tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 60 pounds is required. The incumbent in this position works outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot, and cold. The work frequently involves work with hands in water and work on ladders or scaffolding. The incumbent may use chemicals including fertilizers, grease and oils or solvents which may expose the employee to fumes, dust, and air or skin contaminants. May be exposed to biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals. The nature of the work requires that the incumbent to use power and noise producing tools and equipment and drive motorized vehicles, commonly subjecting the incumbent to vibration. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience

High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
One (1) year of manual labor experience including some grounds keeping or construction.

Knowledge

Basic grounds keeping and/or construction and related tools and equipment

Abilities

Maintain safe work environment.
Act in a courteous and diplomatic manner with members of the public.
Work effectively alone or as a member of a crew.
Follow oral and written instructions given in English.
Complete simple records in English.
Safely perform manual labor.
Learn and effectively perform basic plumbing and rough carpentry.
Learn the operation of power tools and equipment and the performance of a variety of semi‑skilled tasks.
Safely handle fertilizers.
Perform basic arithmetical calculations.

If assigned to the Wharf or beach parks

Learn the operation of a power boat, barge or personal water craft.
Operate beach grooming equipment
Must be able to work in close proximity with the public under crowded conditions.

If assigned to Open Space

Learn how to identify sensitive wildlife and plant species and nesting birds.

Willingness

Work outdoors under any weather conditions.
Perform call-back duty as required.
Work irregular shifts, holidays and weekends.
Wear a uniform.

Licenses and Certificates

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California class C driver’s license.
Possession of a valid California Boater Card within six months of hire, is required for wharf or beach parks job assignments or qualification under an approved exemption as defined by law, such as California Harbors and Navigation Code
678.11.

Desirable Qualifications

Knowledge of the basic techniques, equipment and materials used in groundskeeping, landscaping, carpentry and plumbing.
Knowledge of the safety procedures for operating power equipment and tools and equipment.
Knowledge of the proper procedures for safely handling and applying fertilizers.
General knowledge of western states' horticulture.
Skill to effectively and safely operate the tools and light equipment used in landscape construction and turf maintenance.
Skill to perform routine preventive maintenance and repair on tools and equipment.

If assigned to the Wharf or beach parks