Parks & Grounds Tech - Town of Southern Pines

Parks & Grounds Technician

Type of Position: Full Time

Annual Salary Range: $33,601 - $52,920

PURPOSE

This position performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks with the objective of maintaining and preparing the Town’s parks, ball fields, cemeteries, and landscaped outdoor public spaces for the safe and appealing enjoyment of the community. These tasks require the use of manual tools, powered and hand tools and light mechanical equipment generally associated with grounds and athletic field maintenance and preparation for competition.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TECH I (Grade 14)

• Must be able to safely operate, care for and maintain a variety of hand tools and light power equipment such as: rakes, shovels, trimmers, edgers, blowers, push mowers, etc.
• Must be able to safely operate riding mowers, small tractors, and small work trucks with trailers.
• May be required to apply pre-mixed pesticides and herbicides following proper application and preventive safety instructions.

• Must maintain and utilize appropriate and required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and follow all safety procedures at all times.

• Must have good communication skills and be able to interact positively with both the public and co-workers.

• Turf mowing, raking, trimming hedges, pruning shrubbery, edging sidewalks and driveways, remove various debris from municipal property, i.e., litter, sticks and pinecones.
• Prepares athletic fields for playing events and recreation programs, sets up tables, chairs, moves bleachers, cleans restrooms, repairs park and playground equipment.
• Repairs and services to irrigation systems.
• Prepares planting beds by amending soils with fertilizer, chemicals, soil conditioners, and other horticulture materials. As well as plants, fertilizes and sprays turfed areas.
• Minor repairs, to park signs, benches, equipment and facilities.
• Knowledge to clean park and athletic field bathrooms.
• Knowledge to blow and repair greenway trails.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to other.
• May be required to assist with setup and tear down of holiday decorations.
• All other reasonably assigned duties.

TECH II (Grade 15)

All duties above and the addition of:

• Significant experience and proficient skill with larger equipment (such as reach mowers, backhoe, etc.) and power tools (such as chainsaws, chippers, etc.).
• Must achieve certification in pesticide/herbicide application.
• An employee in this class is responsible for directing all grounds and facility maintenance work in and around municipal buildings, parks, playing fields and parking lots under general supervision of the Parks & Grounds Supervisor or Parks & Grounds Superintendent, and is evaluated through periodic conferences and inspection.
• Maintains and repairs such equipment as lawn mowers, sprinklers, pruners, sprayers, and shears; uses small hand tools such as screw drivers, emery stones, wrenches and pliers.
• When assigned, may be required to coach, mentor, train and/or oversee co-workers when supervisor is not present.
• Must complete additional training or course work in basic leadership skills.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS

TECH I (Grade 14)

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Possession of valid NC driver’s license with an excellent driving record.

• One year of experience in parks & grounds maintenance or similar work experience is preferred.
• Other combinations of education and related experience will be considered.
• First Aid/CPR certification is highly desirable.

TECH II (Grade 15)

All requirements above with the addition of:

• Certification in pesticides/herbicides application (Ornamental & turf grass)
• Minimum of 24 months experience as a non-probationary Parks & Grounds Tech or equivalent experience.
• Certification in bucket truck operations.
• Certified playground inspector certification is desirable.
• Must have attended 18 hours of training in Parks & Grounds or ballfield maintenance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

TECH I & TECH II

• Ability to lift 75 pounds and move over short distances, and 35 pounds over extended distances.

• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which include walking, standing, kneeling, squatting, bending, pulling, pushing, reaching or sitting for extended periods of time, lifting and carrying light to moderate equipment and materials and operating assigned vehicles.

• Climbing ladders as well as climbing into and out of/onto and off of various pieces of parks & grounds keeping equipment, vehicles and equipment trailers.

• Operating manual hand tools (rakes, shovels, pruners, etc.), light hand power tools (portable hand drills, saws, blowers, etc.), other power tools (Chainsaws, hedge trimmers, brush chippers, push mowers, etc.) and small power equipment (riding mowers, etc.)

WORKING CONDITIONS

TECH I & TECH II

• This position works almost exclusively outdoors, year-round, and in all weather conditions.

• This position requires occasional evening, weekend, holiday and call-in work.

• This position is considered an “ESSENTIAL POSITION”, meaning that work may be required during extreme weather events and other emergency situations.

EOE