Parks - Park Worker I,II - Parks

About the Role

Under general supervision, this position performs manual work involved in ground maintenance of right-of-ways, boulevards, vacant lots, municipal building grounds, ball fields, and all city parks.

The Park Worker I position exercises no supervision. The Park Worker II position may perform as a lead worker at a work site with some supervision of a crew.

Responsibilities

• Operate a range of equipment, including trucks and trailers, mowers, small maintenance and construction machinery, lift trucks, tractors, riding mowers, mulchers, edgers, ditchers, and line trimmers, for the maintenance of right-of-ways, boulevards, vacant lots, municipal grounds, ball fields, and city parks.
• Operate a City vehicle daily to travel to various parks, facilities, playgrounds, construction sites, pavilions, and other sites throughout the City of Abilene.
• Water and fertilize grass, trees, shrubs, and other plants; trim and prune trees and shrubs; prepare ground for planting; plant and transplant trees, shrubs, and grass; apply pesticides.
• Paint, repair, and transport bleachers and picnic tables; paint, clean, and make simple repairs on playground equipment and park facilities.
• Sweep and clean sidewalks; pick up litter; clean restrooms.
• Assist with light construction work such as fence construction, irrigation repair, and installation or forming and finishing concrete.

Park Worker II Additional Responsibilities

• Operate larger maintenance and construction equipment such as front loader, backhoe, larger area mowers, and lift bucket.
• Provide site supervision of other Park employees in the absence of the Crew Chief or Park Worker III.
• Perform simple field repairs to equipment.
• Perform minor pesticide applications such as glyphosate (Roundup).

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge Of:

• Methods, materials, and equipment used in maintenance work.
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions of general maintenance work.
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Skills To:

• Learn to operate a variety of equipment, tools, and vehicles including pick-up truck, ditch trencher, tractor, riding mower, push mower, edger, chain saw, string trimmer, and brush chipper.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability To:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Distinguish desirable plants from undesirable plants.
• 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.
• Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Park Worker II Additional Skills and Abilities

Skills To:

• Learn to operate a variety of heavier, more technical equipment including front loader, backhoe, lift bucket, and large area mower.
• Operate irrigation controllers.

Ability To:

• Identify 70% of the major landscape plants, pests and their symptoms, and weeds found in the Abilene park landscapes, and have some familiarity with their culture.
• Perform calculations and organize information to accurately complete reports.
• Lead and manage a team in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.

Park Worker I

• Experience: Previous experience in ground maintenance or related manual work in an outside environment is required.
• 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.

Park Worker II

• Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of experience in ground maintenance or related manual skilled work is required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

• Bloodborne Pathogen training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.
• Exposure to noise, outdoors, vibration, chemicals, and mechanical hazards.
• Ability to travel to different sites.
• Ability to work some weekends and holidays during peak seasons as required.

With or without accommodation, the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday is Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 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:

Code / Task How Often Standing Extensive (100 – 70% of the time) Sitting Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) Walking Extensive (100 – 70% of the time) Lifting Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) Carrying Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) Pushing/Pulling Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) Overhead Work Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time) Fine Dexterity Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) Kneeling Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time) Crouching Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time) Crawling Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time) Bending Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) Twisting Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time) Climbing Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time) Balancing Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) Vision Extensive (100 – 70% of the time) Hearing Extensive (100 – 70% of the time) Talking Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)