Grounds Maintenance Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Join Metroparks Toledo as a Seasonal Grounds Maintenance Assistant. In this role, you keep our parks enjoyable. You’ll help maintain the grounds and facilities at parks that thousands of people enjoy every day. You play a big role in ensuring we maintain our “Clean, Safe, and Natural” promise.

Day in the Life?

Every day is different. You may be cleaning restrooms, clearing trails, painting signs, or supporting the broader Park Services team. You may be mowing or pruning in our landscaped areas. You may spend the day at the shop keeping our equipment in good condition.

Here’s why we think you’ll love working at Metroparks

• Field experience in park operations helps grow your skills.
• Monthly set schedule so you can plan your life.
• Competitive pay, health care, and retirement benefits. Read more here. 
• Grow your career by advancing to a Custodian, Facility Operator or Park Technician.

You’ll love this job if

• You want to learn more about working in a park system. 
• You take pride in your work.
• You like working outdoors in all kinds of weather. 

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Job Summary

Advance Metroparks Toledo’s core conservation mission by performing building and grounds maintenance tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Year-Round Park Services Staff by performing various maintenance duties, such as cleaning restrooms, picking up litter, trash removal, and special event set-up and clean-up.
• Maintaining the park grounds, including painting and staining park features and amenities and completing trail improvements.
• Support broader park services team by performing various horticultural duties, such as mowing, weeding, watering, pruning, and planting.
• Control invasive species by applying pesticides and herbicides to specific identified plant species under the supervision of a licensed applicator.
• Safely drive park vehicles with trailers between work assignments on park trails and roadways. 
• Respond to customer questions, comments and suggestions in a courteous and timely way.
• Other Park District duties as assigned.

Equipment Used

• General office equipment 
• Software & Apps: Microsoft Office Suite
• Maintenance Equipment: lawn equipment, power and hand tools, high and low volume chemical dispensing systems 
• Vehicles: on & off road trucks with trailers, UTVs

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Length of employment varies based on need. Generally, March – December. Employment will not exceed 1,480 hours in a calendar year.
• Schedule: Varies by park. 16-40-hour work week. 2-5 days/week, 8-hour shift. May require work on the weekends and/or holidays
• Most common schedules are: 
• Sunday – Thursday 6am – 2:30pm
• Tuesday – Saturday 6am – 2:30pm
• Some evening shifts available at select parks 2pm – 10:30pm 
• Home Work Location: Farnsworth
• May require business use of personal vehicle to travel between Metroparks locations.
• Extensive outdoor physical labor exposed to climate extremes, inclement weather, stinging insects, dust and pollen, and herbicides. 
• Requires frequent lifting and carrying of up to 40 pounds and occasional lifting over 60 pounds. 
• Requires ability to walk and work outdoors for extended periods of time in all types of weather including extreme heat and cold. Must be able to move about off trail over uneven ground and in wooded areas while carrying equipment.

Job Requirements

1. Must be 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
2. Education: High School Diploma or GED
3. Experience: No prior work experience required.

Alternates to the position requirements may be made as Metroparks finds appropriate and acceptable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated appreciation for enhancing quality of life and conserving the region’s natural resources through clean, safe and natural parks and open spaces.  

Knowledge

• Some knowledge of the operating procedures and tools used in home maintenance
• Some knowledge of the operating procedures and tools used in lawn maintenance

Skills

• Safely drive a truck towing a trailer (training provided).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.  
• Demonstrated problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills.

Abilities

• Ability to learn proper maintenance and custodial practices. 
• Ability to learn how to safely operate mowing tools and equipment. 
• Ability to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with all stakeholders, including employees, volunteers and the general public.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with speed and accuracy under the pressure of deadlines.
• Ability to comply with all safety rules and regulations.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and/or written policies, procedures and instructions.

Metroparks Toledo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.