Grounds Worker I

Title: Grounds Worker I Exempt/Non-Exempt

Position: Grounds Worker I

Description: This is a recurring 6-month seasonal position within the Parks Division of the department, not to exceed 1456 hours in a calendar year. The schedule is a 40-hour work week that includes a non-standard work week that may include a flexible schedule to include weekends and evenings. Overtime is paid after 40 hours.

The work performed requires knowledge and experience in turf management and landscape practices.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED ------------------------

Direct supervision is received from the Parks Foreman and other Full-Time Parks Staff. Considerable independent judgment is exercised while completing daily assignments.

COMPETENCIES --------------

Team Player Safety-Conscious Dependable Task-Oriented

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES --------------------------------------

Plants and trims lawns, trees, bushes, hedges, and shrubs using commercial equipment, hand, and power tools.

Landscapes new ground areas, repairs damaged ground areas, replaces bushes, hedges, shrubs, and trees.

Is responsible for daily and routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment, including vehicles, commercial mowing equipment, tractors, trailers, snowplows, and ground and minor equipment.

Care for landscaped and athletic field areas by watering, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, routine maintenance, and controlling weeds.

Is responsible for assisting in the turf management program to include routine and restoration maintenance of athletic fields.

Perform seasonal grounds keeping and recreational support duties as required.

The work schedule for this position is routinely a standard work week but can include a flexible schedule to include weekend and evening hours.

May include outside winter work in the maintenance of ice rink trails and other winter recreation venues.

Performs related work as required for the effective operation of the department.

May supervise seasonal employees and volunteers under the Parks Division of the department performing routine tasks.

Various building and facility maintenance tasks to include light construction projects.

Assists in the set up and down of equipment for special events.

Maintains repairs and constructs outdoor areas, i.e., cement fences, light carpentry, playgrounds.

Prepares athletic fields and parks for events.

Participates in the City-wide emergency response programs. The Grounds Worker must be available in the event of emergency situations to assist in coordinating restoration of services and clean-up activities.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS ------------------------

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USE -------------------------

Equipment operated includes but not limited to:

• Power and hand tools
• Chain saws
• Various landscape, turf management, and tree care equipment
• Compact utility tractor with loader
• Backhoe and implements
• Truck with boom bucket and snow removal equipment

MANDATORY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS --------------------------------------

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of three years of experience performing commercial parks, athletic turf management, or tree care maintenance activities

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to operate and maintain equipment, including but not limited to vehicles, commercial turf mowers, tractors, and chain saws
• Possess knowledge of turf management practices to recognize possible problems
• Considerable knowledge and methods of commercial landscaping practices and plant care
• Considerable knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to grounds keeping and maintenance work
• Considerable knowledge of cultivation, weed control, seeding, and planting of trees, shrubs, athletic turf, and flowerbeds
• Ability to recognize and report back to the foreman common plant and turf diseases and insect pests
• Detail-oriented with considerable attention to order and potential hazards in public landscapes and athletic fields
• Ability to follow oral instructions and read written instructions
• Ability to use hand tools, including electronic equipment, and operate motorized equipment and vehicles, such as cars, trucks, or tractors, and implements
• Requires speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information
• Includes issuing and receiving assignments, instructions, and/or directions
• Good interpersonal skills, the ability to deal effectively with the general public, children of various ages, as well as coworkers and other municipal employees
• Ability to complete several tasks in decentralized areas
• Ability to recognize need for equipment repairs

PHYSICAL DEMANDS ------------------

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls
• Reach with hands and arms
• Stand, walk, talk, or hear
• Sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Smell
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 80lbs
• Possess accurate depth perception, near/far vision of 20/40 uncorrected or corrected, and the ability to distinguish colors
• Ability to hear within three feet and on the telephone
• Possess fine motor dexterity in both hands

WORK ENVIRONMENT ------------------

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Sit, stand, talk, and hear
• Walk various sites, including rough and uneven surfaces
• Work outdoors and work in inclement and severe weather
• Ascend and descend ladders, stairs, ramps, etc.
• Work in a variety of settings and is frequently around children of all ages
• The noise level in the work environment can be extremely noisy when parks equipment is being used
• Additional occupational risks may be present as related to chemicals from supplies, operation of equipment, and completing maintenance activities in commercial parks, athletic turf management, and tree care

SELECTION GUIDELINES ----------------------

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, and reference check, job-related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER -----------------------------

The City of Saco is strong, committed to diversity in its workforce. We are an equal employment opportunity employer.

Education and Experience: Close Date: EOE Statement:

The City of Saco is strongly committed to diversity in its workforce. We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, veteran or disability status, religion, age, gender orientation, or other protected status.

Category: Parks and Recreation

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