Grounds Maintenance Technician III

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Parks Supervisor, the Grounds Maintenance Technician III performs a variety of highly skilled grounds maintenance and operations tasks. Additionally, this role leads Parks teams on specialized irrigation and landscaping projects. The Technician maintains City owned and leased properties, including parks, open space, facilities grounds, and streetscapes. The position is within the Department of Neighborhoods and serves all city departments and properties.

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ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1.  System and Property Assessment, Repairs and Project Planning

1.1  Troubleshoots issues and identifies need for service.

1.2  Identifies specialized service needs, provides recommendations to the Manager, and assists external service technicians with onsite access and field support.

1.3         Performs condition assessments and makes recommendations for improvement.

1.4         Collaborates with the Parks Supervisor to draft preventative maintenance schedules and leads daily execution of planned tasks.

2.  Performs construction projects

2.1  Reads and interprets blueprints, sketches, and work orders to perform work.

2.2         Analyzes conditions and proposes solutions.

2.3  Selects materials and prepares project cost estimates.

2.4  Provides quality control on project sites, guiding crew members to ensure work complies with city regulations and safety standards.

3.         Performs grounds maintenance, repairs and construction.

Monitors daily park safety and readiness for public use, addressing field issues directly or escalating complex matters to the Parks Supervisor.        3.2         Operates, repairs and builds irrigation systems.

        3.3         Maintains and repairs tools, power tools, and other equipment.

        3.4        Transports and operates grounds maintenance and other equipment.

        3.5  Leads field tree care activities under the direction of a certified arborist, ensuring proper techniques and safety protocols.

        3.6        Cuts, trims and edges turf areas.

        3.7        Performs turf maintenance such as fertilizing, insecticide and herbicide spraying, aerating.

        3.8        Prunes and deadheads shrubs, flowers and perennials.

        3.9        Plants flowers, trees, shrubs and lays sod.

        3.10        Controls weeds by hand pulling, spraying or other means.

        3.11  Monitors watering and adjusts based on plant health and water conservation goals.

        3.12         Rakes, blows and disposes of leaves.

        3.13         Cleans up litter and other debris and empties garbage cans.

        3.14  Removes snow from sidewalks, trails, drives and parking lots.

        3.15  Cleans restrooms, pavilions, picnic tables, bleachers, benches and other facilities and amenities.

        3.16  Inspects and performs playground repairs in accordance with standards.

        3.17  Cleans sports courts, fences and other equipment.

        3.18  Removes graffiti from surfaces.

        3.19         Builds minor capital projects, such as paving, fencing, curbs, landscaped areas and irrigation.

        3.20         Responds to city emergencies and on-call duties.

4.  Keeps records of work, requests and incidents.

4.1  Tracks work orders, labor, and resources used in a computerized system.

4.2  Keeps records of building incidents and emergencies.

4.3  Orders and inventories maintenance supplies and parts.

5.  Lead Duties and Team Coordination

5.1         Serves as onsite lead for complex or large-scale projects, organizing daily workflow and assigning tasks to crew members.

5.2         Supports special event planning, operations, setup, and breakdown.

5.3  Assigns and oversees daily work tasks for community service workers and seasonal staff, ensuring work is completed safely and correctly.

5.4         Provides onsite direction and instruction for volunteer groups during community service projects.

5.5 Acts as a technical resource and peer mentor for Grounds Technicians I & II, promoting safe work practices and proper equipment operation.

6. Other duties as assigned.

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATIONS

●        High school diploma or GED equivalent.

●        Five (5) years of experience in grounds systems maintenance, construction or repair or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.

●        Possession of at least 3 certifications evidencing advanced training and skills in the green industry, including irrigation, water conservation, pesticide/herbicide application, playground inspection, turf management and arboriculture. Examples include: CPSI, Irrigation Association, PGMS, QWEL, UCNP, UDAF, ISA.

●        Must possess a valid state driver's license or obtain one prior to employment. Possession of a CDL is preferred.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1.        Knowledge of tools, equipment, materials and supplies used in outdoor grounds maintenance, repairs and construction.

2.        Knowledge of park and grounds management, maintenance and operations best practices.

3.        Skill in advanced turf, tree and landscape maintenance.

4.        Skill in operation of grounds maintenance equipment including mowers, trimmers, edgers, blowers, chainsaws, snowblowers, UTVs, trucks, trailers, plows and other vehicles. 

5.        Skill in using computers and software, including internet, email, spreadsheets and word-processing.

6.        Skill in operation and maintenance of irrigation systems.

7.        Skill in learning and applying technical information and standards.

8.        Skill in time management, prioritization, and field task delegation.

9.        Skill in customer service, peer leadership, conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving.

10.        Ability to lead, guide, and instruct crew members on specialized landscape, irrigation, and maintenance projects under Parks Supervisor’s oversight.

11.        Skill in communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

12.        Skill in providing a high standard of customer service.

13.        Skill in working independently and using good judgement.

14.        Ability to use equipment and tools properly and safely.                                                 

15.        Ability to complete forms, reports and orders on a computer.         

16.        Ability to drive a vehicle with a trailer or other attached equipment.

17.        Ability to maintain a regular schedule and complete daily tasks according to work schedule.

18.        Ability to work occasional weekends, evenings and a rotating on-call schedule.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met or will be encountered by an employee while successfully performing 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 frequently required to use hands and arms to operate objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift weights up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts or in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and frequently to hot and cold temperatures. The employee may work near or with fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment can reach moderately noisy levels. The employee works in public spaces and frequently interacts with people.

The employee is required to wear a uniform and personal protective equipment including safety vest, long pants, boots, and as needed ear and eye protection.

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