Playground Equipment Safety Specialist (14318, Grade 16)

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission; Hyattsville (MD); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission is seeking a Playground Equipment Safety Specialist to inspect, repair, and maintain playground structures across Prince George’s County. The role involves fieldwork, safety inspections, and coordination with designers and inspectors to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Applicants should have at least two years of general trades experience and two years in playground equipment repair/installation, with a GED or high school diploma.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Two years of general trades experience is preferred.
• Two years of experience in playground equipment repair and installation are required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, totaling four years.
• Within twelve months of hire, obtain Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct routine preventive maintenance for play equipment.
• Perform safety inspections, identify defects, and implement repairs.
• Prepare records of inspections and repairs, estimate materials, and manage parts inventory.
• Provide technical guidance to designers and inspectors on safety guidelines and standards.
• Lead staff in repair, maintenance, and installation of play structures; supervise site inspections.

Skills

General trades experience

Playground equipment repair

Equipment installation

Safety awareness

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

The Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission is an award-winning organization with over 5,000 employees that administers over 52,000 acres of stream valley parks, large regional parks, neighborhood parks, and park-school recreation areas throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. In Prince George’s County, we are also responsible for developing the County’s public recreation programs.

The Department of Parks & Recreation has the overall responsibility for planning, supervising, and coordinating all park/recreation facilities and services throughout Prince George’s County. The Northern Region Parks Division (NRPD) is one of three maintenance Divisions within this Department and is composed of eight major work programs: Fleet Management/Trades, Building Maintenance, Area Maintenance, Playgrounds, Trails, Athletic Field/Turf Management, Trash/Recycling/Waste Management, Program Support, and the administrative section. The mission of NRPD is to provide professional, high-quality maintenance and maintenance support services for all parks and recreation facilities and to support the diverse work programs of the Parks & Recreation Department in Prince George’s County and its customers.

Work Hours

5:45 am – 2:30 pm

• Plans and conducts routine preventive maintenance programs for play equipment. Performs safety inspections to discover structural problems and defects, determines needed repairs, and implements corrective action. Makes minor repairs and replacements (e.g., swings, S-hooks, chains, etc.). Disable or remove defective equipment as required. Makes recommendations on closing and removing major equipment.
• Prepares records of inspections and completed repairs. Estimates materials and supplies needed and selects and purchases all repair and replacement parts. Submits annual budget requests. Receives shipments of supplies and keeps stock inventory.
• Provides technical advice to park designers and inspectors on selecting, installing, and maintaining play structures and on required compliance with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines and manufacturer's specifications. Provides regional representation and input at pre- and post-construction meetings and during installation. Provides significant information into scheduling play equipment renovation in the Capital Improvement Program.
• Provides leadership and coordination for staff involved in the repair, maintenance, installation, and design alteration of play equipment. Ensure that work projects are performed completely and correctly. Conducts site inspections as required.
• Informs manufacturers about problems and recommends design alterations of play equipment. Makes arrangements with factory representatives for the inspection of design flaws.
• Uses a variety of hand and power tools. Performs routine welding, masonry, carpentry, and mechanical work.
• Provides training for Commission employees and other groups in the various safety considerations in play equipment selection, installation, and maintenance as needed. Designs, prepares, and presents play equipment safety workshops as required. Reviews specialized literature to keep up with current design trends.
• Attends on-site meetings with citizens to respond to their concerns, discuss installations, and explain the safety program.

1. High School diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).
2. Two (2) years of general trades experience and two (2) years of experience in playground equipment repair and installation.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
4. Obtain within twelve (12) months of hire Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification.
5. Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's licenses must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of their position.
6. Pass Commission medical examination.

Class/Specification: Playground Equipment Safety Specialist

Works in the field and office. Considerable driving. Exposed to varying weather conditions, dirt, and welding torch and fumes.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.