Job Title: Parks Maintenance Specialist

Salary range: $18.05 - $27.07/Hour ($37,539.00 - $56,309.00)

Department: Parks & Recreation

Hours: Full-Time, Regular, Hourly

Job Description:

General Statement of Duties
Performs a variety of skilled, semi-skilled and manual labor tasks in the maintenance and repair of Town recreational facilities, parks, and grounds; serves as lead worker.

Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class leads and participates in a variety of skilled, semi-skilled and manual labor tasks related to the maintenance and repair of parks and recreational facilities. The employee leads temporary staff and makes assignments and determines priorities and assures maintenance and repairs meet departmental standards. Work varies by season but includes performing various landscaping and horticultural tasks, performing building maintenance tasks, mowing grass, marking ball fields and operating equipment. The employee also performs unskilled to semi-skilled trades repairs. Work subjects the employee to inside and outside environmental conditions, extremes in temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases and mists. Work is performed under the supervision of the Parks and Recreation Director and is evaluated through regular project updates, direct observation, citizen comments and quality and quantity of work produced.

Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Tasks

• Leads temporary workers and participates in a variety of grounds maintenance and landscape tasks such as cutting grass, mulching, watering, pruning, seeding, fertilizing and trimming and maintaining trails and park areas; applies herbicides and pesticides.
• Leads and participates in the dragging, lining and preparation of athletic fields for play; insures field is safe and not too wet, soft or have rocks or holes; mounts bases.
• Leads and participates in a variety of building maintenance and cleaning activities for the Parks and Recreation buildings, comfort stations, concession stands, parks facilities and other related structures; performs unskilled to semi-skilled carpentry, painting, masonry and plumbing repairs such as replacing irrigation system heads and fittings, replacing sink parts, replacing and unstopping water and sewer lines, repairing concession stands, etc.; cleans and stocks comfort stations and bathrooms; empties trash cans; repairs graffiti.
• Operates a variety of equipment to mow grass and maintain fields; uses chain saws, weed eaters and other light equipment to cut, prune and trim shrubbery and trees; rakes leaves, and removes fallen limbs and trash; operates backhoe to remove stone, snow, or for other purposes; operates tractors to landscape, rake and mow.
• Performs equipment repair and maintenance duties on equipment such as tractors, mowers; changes blades and filters, makes belt changes and adjustments; lubricates equipment.
• Keeps records and prepares reports on division activities such as jobs and materials, playground checks, service records on equipment and vehicles, and time worked; purchases basic supplies and makes recommendations to Director on larger purchases.
• Handles requests for service and complaints concerning facility and grounds operations.
• Inspects parks and facilities for safety and makes records for liability purposes; instructs workers and inspects work for adherence to procedures and standards and to assure safe working practices are followed.

Additional Job Duties
Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of the methods, tools, and equipment utilized in parks, grounds, and facility maintenance and repair.
• Considerable knowledge of the work hazards and applicable safety standards associated with facility and parks maintenance and repair.
• Considerable knowledge of the operation of equipment such as tractor, mower, and other equipment operated.
• Considerable knowledge of cleaning chemicals and pesticide application and ability to obtain necessary State license.
• Some knowledge of turf management and plant installation and maintenance.
• Some knowledge of the application of information technology to the work.
• Skill in the operation of equipment and tools utilized within the section.
• Skill in collaborative conflict resolution.
• Skill in unskilled to semi-skilled trades work including carpentry, plumbing, and masonry.
• Ability to assign and supervise the work of subordinates and to instruct them in proper work and safety methods and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and subordinates.
• Ability to use chemical and pesticides properly and in accordance with State rules and regulations.

Physical Requirement

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate equipment hand tools, equipment and computer, to maintain records, to analyze data and maps, to perform skilled trades tasks, and to inspect worksites.

Desirable Education and Experience
Graduation from high school and considerable experience in the area of parks and recreations maintenance or closely related fields such as landscaping, horticulture, or maintenance, preferably including some supervisory experience or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina commercial driver’s license prior to completion of probationary period.
• Ability to obtain a Pesticide Applicators license within timeframe set by Town.
• Ability to obtain a Playground Maintenance certificate within timeframe set by Town.