Parks Maintenance Worker I, II, Parks Caretaker I, II

Polk County Board of County Commissioners; United States; On-site; USD 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Polk County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Parks Maintenance staff to maintain and repair county parks, grounds, athletic fields, and facilities for safe public use.

Positions range from maintenance workers to caretakers, with duties including mowing, trash removal, equipment operation, and field preparation. Training may lead to leadership roles; valid Florida driver’s license required.

Qualifications

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License.
• Comparable combination of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications, except where licensure and certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintains parks, grounds, athletic fields, buildings, and facilities for safe public use.
• Performs routine grounds maintenance such as mowing, edging, and debris removal.
• Operates light and some heavy equipment when trained and authorized.
• Assists with facility setup, events, and related activities.
• Keeps records of daily work and completes routine work orders.

Skills

Manual labor

Operate grounds equipment

Lift up to 50 pounds

Outdoor work

Safety awareness

Valid Florida Driver's License

Education

Eighth-grade education

Tools

Tractors

Forklifts

Lawn equipment

Job description

Parks and Natural Resources

Parks Maintenance

Parks Maintenance Worker Starting Salary

I - PG 5: $16.40

II - PG 6: $16.67

Parks Caretaker Starting Salary

I - PG 8: $17.88

II - PG 10: $19.72

Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Essential functions and job-related requirements, including physical and cognitive demands, are described below. This job description outlines the general scope of duties and responsibilities and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all tasks that may be assigned.

MAJOR FUNCTION

Performs a progressively skilled range of work to maintain, repair, and prepare County parks, grounds, athletic fields, building, and recreational facilities for safe public use. Assignments begin with routine grounds and facility maintenance and advance, with training and experience, to specialized equipment operations, construction, and repairs, irrigation and turf management, athletic field preparations, and crew leadership.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

• Assists with or performs routine maintenance and preparation of natural grass and synthetic turf athletic fields, including mowing, trimming, edging, grooming, and debris removal.
• Cleans and sanitizes restrooms, pavilions, buildings, and other public-use facilities.
• Collects litter, removes debris, and maintains clean, orderly grounds and work areas.
• Loads, unloads, transports, and stores materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Assembles, installs, maintains, and repairs park furnishings including picnic tables, benches, and bleachers.
• Operates assigned tools, vehicles, and equipment safely; performs routine cleaning, inspections, and operator-level maintenance.
• Assists with facility setup, special events, and related operational activities.
• Documents daily work activities and completes routine work orders and records using written and electronic systems including specialized computer software.
• Properly uses, inspects, and maintains required personal protective equipment and safety devices in accordance with established safety procedures and applicable regulations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Parks Maintenance Worker I

• Performs routine grounds maintenance and manual labor, including weeding, raking, planting, and digging.
• Operates assigned light-duty vehicles, hand power tools, and small grounds maintenance equipment, including mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, pressure washers, and pickup trucks, when trained and authorized.

Parks Maintenance Worker II

• Performs basic maintenance and repairs to buildings, park fixtures, tables, and grills.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs fencing and relative fixtures.
• Applies fertilizers and herbicides with hand-operated applicators in accordance with training, supervision, and applicable requirements.
• Assists with athletic field maintenance and the installation, maintenance, and repair of irrigation components.
• Provides task guidance and on-the-job training to other staff when assigned.

Parks Caretaker I

• Performs skilled grounds and landscape maintenance, including sod installation, tree planting, fertilizing, trimming, edging, and sign installation.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs playground equipment and related amenities.
• Installs, adjusts, maintains, and repairs irrigation system components, including sprinklers, piping, and valves.
• Prepares and maintains athletic fields for open use, practices, games, and tournament use.
• Performs athletic field layout and repair using appropriate tools and equipment.
• Operates assigned tractors, loaders, forklifts, trenchers, dump trucks, and truck-and-trailer combinations, consistent with required training and licensure.
• Serves as a crew leader when assigned, coordinating daily tasks and assisting less experienced staff.

Parks Caretaker II

• Regularly leads assigned crews, coordinating work activities and promoting safe, efficient completion of assignments.
• Performs advanced maintenance, preparation, and repair of natural grass and synthetic turf athletic fields, including specialized turf care and field preparation.
• Applies fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and other approved turf treatments in accordance with applicable licensing, labeling, and safety requirements.
• Installs, diagnoses, maintains, and repairs irrigation systems and associated components.
• Conducts facility and grounds safety inspections, identifies deficiencies and coordinates or performs authorized corrective work.
• Maintains accurate perpetual inventory and records for chemicals, tools, and equipment stored onsite.
• Operates heavy-duty and specialty maintenance equipment as trained, licensed, and authorized.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Ability to perform routine manual labor and develop skills in increasingly complex maintenance activities.
• Ability to learn and safely operate grounds maintenance tools, equipment, and vehicles.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, perform basic calculations, and maintain accurate routine records.
• Ability to use basic computer applications and learn electronic work-order and maintenance systems.
• Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform assigned work outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Ability to work at different locations and varied schedules as operational needs require.
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and the public.
• Ability to learn and apply occupational hazard awareness, safety precautions, and safe work practices appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Ability to learn safe handling and application procedures for fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, consistent with required training and authorization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – Items below are cumulative. Advancement to each level requires meeting the minimum qualifications and requirements of the preceding level(s)

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida’s Driver’s License.
• A comparable combination of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications, except where licensure and certification is required.

Parks Maintenance Worker I – Pay Grade 05

• No prior experience required.

Parks Maintenance Worker II – Pay Grade 06

• Six (6) months of experience in park maintenance, grounds maintenance, or related work.

Parks Caretaker I – Paygrade 08

• Minimum of an eighth-grade education
• One (1) year of experience in park maintenance, grounds maintenance or related work
• Must possess a valid Florida Class “B” CDL with air brake endorsement at the time of application and maintain the required license and endorsement throughout employment.

Parks Caretaker II – Paygrade 10

• Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma
• Three (3) years of experience in park maintenance, grounds maintenance, or related work.
• Must possess a valid Florida Class “B” CDL with air brake endorsement at the time of application and maintain the required license and endorsement throughout employment.
• Must possess and maintain Trenching & Excavation Competent Person certification, or equivalent qualification, in accordance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
• Must possess and maintain a current Florida Ornamental and Turf Pest Control license, or equivalent as recognized by the appropriate licensing authority.
• Must have successfully completed at least one County-approved safety or hazard recognition course, or equivalent training.

SPECIAL PREFERENCES

Parks Caretaker I

• Experience in the use of transits, chain-link fence installation, turf management, athletic field maintenance, or landscape maintenance is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to change primary reporting location for short- or long-term assignments
• Must be capable of working various schedules for short- or long-term assignments.
• Must successfully complete and maintain eligibility through a Florida Department of Law Enforcement background screening as a condition of employment.
• This full-time position is based in Polk County, Florida. Flexibility may be required to support emergencies outside of regular business hours.

All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.