GROUNDS TECHNICIAN II (PARKS & GROUNDS)

Job Title

The City is offering a Sign-On Bonus for this position: $500 with first paycheck and 2% of gross earnings during first year of employment at first anniversary.

Job Description

Under regular direction and in compliance with standard operating procedures and policies, performs inspection, maintenance, groundskeeping, installation, service, and repair of assigned area, facilities, and equipment. Assembles, installs, monitors, and assists with construction, take-down, clean-up, and removal of Parks, Recreation & Tourism projects, and other permitted special and City events. Provides assistance during storm/weather clean-up events and emergencies by clearing or removing trees, limbs, debris, and other storm or weather damage. Assists with Parks and Grounds projects and improvements. Proactively identifies, removes, and reports potential safety hazards. Ensures equipment and property safety, as well as routine inspection of equipment. May be assigned to one of the following units: Cemetery Maintenance, Park Maintenance, or Public Gardens.

Job Duties

Essential Functions

• Maintain General Property: Maintain assigned playgrounds, cemeteries, trails, shelters, sports fields and courts, waterways, monuments, Zoo and Parks and Recreation facilities, and related amenities. Ensure all park facilities are routinely inspected and maintained, including but not limited to special facilities and restrooms. Plant trees and shrubs, mow, trim, over-seed, fertilize, mix soil and spread, water, aerate, paint, remove litter and graffiti, and apply pesticide application for diseases, weeds and insect control on turf, annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. Assist sports field crew with field preparation, playgrounds, and basic preparation of recreation spaces and events. Install and remove plant material (annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs) during appropriate times of the year. Prepare soil and install sod on designated grass areas. Install Engineered Wood Fiber playground mulch in designated playground areas. Install mulch for trees, plants, and large designated areas. Provide assistance to internal and external stakeholders during storm/weather clean up or related events and emergencies. Remove hazardous items such as dead animals, bees, ants, snakes, needles, transient materials, invasive and noxious plant material as directed. Operate large and small equipment to accomplish tasks.
• Maintain Equipment: Maintain and service equipment by removing dirt, washing and greasing parts, checking oil, changing oil filters, changing blades, and fueling. Perform preventative maintenance of equipment to include air compressor, generator, push mower, pressure washer, water pump, chain saw, pole saw, tiller, backpack and machine front blowers, hand and power tools, chemical sprayers, walk behind edger, trimmers, reel, sports field drag, front mount and zero turn mowers.
• Conduct Construction and Installation Assignments: Assemble and install picnic tables, park benches, bleachers, playground equipment, shade structures, windscreens, special event/volunteer structures and trashcan holders. Assemble cooking grills, dig holes, place poles in ground, mix, set, and pour concrete pads in park areas. Float concrete and edge support pads for picnic tables, trashcan holders, and park benches. Conduct fence and light installation by digging holes, setting poles, placing split rails, leveling poles, and attaching fencing. Install park signage, load materials and equipment. Help direct traffic as assigned.
• Assist with Special Projects and Events: Assist with the set-up, tear down, and cleanup of permitted special and volunteer events. Assist with various City related projects, including the construction, installation, and tearing down of temporary structures, banners, and decorations; operating small and large equipment, and tools; entering creeks or rivers to remove debris; and, assisting the public as needed.
• Ensure Safety Measures: Proactively identifies, removes and/or reports potential hazards. Takes steps to address, remove, or report hazardous conditions or items such as dead animals, bees, ants, snakes, needles, transient materials, invasive and noxious plant material as directed. Complies with City, state, and federal safety procedures and protocols in the performance of job duties to include reporting all accidents, incidents, and injuries witnessed or incurred. Ensure equipment and property safety, as well as routine inspection of equipment.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Job Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• A minimum of one (1) year of previous experience in landscaping, grounds maintenance, construction, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working with or using small and heavy equipment such as zero turn mowers, tractors, trucks hauling trailers, skid steers, UTX carts, water trailers, aerators, weed eaters, backpack blowers and sprayers.
• Previous experience with pesticide/herbicide applications.

Driver's License Requirements

• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

Performance Requirements

• Knowledge of: Safe equipment operating practices/procedures. Landscape and turf maintenance best practices.
• Ability to: Work cooperatively with others in order to achieve results. Work in inclement weather conditions including cold rain, wind, heat, snow, sleet, etc. Utilize communication and interpersonal skills to interact successfully with people inside and/or outside (citizens, visitors, etc.) the organization. Read papers, journals, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), manuals, policies, and other reference materials. Make mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions; work with fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurements. Write simple sentences containing subject, verb, and object, and/or series of numbers, names, and addresses. Operate various types of mowers (e.g., push, front mount, zero turn, and reel mowers), light dump truck, utility vehicle, blower, ballfield drag, walk behind edger, aerators, weed eater, air compressor, generators, water pump, hand and power tools, rakes, back pack sprayer, power washer, non-CDL water wagon, chain saw, pole saw, tiller, and tamp. Use a portable radio, phone, or other communication devices. Use computer to complete timesheets and access City intranet for SDS for chemical exposures.

Other Information

Working Conditions

• Primary Work Location: Outdoors in areas such as public parks, zoo, gardens, cemeteries, and rights-of-ways.
• Protective Equipment Required: Safety glasses, ear protection, steel-toed shoes, protective gloves, Class 2 and 3 safety vest, hard hat, and safety chaps.

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors

• Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside and/or with exposure to risk. Daily exposure to extreme temperature, wetness and/or humidity, and noise and vibration. Weekly exposure to respiratory and chemical hazards (e.g., gas fumes, pesticide chemicals, dust and dirt, etc.); and mechanical or physical hazards (e.g., high voltage power lines, dangerous machinery, falling tree branches, etc.). Monthly exposure to electrical hazards (e.g., ballfield lighting, irrigation system sensors/timers, etc.); and communicable diseases.

Physical Demands

• Constantly require hearing, vision, talking, carrying, handling, standing, and foot controls. Frequently requires fine dexterity, lifting, pushing/pulling, reaching, twisting, bending, climbing, crouching/stooping, balancing, and walking. Heavy strength demands exerting up to 20 pounds constantly, 20-50 pounds frequently, and may require exerting up to 100 pounds on rare occasions.

Mental Demands

• Constantly requires frequent change of tasks, working in noisy/distracting environments, and working closely with others as a part of a team. Frequently requires performing under time pressures. Occasionally requires performing multiple tasks simultaneously, tedious/exacting work, and irregular schedule/overtime.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.