Parks Maintenance Worker

Parks Maintenance Worker

Salary

$60,386.82 Annually

Location

Multiple Locations, Madison, WI

Job Type

PERMANENT FULL TIME

Job Number

2026-00190

Department

Parks Division

Opening Date

06/15/2026

Closing Date

6/22/2026 11:59 PM Central

Comp. Group/Range

16/09

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

Make a difference by helping to keep our Madison Parks beautiful! As a Parks Maintenance Worker you will perform varied public works maintenance and construction activities in all areas within the Parks Division. Work includes the following:

• Manual labor tasks

• Equipment operation

• Use of hand and power tools for grounds and building maintenance work

• Routine maintenance of tools and equipment

• Cleaning and maintenance of Parks facilities

At times the work will include assisting with training and guiding the work of a crew of seasonal staff as assigned. Work is done independently or as part of a team or crew, and is directed and reviewed by an operations leadworker or designated supervisor for conformance with established procedures and/or objectives.

Employees are scheduled to work 40 hours per week and work will generally be performed between the hours of 4:00 am and 6:00 pm. Scheduled work times and days of work may vary by season, based on agency needs.

The current recruitment is to fill one (1) vacant position

This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies that occur in this classification in West, Central, or East Parks, Forest Hill Cemetery, or the State Street Mall Concourse that may arise over the next six (6) months.

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn't match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Park Maintenance Work

• Mow parks, greenways, and boulevards using mowers and string trimmers.
• Build and maintain skating rinks including installing and removing hockey boards and daily clearing and flooding.
• Remove snow and ice from paths, bus stops, sidewalks, parking lots, etc.
• Remove trash from parks, boulevards, and assigned routes, to include picking trash, emptying barrels and operating garbage packer truck as assigned.
• Prune trees and shrubs using chain saws and various hand tools.
• Perform regular maintenance of shrub, perennial and annual flower beds, including planting, weeding, watering, mulching, deadheading, pruning, and seasonal change-outs.
• Support the work in managed natural areas including cutting and removing brush, pulling invasive plants, mowing, applying herbicides, and assisting with managed burns under supervision.
• Perform athletic field maintenance as required, including aerification, fertilization, seeding, and sodding.
• Mulch leaves in the fall and spring.
• Maintain beaches and volleyball courts using tractors and handheld equipment.
• Repair turf damage as needed.
• Perform regular playground maintenance, to include removal of litter and graffiti, raking of surfacing, and performing visual safety inspections.
• Remove graffiti from park amenities as necessary.
• Perform cleaning of shelter facilities and restrooms.
• Perform routine maintenance, repair and painting of tables, benches and hockey boards.
• Train seasonal and permanent staff.
• Set-up for special events within parks.
• Perform special maintenance projects.

Preventative Maintenance of Parks Equipment

• Perform preventative maintenance of equipment to include, blade sharpening, greasing and oil changes, power washing, etc.
• Clean vehicles as needed.
• Transport equipment and vehicles for use, maintenance, storage, etc.
• Report damages and/or repairs to supervisor or mechanic as appropriate.
• Direct the work of hourly personnel as assigned.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Six (6) months of experience as a Parks Worker and/or seasonal Laborer with the City of Madison Parks Division.

• OR-

• One (1) year of directly related experience performing varied manual and semi-skilled work in landscaping, grounds maintenance, custodial, construction, or other related outdoor labor experience, similar to that performed by a Parks Worker.

• OR-

• Two (2) years of experience using common hand tools, power tools, and equipment used in related public works maintenance and grounds work; AND

• Familiarity with the following:

• Related plant/lawn care principles.

• Heavy manual and semi-skilled tasks incorporating strenuous physical activity for extended periods of time often under adverse weather conditions.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the knowledge, skills and abilities, please view the class specification.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Class A Commercial Drivers License with N (Tanker) endorsement within six (6) months of hire. The successful candidate must have passed the written portion of the relevant Department of Transportation testing process by the start date. A condition of continued employment is passage of the skills portion of the test and obtaining the required operators license within six (6) months.
• Must maintain an acceptance rate of 50% or better on all seasonal overtime offered.
• Must maintain adequate attendance.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift/carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds frequently (bags of seed or trash barrels) and must be capable of lifting 100 pounds maximum weight.
• Ability to perform a high percentage of work outdoors in all types of weather while walking and standing.
• Ability to frequently bend, twist, squat, and reach for extended periods of time.
• Work may involve walking over uneven surfaces, reaching, climbing, kneeling, and stooping.

The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.

Compensation

The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current salary schedules for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.

Benefits

The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our website for more information.

Leave

Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.

0-3 years 10 work days of vacation

After 3 years 12-1/2 days

After 7 years 15 days

After 11 years 17-1/2 days

After 15 years 20 days

After 19 years 25 days

After 27 years 27 days

Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.

Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve).

Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.

Retirement

The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Insurance

The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
• Long Term Care Insurance

Other Benefits

The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:

• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training

01

How much work experience do you have that regularly involved turf management, commercial snow removal, and/or outdoor general maintenance?

• Two (2) or more years
• One (1) to less than two (2) years
• Six (6) months to less than one (1) year
• Some, but less than (6) months
• No related work experience

02

Please indicate where you received training and/or gained experience in turf management, commercial snow removal, and/or outdoor general maintenance? (Check all that apply)

• City of Madison Parks Worker or Seasonal employee of the City of Madison Parks Department
• City, County, State, or National Park service (not including the City of Madison)
• Other public works agency
• Greenhouse or landscape products business
• Landscape services business
• Private contractor
• Completed turf management coursework/training through an accredited college/university or professional training program (CAEP, National Association of Landscape Professional, Sports Field Management Association, etc.)
• Other
• No related training or experience

03

If you answered Other to the previous question, please indicate where you received training and/or gained experience performing turf management, commercial snow removal, and/or outdoor general maintenance.

04

Please indicate the type(s) of related duties/responsibilities you have at least one (1) year of experience performing. You should be able to demonstrate proficiency in performing each duty/responsibility that you select and you may later be evaluated as part of a skills assessment. (Check all that apply)

• Application of pesticides and herbicides
• Assisted with burial tasks at a cemetery
• Basic building maintenance/construction
• Basic equipment maintenance/service/repair
• Cleaning restrooms
• Commercial cleaning
• Commercial mowing
• Commercial painting
• Commercial snow removal
• Customer service
• Equipment greasing
• Ice rink maintenance
• Invasive species removal/management
• Lawn mower blade sharpening
• Oil changes
• Plant identification
• Power washing
• Pruning/mulching/plant maintenance
• Playground maintenance
• Removal of graffiti
• Removal/proper disposal of garbage/litter/refuse/waste
• Removal/proper disposal of recyclable materials
• Turf maintenance of athletic fields or golf courses
• None of the above

05

Please check the type(s) of equipment you have at least one (1) year of experience using. You should be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use/operation of each type of equipment that you select and you may later be evaluated as part of a skills assessment. (Check all that apply)

• Chainsaw
• Commercial snowplow
• Leaf blower
• Manual hand tools (wrenches, pliers, cutters, files, hammers, screwdrivers, vises, clamps, snips, hacksaws, and/or drills, etc.)
• Power hand tools (drills, saws, sanders, and/or grinders, etc.)
• Pressure washer
• Push mower
• Push snow blower
• Skid steer loader
• String trimmer
• Tractor-mounted mower
• Tractor-style riding mower
• Truck towing trailer
• Utility vehicle (Toolcat or similar)
• Zero-turn riding mower
• None of the above

06

Do you have experience leading or directing the work of other staff/personnel?

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered Yes to the previous question, please briefly describe any leadership/supervisory roles that you have held.

08

Do you have a valid Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL)?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have a valid Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification? (Please note: A Pesticide Applicator Certification is not required for this position; however, a Parks Maintenance Worker who holds a valid certification may apply pesticides)

• Yes
• No

10

Please indicate if you have been a participant in any of the following programs or attended any listed outreach events.

• Centro
• Latino Academy of Workforce Development
• Operation Fresh Start
• Urban League
• WRTP: Big Step
• Other

11

If you were a participant in any of the programs listed above, please indicate the specific program name and the year(s) in which you participated. [Example: Operation Fresh Start Conservation Academy, 2026]

Required Question

Employer Madison, City of (WI)

Address 215 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.

MMB Rm 261

MADISON, Wisconsin, 53703

Phone (608) 266-4615

Website http://www.cityofmadison.com/jobs