Park Maintenance Specialist I/II

Under specified supervision, performs a variety of duties maintaining parks, open space, trails, municipal grounds, rights-of-way, medians, and roundabouts; or a variety of arboricultural duties to include the care and maintenance of trees, shrubs and/or flowers. This position is primarily assigned to Open Space operations and field patrol activities. The successful candidate will spend a significant portion of their work time patrolling parks, trails, waterways, open space properties, and other public lands to identify safety concerns, maintenance issues, homeless encampments, public nuisances, and resource protection concerns. Candidates should be comfortable working independently outdoors, walking long distances on trails and undeveloped terrain, interacting with the public, and addressing sensitive community issues. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower level or, when filled from the outside, require previous and directly related experience. The standard work hours for this position are Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. However, hours may vary occasionally based on project or event requirements, which may include evenings, weekends, or holidays. Park Maintenance Specialist I Under general supervision, incumbents assigned to this class are expected to perform the full range of work assigned to this class and to work with independence and initiative. Park Maintenance Specialist II Under direction incumbents work independently, exercising judgment and initiative. Incumbents may train employees on duties and safety practices, and lead a crew in the absence of a crew leader or supervisor. Essential Functions Performs park maintenance duties including various combinations of the following: waters, mows, weeds, trims, renovates, and fertilizes turf areas; plants, waters, edges, prunes, and removes trees, shrubs, bushes, and flowers; clears snow, leaves, and debris from rights-of-way, sidewalks, sports fields and courts; empties trash receptacles and transports rubbish to landfill. Patrols and inspects parks, trails, waterways, open space properties, remote areas, deer paths, and undeveloped lands to identify safety hazards, maintenance concerns, homeless encampments, illegal dumping, vandalism, resource damage, public nuisance issues, unauthorized activities, and other conditions requiring attention. Coordinates homeless encampment outreach, cleanup, and abatement efforts in accordance with City policies, legal requirements, and established procedures. Documents field activities, inspections, incidents, and encampment abatements, including posting required notices and maintaining records using City software, reporting systems, photographs, and case documentation procedures. Responds to citizen complaints, service requests, concerns, and inquiries from the public and City staff; engages professionally with unhoused individuals and community members and provides information regarding available resources and services when appropriate. Works collaboratively with law enforcement, public works, human services staff, nonprofit organizations, mental health providers, and other partner agencies as needed. Works independently while patrolling trails and open space properties and may coordinate work activities with seasonal staff assigned to Open Space operations. Performs conversions for the Naturally Thornton program. This includes removal of bluegrass, preparing a new seedbed, reseeding the area, mowing, modifying irrigation systems and keeping the area weed free throughout the establishment period. Maintains the City’s open space areas, including waterways, lakes, trail corridors, and undeveloped properties through trail maintenance, amenity maintenance, noxious weed management, invasive tree and shrub control, wildlife and fish issue monitoring, litter control, and removal of abandoned trash, debris, and illegally dumped materials. Operates and maintains equipment necessary to complete the duties required for the position. Inspects and repairs park equipment and facilities, such as playground equipment, picnic tables, and grills. Maintains and repairs computerized park irrigation systems, changing and adjusting sprinkler heads, maintaining controllers, and assisting in the installation and major maintenance of irrigation plumbing. Assists with forestry, horticulture, landscape, irrigation, mapping, inventory, and natural resource management projects as assigned. May act as a lead worker for special projects including, but not limited to, landscape plantings, inventory projects, tree workshops, Arbor Day events, and educational presentations. Sets up appropriate traffic control devices when working in the rights-of-way and medians. Assists in snow removal. Maintains daily work logs. May apply herbicides and pesticides in accordance with prescribed guidelines; maintains usage records. May train, assign work to, monitor, and oversee seasonal employees and inform supervisors of performance issues. May be required to work overtime. May work a varying schedule and/or shift. Performs other duties as assigned. Education/Experience Park Maintenance Specialist I High school diploma or GED and twelve months related experience. Experience in grounds maintenance, forestry, horticulture, parks operations, open space management, code enforcement, public safety, homeless outreach, social services, natural resource management preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Park Maintenance Specialist II High school diploma or GED and three years’ experience in park, open space, or grounds maintenance, forestry, horticulture, or related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Licensing/Certification Requirements Park Maintenance Specialist I Valid Colorado driver’s license with a safe driving record. Commercial Driver’s License preferred. Ability to obtain one of the following certifications within twelve months of hire; pesticide applicator license, Certified Arborist certification from International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), or mastery badge from the Colorado State University Certified Gardener program. Park Maintenance Specialist II In addition to previous licensing requirements, must possess Landscape Technician certification, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) certification from ISA, or a Certified Playground Safety Inspector through the NPRA. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Park Maintenance Specialist I Knowledge of laws and safety related to vehicle operation. Knowledge of park, open space, forestry, or horticulture maintenance safety procedures. Knowledge of materials and equipment used in park, open space, forestry, or horticulture maintenance, including tractors, mowing equipment, edgers, string trimmers, backpack blowers, chippers, pesticide applicators, backhoes, dump trucks, loaders, power drills and saws, aerators, hand tools, and snow removal equipment. Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department. Knowledge of the principles and practices of park, open space, forestry, or horticulture maintenance. Knowledge of laws, regulations and procedures for proper application of pesticides and herbicides. Knowledge of tree identification, defects, species culture, planting, pruning, removal, pests and diseases. Skill in operating a two-way radio. Skill in the safe and lawful operation of all equipment required for the job. Skill in performing horticultural functions, including maintaining and repairing turf, plants, shrubs, flowers, and trees. Skill in applying pesticides and herbicides in compliance with all regulations and laws. Skill in maintaining records and logs. Skill in traffic control devices when working in the right-of-way. Ability to use standard office equipment, personal computer and job-related computer applications including electronic mail. Ability to comprehend and follow verbal or written instructions. Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and the general public. Park Maintenance Specialist II Knowledge of general principles and practices of employee supervision. Knowledge of tree risk assessment and remediation. Knowledge of and ability to assess tree health and recommend issue resolution. Knowledge of ArcMap/ERSI inventory procedures. Skill in inspecting parks, open space, municipal grounds, trees, rights-of-way and trails for safety hazards. Skill in installing, maintaining and repairing computerized park irrigation systems. Ability to supervise, train and monitor seasonal park maintenance employees. Physical and Mental Requirements While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly medium work; exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity. The employee is subject to environmental conditions, outside environmental conditions, both inside and outside conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, and atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin. Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources. As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Thornton