Parks Maintenance Worker

Parks Maintenance Worker

The City of Santa Cruz is recruiting for Parks Maintenance Worker in the Parks & Recreation Department. The current vacancy is in the Wharf and Beaches Division. APPLY NOW to be considered for the current Wharf and Beaches vacancy or any Parks Maintenance Worker vacancies that may occur in the Parks and Recreation Department within the next year. Other Parks Maintenance Worker assignments may include: Golf Course, Greenways, Open Spaces, Community Parks, Neighborhood Parks, and Urban Forestry.

Current Vacancy: Wharf and Beaches Division. Parks Maintenance Workers assigned to the Wharf and Beaches are responsible for maintaining Cowell Beach, Main Beach, and the Municipal Wharf. Duties include cleaning and preparing public areas for events, removing litter and debris from the beaches, performing facility inspections, completing minor repairs, and operating power tools and beach-grooming equipment. Parks Maintenance Workers respond to constantly changing coastal conditions in support of daily operations and public events so that the Wharf and Beaches remain clean, safe, welcoming, and accessible for residents and visitors.

Recruitment #27-022

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 10/15/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

1. Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 10/19 and 10/26/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 11/06/26.
• Week of 11/16 and 11/23/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function

Under supervision, the Parks Maintenance Worker performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks in the development and maintenance of City Parks and Recreational facilities; and does related work as required. Incumbents are trained in and perform a broad range of duties in the basic grounds keeping, landscaping, construction, restoration, and maintenance trades as necessary for the section or crew to which assigned. Incumbents generally work as a member of a crew, but may be given independent assignments and may lead a small crew of temporary aides and volunteers. Incumbents are subject to call-back for after hour emergencies.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This classification is the entry and working level of the Parks Field Operations series. This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Senior Parks Maintenance Worker in that the incumbents of the latter classification are assigned tasks which require the application of a more advanced skill or a specialized knowledge of the techniques and tools used in park maintenance and/or which require the regular use of specialized equipment, and duties are performed without direct or continuing supervision. Senior Parks Maintenance Workers may be assigned to lead a small crew of Parks Maintenance Workers and/or temporary aides as required.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Prepares soil for planting and plants various trees, shrubs and flowers.
• Weeds flower beds and other planting areas.
• Mows, rakes and edges lawns and turfs.
• Waters plants by hand and with irrigation systems.
• Rakes, gathers, loads and hauls refuse and cut vegetation from parks and recreational facilities.
• Cleans and stocks restrooms.
• Assists in applying fertilizers.
• Assists with the installation, repair and maintenance of irrigation systems.
• Trims and prunes trees, shrubs and ground coverings.
• Loads, unloads and operates pick-up and light dump trucks to transport maintenance supplies and materials.
• Participates in digging, widening and backfilling trenches and other excavations.
• Uses general groundskeeping, carpentry and mechanical tools such as picks, shovels, hoes, rakes, shears, edgers, loppers, saws, drills, wrenches, screwdrivers and hammers. Operates landscape construction, turf maintenance, and weed removal equipment such as chain saws, concrete saws, pavement breakers, sprayers, cement mixers, aerators, compactors, rollers, small multi-purpose tractors, brush chippers, weed eaters, blowers, front end loaders, trucks, small and large riding mowers, rototillers and seeders.
• Identifies and removes invasive plant species and weeds from sensitive habitats.
• Apply erosion control measures such as digging berms, laying down jute netting or installing silt fencing or wattles.
• Maintains paths and trails in safe conditions including removing debris and obstructions, leveling uneven surfaces and identifying and repairing potential trip hazards and awkward transitions.
• Performs minor electrical repairs on park lights, switches and irrigation clocks.
• Assists with the installation, maintenance and repair of picnic tables, trash cans, barbecues, drinking fountains, playground equipment and other park items.
• Inspects parks, playgrounds and recreational areas for hazards and unsafe conditions and removes or repairs them.
• Picks up and removes trash and debris using hand operated "grab stick"; Replaces trash can liners.
• Performs basic repairs including plumbing, in park restrooms, park buildings and other park facilities.
• Performs rough carpentry and cement work in the construction, installation and repair of fences, barricades, tables and benches, signs, boxed tree supports, walkways and street medians.
• Paints fences, curbs, building interiors and exteriors, floors, and other facility structures or infrastructure equipment as needed.
• Performs light graffiti cleanup.
• Performs routine maintenance and repair of tools and equipment.
• Maintains inventory of maintenance supplies and materials; prepares material requests and keeps work logs as necessary.
• Places traffic control flags, signs and cones to direct traffic around work sites or other obstructions.
• Tactfully responds to questions and comments from the public or conveys information as appropriate.
• Constructs and installs park signs.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

If assigned to the Wharf or beach parks, in addition to the above typical duties:

• May operate or work out of a power boat, barge or personal watercraft.
• Operate beach grooming equipment and street sweeper.
• Work in and around large crowds of people.

If assigned to the swimming pool facility, in addition to the above typical duties:

• Cleans pool by brushing sides and bottom, scrubbing tile, skimming with net, and vacuuming; cleans and maintains maintenance equipment to ensure a clean environment for patrons.
• Tests and regulates chemical balance of water, adds chemicals to tanks and changes filters and tanks as needed; cleans and maintains filters, controls, pumps, and heaters to ensure healthy levels of pool sanitation.
• Cleans and sterilizes restrooms, dressing rooms, showers, and pool decks.
• Checks, cleans, and services various pool equipment (i.e., diving boards, ladders, cover, etc.) in order to enhance a safe swimming environment.
• Maintains records of pool testing results, chemical adjustments made, and maintenance performed.
• Paints swimming pool decks, equipment, and interior walls.

If assigned to the Open Spaces, in addition to the above typical duties:

• Assist with vegetation management in support of wildfire prevention and land management objectives.
• Assist with ecological restoration work including, but not limited to, grading, construction of engineered features, planting, seeding, weeding, and maintenance of areas undergoing restoration.

If assigned to the Golf Course, in addition to the above typical duties: