Parks & Recreation Maintenance Associate I

City of Decatur, AL; Decatur (AL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Decatur, AL is seeking a Parks Maintenance Associate to keep parks, athletic fields and recreation facilities safe, clean, and welcoming for the community. You will support turf care, landscaping, and irrigation tasks while assisting with tournaments and events.

The role involves outdoor work in varying weather, operating tools and equipment, and performing basic repairs. Join a team dedicated to vibrant, well-maintained public spaces.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience with parks/grounds maintenance preferred.
• Must be able to operate hand and power tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintenance of city parks, athletic fields and facilities.
• Perform turf management and prepare athletic fields for play.
• Install and maintain landscaping and remove litter from recreation areas.
• Assist in preparing for tournaments, events and programs.
• Trim trees and ornamental plants; report maintenance needs.
• Help repair and maintain tools/equipment; minor carpentry/plumbing/electrical work.
• Assist in irrigation system repairs; perform related duties.

Job description

Are you someone who takes pride in your work, enjoys working outdoors, and wants to make a visible difference in your community? The City of Decatur is seeking a dedicated Parks Maintenance Associate to help keep our parks, athletic fields, and recreation facilities safe, clean, attractive, and ready for the community to enjoy. In this role, you’ll be more than a maintenance employee—you’ll play an important part in maintaining the spaces where Decatur residents gather, play, compete, and create lasting memories. From caring for turf and landscaping and preparing athletic fields to maintaining facilities and supporting tournaments, special events, and community programs, your work will help ensure Decatur’s parks are welcoming, safe, and well-maintained for everyone.

• Assists in the maintenance of city parks, athletic fields, and related facilities; performs turf management duties; prepares athletic fields for play.

• Installs and maintains landscaping.
• Removes litter and debris from playgrounds, parking lots, pavilions, and other park facilities; empties trash receptacles.
• Assists in preparing for tournaments, special events, and programs.
• Trims, removes and provides care for trees, bushes and ornamental plants.
• Inspects playground and reports maintenance needs to supervisor.
• Assists in the repair and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Performs minor carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs.
• Assists in repairing of irrigation systems.
• Performs related duties.

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alabama for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Knowledge of parks and grounds maintenance principles and practices.
• Knowledge of athletic field maintenance principles.
• Skill in the use of hand and power tools.
• Skill in the use of a variety of grounds maintenance tools and equipment.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Guidelines

• City and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work

• The work consists of related maintenance duties. Inclement weather contributes to the complexity of the work.
• The purpose of this position is to assist in the maintenance of city parks and recreation facilities. Successful performance in this position contributes to provision of safe and well-maintained parks.

Contacts

• Contacts are typically with coworkers, other city personnel, vendors, and the general public.
• Contacts are typically to resolve problems and provide services.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• This position requires frequent physical activity and the ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. The employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, and machinery with moving parts. Work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, gloves, etc.
• The employee may regularly stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, climb, reach, and use hand and power tools.
• The position requires the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials, equipment, and other objects of varying weights; work on uneven terrain; and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity, coordination, and physical stamina.
• The employee frequently lifts light and occasionally heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

• None.