Parks - Park Worker III - Parks

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision or direction, to perform a variety of manual tasks related to the maintenance and care of municipal building grounds, athletic fields, and city parks. Duties include groundskeeping, landscaping, and upkeep to ensure safe, clean, and attractive public spaces. In the absence of the Crew Chief, to supervise and assist staff in daily park maintenance and development activities, ensuring work is completed efficiently and to established standards.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position exercises supervision over lower-level staff.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assist with supervision and training of park maintenance staff, ensuring compliance with safety standards and proper work practices.
• Lead and participate in park maintenance activities, including scheduling and coordination of daily assignments.
• Operate and maintain a variety of equipment, including mowers, tractors, loaders, backhoes, and other maintenance machinery.
• Perform general grounds maintenance such as mowing, watering, fertilizing, planting, trimming, and minor pesticide application in accordance with regulations.
• Inspect parks, athletic fields, and facilities to identify current and future maintenance, repair, or improvement needs; report findings and recommend solutions.
• Maintain and repair park facilities, playgrounds, bleachers, picnic areas, restrooms, and related amenities.
• Assist with light construction and repair projects, including fencing, irrigation systems, and concrete work.
• Perform preventive maintenance and perform minor repairs on vehicles, equipment, and tools to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation of work activities, inspections, and completed projects.
• Operate a City vehicle to travel between assigned parks, ballfields, and facilities in a safe manner.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of

• Park maintenance practices, equipment, tools, and supplies, including basic equipment upkeep and preventive maintenance.
• Landscape construction practices, methods, tools, equipment, and materials.
• Turf, tree, shrub, and plant care, including proper pruning, planting, irrigation, and fertilization techniques.
• Mobile device and computer data entry for work order systems.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices in groundskeeping and equipment operation.
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to

Safely and proficiently operate a variety of maintenance and construction equipment, tools, and vehicles, including pickup trucks, tractors, riding and push mowers, edgers, chain saws, string trimmers, utility lift buckets, brush chippers, and front loaders.

Perform basic troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and minor repairs on assigned tools and equipment.

Operate a motor vehicle in compliance with traffic laws and departmental policies.

Ability to

• Lead and guide work crews, providing clear direction, training, and support in the absence of a supervisor.
• Exercise attention to detail when distinguishing desirable plants from weeds or invasive species during maintenance and landscaping tasks.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and prepare accurate digital and written reports.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
• Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
• Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience

Two (2) years of experience working in a landscape crew environment, preferably in a park maintenance and development setting, is preferred.

Education/Training

Formal or informal education or training which ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance is required.

License or Certificate

• A valid Texas driver's license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.
• A Texas Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial applicators license or the ability to obtain within six (6) months is required.

Special Requirements

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment

Work involves exposure to outdoor conditions, noise, vibration, chemicals, and mechanical hazards.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

___ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

_X_ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often

• N = No
• E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
• M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
• I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
• A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

• _E__ Standing
• _M__ Sitting
• _E__ Walking
• _M__ Lifting
• _M__ Carrying
• _M__ Pushing/Pulling
• _I__ Overhead Work
• _M__ Fine Dexterity
• _M__ Kneeling
• _I__ Crouching
• _I__ Crawling
• _M__ Bending
• _I__ Twisting
• _I__ Climbing
• _M__ Balancing
• _E__ Vision
• _E__ Hearing
• _M__ Talking
• ___ Other: ___________________