Utility Laborer

Utility Laborer

Salary

$34.32 Hourly

Location

Various - Seattle area, WA

Job Type

Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time

Job Number

2026-01435

Department

Seattle Parks & Recreation Department

Opening Date

10/27/2026

Closing Date

11/10/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities.

We are seeking an individual who knows how to lead with equity and be anti-racist, deliver on results while maintaining positive relationships with staff and community, deeply values servant leadership and team building, and has experience managing, training, and resourcing teams.

A Utility Laborer, under general supervision, performs a variety of ground maintenance tasks and projects to make parks clean, safe, and welcoming. Most assignments and results are reviewed by a crew chief or other supervisor.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain various public outdoor facilities such as comfort stations, tennis courts, picnic grounds, play areas, and wading pools.
• Mow, edge, and trim lawns using power hand and small riding mowers, edgers, and line trimmers.
• Maintain athletic fields including daily preparation and seasonal rehabilitation of baseball, softball, soccer, football, rugby, lacrosse, fields including synthetic turf surfaces.
• Collect litter and garbage.
• Perform hard surface maintenance such as pressure washing.
• Clean and maintain comfort stations.
• Assist in a variety of gardening and maintenance work.
• May be assigned to lead the work of Regular or Temporary Laborers.
• Work as part of a team.
• Perform other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

Examples of Duties:

• Provide manual assistance to other workers and use various types of hand and small power tools such as hammers, saws, axes, drills, jackhammers, rotary drills, weed eaters, backpack blowers, shovels, and scythes.
• Do excavation work and assist in shoring and timbering.
• Dig trenches, fence post holes, and other holes using hand tools; grub stumps; clean ditches, and storm drains.
• Operates on site garbage compactors and dock bulls.
• Set up and remove chairs, risers, portable turnstiles, and flooring. Operate mechanical riding scrubbers and polishers; sweep floors and wash windows.
• Provide regular and ongoing care, preparation and maintenance for small or medium sized parks (up to 20 acres) containing up to 4 distinct outdoor recreation features i.e. ballfields, tennis courts, fountains, picnic grounds, play areas, wading pools, horseshoe courts, etc.
• Drive pickup trucks and other smaller (generally less than 10,000 pounds GVW) motorized vehicles or equipment in connection with work activities.
• Clean, paint, and sort water meters to be repaired.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification

• Six months of experience performing general laboring/manual work, good physical condition, and the ability to work with hand and power tools is required.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Current State of Washington drivers license when required.

Additional Information

• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• Frequently required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds. May occasionally be required to lift objects weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Occasionally requires handling or working with toxic/hazardous substances.
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary for this position is $34.32 per hour.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation - Parks | seattle.gov

SPR's Core Competencies are:

• Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.
• Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the Citys commitment to workforce equity.
• Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
• Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
• Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.

We recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as chatbots, automated response generators, or language models, can be helpful during the job search process. If you choose to use them, please carefully review all materials before submission to ensure accuracy, as you will be required to affirm that your responses are true and correct during the application process. Submitting inaccurate or misleading information may result in disqualification. Please also note that relying on AI to complete text-based supplemental questions or during interviews may not accurately represent your skills and experiences, which are critical to applicant success. In some cases, you may be instructed not to use AI tools during the selection process. Learn more about the City of Seattle AI Policy here.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

Do you have a Washington State drivers license, or evidence of equivalent mobility?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current or former Seattle Parks and Recreation employee?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you able and willing to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have at least six months of experience performing general laboring/manual work involving the construction, installation, repair, and maintenance of public facilities (Combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability)?

• Yes
• No

05

Will you need a translator for the interview/working test?

• Yes
• No

06

If you need a translator, what language?

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs