Parks - Park Worker I, II - Parks

Abilene; Abilene (TX); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Abilene is seeking a Park Worker I to perform manual ground maintenance across right-of-ways, boulevards, parks, and ball fields. Under general supervision, you will operate a range of equipment and vehicles to keep facilities safe and attractive.

Park Worker II may supervise at a site, perform light construction, and apply pesticides. This role requires reading/writing ability, a Texas driver's license, and the stamina to work outdoors, weekends, and holidays during peak seasons.

Qualifications

• Experience in ground maintenance or related outdoor work.
• Reading and writing ability at a basic level.
• Valid Texas driver's license or ability to obtain within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Operate equipment for maintenance of parks, boulevards, and fields.
• Travel to various city sites and parks daily.
• Water, prune, fertilize plants; plant or transplant as needed.
• Paint and repair park facilities and equipment; perform light construction.
• Keep areas clean; empty trash and maintain restrooms.
• Assist with irrigation and concrete work as needed.

Skills

Equipment operation

Safe driving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Reading and writing proficiency

Tools

Pickup truck

Ditch trencher

Tractor

Riding mower

Push mower

Edger

Chain saw

String trimmer

Brush chipper

Front loader

Backhoe

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to perform manual work involved in ground maintenance of right-of-ways, boulevards, vacant lots, municipal building grounds, ball fields, and all city parks.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The Park Worker I position exercises no supervision.

The Park Worker II position may perform as a lead worker at a work site with some supervision of a crew.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Operate a range of equipment, including trucks and trailers, mowers, small maintenance and construction machinery, lift trucks, tractors, riding mowers, mulchers, edgers, ditchers, and line trimmers, for the maintenance of right-of-ways, boulevards, vacant lots, municipal grounds, ball fields, and city parks.
• Operate a City vehicle daily to travel to various parks, facilities, playgrounds, construction sites, pavilions and other various sites throughout the City of Abilene.
• Water and fertilize grass, trees, shrubs, and other plants; trim and prune trees and shrubs; prepare ground for planting; plant and transplant trees, shrubs, and grass; apply pesticides.
• Paint, repair, and transport bleachers and picnic tables; paint, clean, and make simple repairs on playground equipment and park facilities and equipment.
• Sweep and clean sidewalks; pick up litter; clean restrooms.
• Assist with light construction work such as fence construction, irrigation repair, and installation or forming and finishing concrete.

Park Worker II

• Operate larger maintenance and construction equipment such as front loader, backhoe, larger area mowers, and lift bucket.
• Provide site supervision of other Park employees in the absence of the Crew Chief or Park Worker III.
• Perform simple field repairs to equipment.
• Perform minor pesticide applications such as glyphosate (Roundup).

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

• Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Methods, materials, and equipment used in maintenance work.
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions of general maintenance work
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to:

• Learn to operate a variety of equipment, tools, and vehicles including pick-up truck, ditch trencher, tractor, riding mower, push mower, edger, chain saw, string trimmer, and brush chipper.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Distinguish desirable plants from undesirable plants.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
• Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
• Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Park Worker II

Skill to:

• Learn to operate a variety of heavier, more technical equipment including front loader, backhoe, lift bucket, and large area mower.
• Operate irrigation controllers.

Ability to:

• Identify 70% of the major landscape plants, pests and their symptoms, and weeds found in the Abilene park landscapes, and have some familiarity with their culture.
• Perform calculations and organize information to accurately complete reports.
• Lead and manage a team in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Park Worker I

Experience:

Previous experience in ground maintenance or related manual work in an outside environment is required.

Education/Training:

Formal or informal education or training, which ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance is required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver’s license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Park Worker II

Experience:

A minimum of one (1) year of experience in ground maintenance or related manual skilled work is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

• Bloodborne Pathogen training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment is required.
• Exposure to noise, outdoors, vibration, chemicals, and mechanical hazards.
• Ability to travel to different sites.
• Ability to work some weekends and holidays during peak seasons as required.
• With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:
• ___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
• ___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
• ___ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
• ___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
• ___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes:

The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

• N = No
• E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
• M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
• I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
• A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

• _E_ Standing
• _M_ Sitting
• _E_ Walking
• _M_ Lifting
• _M_ Carrying
• _M_ Pushing/Pulling
• _I_ Overhead Work
• _M_ Fine Dexterity
• _I_ Kneeling
• _I_ Crouching
• _I_ Crawling
• _M_ Bending
• _I_ Twisting
• _I_ Climbing
• _M_ Balancing
• _E_ Vision
• _E_ Hearing
• _M_ Talking
• ___ Other: _____________________