Parks Maintenance Worker

General Description

• Manual labor tasks
• Equipment operation
• Use of hand and power tools for grounds and building maintenance work
• Routine maintenance of tools and equipment
• Cleaning and maintenance of Parks facilities

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Park Maintenance Work

• Mow parks, greenways, and boulevards using mowers and string trimmers.
• Build and maintain skating rinks including installing and removing hockey boards and daily clearing and flooding.
• Remove snow and ice from paths, bus stops, sidewalks, parking lots, etc.
• Remove trash from parks, boulevards, and assigned routes, to include picking trash, emptying barrels and operating garbage packer truck as assigned.
• Prune trees and shrubs using chain saws and various hand tools.
• Perform regular maintenance of shrub, perennial and annual flower beds, including planting, weeding, watering, mulching, deadheading, pruning, and seasonal change-outs.
• Support the work in managed natural areas including cutting and removing brush, pulling invasive plants, mowing, applying herbicides, and assisting with managed burns under supervision.
• Perform athletic field maintenance as required, including aerification, fertilization, seeding, and sodding.
• Mulch leaves in the fall and spring.
• Maintain beaches and volleyball courts using tractors and handheld equipment.
• Repair turf damage as needed.
• Perform regular playground maintenance, to include removal of litter and graffiti, raking of surfacing, and performing visual safety inspections.
• Remove graffiti from park amenities as necessary.
• Perform cleaning of shelter facilities and restrooms.
• Perform routine maintenance, repair and painting of tables, benches and hockey boards.
• Train seasonal and permanent staff.
• Set-up for special events within parks.
• Perform special maintenance projects.

Preventative Maintenance of Parks Equipment

• Perform preventative maintenance of equipment to include, blade sharpening, greasing and oil changes, power washing, etc.
• Clean vehicles as needed.
• Transport equipment and vehicles for use, maintenance, storage, etc.
• Report damages and/or repairs to supervisor or mechanic as appropriate.
• Direct the work of hourly personnel as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Six (6) months of experience as a Parks Worker and/or seasonal Laborer with the City of Madison Parks Division.

• One (1) year of directly related experience performing varied manual and semi-skilled work in landscaping, grounds maintenance, custodial, construction, or other related outdoor labor experience, similar to that performed by a Parks Worker.

• Two (2) years of experience using common hand tools, power tools, and equipment used in related public works maintenance and grounds work; AND

• Familiarity with the following:

  • Related plant/lawn care principles.
  • Heavy manual and semi-skilled tasks incorporating strenuous physical activity for extended periods of time often under adverse weather conditions.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the knowledge, skills and abilities, please view the class specification.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License with N (Tanker) endorsement within six (6) months of hire. The successful candidate must have passed the written portion of the relevant Department of Transportation testing process by the start date. A condition of continued employment is passage of the skills portion of the test and obtaining the required operator's license within six (6) months.
• Must maintain an acceptance rate of 50% or better on all seasonal overtime offered.
• Must maintain adequate attendance.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift/carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds frequently (bags of seed or trash barrels) and must be capable of lifting 100 pounds maximum weight.
• Ability to perform a high percentage of work outdoors in all types of weather while walking and standing.
• Ability to frequently bend, twist, squat, and reach for extended periods of time.
• Work may involve walking over uneven surfaces, reaching, climbing, kneeling, and stooping.