Landscape Technician I

Job Title

Under general supervision, this position performs semi-skilled work in the maintenance of parks and recreational grounds and facilities, which involves operating a variety of tools and equipment, to include use of light automotive and mechanical equipment. Reports to Equipment Operator Crew Leader.

Essential Job Functions

Ensures the safety of city equipment, private property, and others by following proper safety procedures, watching for pedestrians, private property, overhead utility lines and other utilities or obstructions.

Performs routine checks and preventive maintenance on equipment; identifies and reports equipment malfunctions; cleans equipment as needed.

Operates a variety of mowers and lawn equipment in the cutting and maintaining of lawns, athletic fields, and recreational areas; performs work using tractors with mowing attachments, slope mowers, push mowers, weed eaters, rakes and edgers; uses blowers and brooms to remove leaves and debris from sidewalks and curbs; removes weeds from sidewalks and curbs and shovels snow from same.

Obtains and transports appropriate tools and equipment for assignments and loads tools on and off trucks as needed.

Assists in the preparation, set up and clean up for special events.

Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Has general knowledge of the standard methods, materials and equipment employed in ground maintenance and mowing using a variety of mowers. Has some knowledge of cleaning procedures. Is able to follow instructions. Is able to understand and interpret oral and written instructions. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all departments, co-workers and the general public.

Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."

Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attends work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Maintains enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be completed and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.

Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments, to project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, Equipment Operator Crew Leader, professionals and the general public.

Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions of time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

Requires completion of 10th grade in high school or the equivalent, and 1-2 years of experience in grounds keeping including the use of tractors, mowers and related hand and small power tools; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. High school diploma, GED or specialized vocational training is preferred.

A valid driver's license with an acceptable record.

Requires satisfactory results from a medical evaluation and pre-employment substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.

This job is considered "Essential Personnel"; this position will require attendance work during and following natural disasters and emergency situations.

Physical Demands

Must be physically able to operate light automotive equipment, and hand and small power tools to include tractors, mowers, rakes, edgers, blowers and weed eaters. Requires the ability to exert up to 75 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are for Medium to Heavy Work.

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and directions from supervisor.

Requires the ability to read maps, work orders and simple forms. Requires the ability to complete work orders, vehicle check lists, leave slips and time sheets using prescribed format. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Requires the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using standard English.

Requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using equipment used in storm lines, pipes, ditches and drainage maintenance.

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as equipment used to clean and maintain storm drain lines and to apply pesticide. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress (emergency situations).

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.