Grounds Maintenance

Salary : $51,126.12 - $61,410.14 Annually
Location : City of Waukesha -PARK-REC & Forestry - 1900 Aviation Drive Waukesha, WI
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26--00830
Department: Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Division: Grounds Maintenance
Opening Date: 09/30/2026
Closing Date: 10/25/2026 11:59 PM Central

Job Title

Grounds Maintenance

Department

Parks, Recreation & Forestry

Exempt/Non Exempt Status

Nonexempt

Scope of Work

This is maintenance work involving the care and maintenance of the City's parks, playgrounds, athletic fields and courts, and other City properties and facilities.

Supervision

Received

Grounds Maintenance Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor

Exercised

May coordinate and direct full and/or part time or seasonal employees.

Essential Job Functions


The job functions listed herein are neither exclusive nor exhaustive, but are intended to be illustrative of the types of tasks the employee will most likely be expected to perform on a regular basis. The employee may be asked to perform different or additional tasks than the ones listed here, as the needs of the employer and/or the requirements of the position change.

1. Performs all aspects of landscaping and grounds maintenance in City parks, recreation and other public areas including turf and plant material installation, maintenance and restoration, rubbish & recycling collection, emergency/storm clean up, graffiti clean up/removal, snow plowing and custodial duties. Maintains athletic fields, set up and maintenance of playground equipment, bleachers, picnic tables & trash receptacles, bike path and trail maintenance, construction and maintenance of ice rinks, and maintenance of toboggan runs.
2. Identify plant, insect and turf problems and the appropriate treatment options using pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
3. Knowledge of use of, and maintenance of equipment and power tools used in grounds maintenance such as wide area mowers, tractors, loaders, skid steers, trucks, string trimmers, chainsaws, plows, flail mowers, to keep equipment in safe working order; communicates with Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor concerning equipment repairs or replacement.
4. Assists with construction of various park buildings and amenities (e.g., picnic tables, bleachers, trash receptacles, playground equipment, sheds, fences, etc.); performs maintenance, painting and janitorial work.
5. Assists with special events, recreation programs and holiday set up and clean up/take down.
6. Assists Forestry crews with tree work in critical response situations as needs arise.
7. Performs maintenance and repairs on tools and equipment used in performance of job functions.
8. Assists in construction and maintenance of various park structures and amenities; assists in all areas of ground maintenance including sign & fence maintenance, playground repairs, field & court construction and repair, etc.
9. Inspects parks and park facilities for cleanliness, safety, damage, vandalism, graffiti, repairs, adequate work, garbage, completion of ground maintenance items such as weeding, trimming, mowing, etc.
10. Performs rubbish removal and recycling.
11. Assist with hiring, training and coordination of seasonal employees.
12. Trains new full-time and seasonal employees
13. Performs physical inspections of playground equipment; assesses repair needs; orders and installs replacement parts; communicates with supervisor on progress; maintains accurate records of playground repairs and maintenance.
14. Prepares athletic fields and courts for games; paints foul lines and boundary markers; repairs surface damage; installs nets and wind screens, applies fertilizers and pesticides; plants and maintains turf; maintains inventory of materials uses; communicates with supervisor on progress; maintains commercial pesticide applicator's license.
15. Develops and implements sound turf grass management programs for Saratoga and WRO Sports Complexes.
16. Collaborates and communicates with the grounds supervisor/assistant supervisor, sports coordinator, rental facilities coordinator, tournament directors and site supervisors on game schedules, field setup and conditions.
17. Participates in planning and execution of improvements or modifications to sports facilities/complexes.
18. Assists with design, layout and installation of various sports fields in the complexes.
19. Programs irrigation computer systems and performs routine maintenance and repairs on underground irrigation components, including winterization and spring tart up.
20. Prepares and maintains fields: marking, dragging, raking, chalking, painting, aerating and mowing. Performs field renovation of lips, mounds, baselines, dugouts, etc.
21. Inspects field conditions; performs trash removal and recycling.
22. Makes minor repairs to vehicles, equipment, fencing and buildings; assists in basic construction.
23. Athletic Complexes custodial duties.

Other Job Functions

1. Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements of Work

Graduation from high school (or HSED equivalent) plus at least 2 years of technical, professional or specialized training in turf management, grounds maintenance, horticulture or green house operations, disease and pest control, pruning, planting and propagation and at least 1 1/2 years of professional grounds maintenance experience. BS degree in a relate field counts for 2 years' experience. Associates degree will count for 1 year of experience. Experience should include the operation of heavy equipment; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, ability and skills:

Knowledge of

• Basic landscape design, interpretation of plans, specifications and techniques using annual and perennial plants.
• Materials, methods, practices, techniques and equipment used in grounds maintenance for public parks and athletic fields.
• Insects and diseases of plants, shrubs and trees and the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to prevent and treat.
• Occupational hazards and safety methods and practices to avoid or minimize risks.
• The use of general office equipment including computers and related software.

Ability to

• Operate the tools, equipment and vehicles used in grounds maintenance and in the care of turf, plants, shrubs and other ground covers.
• Preform basic tree, shrub, ornamental grass, flower and plant identification, installation, and maintenance.
• Understand and follow instructions.
• Perform light to heavy physical tasks under varying weather conditions.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records.
• Work weekends and overtime when necessary.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers and the public.

Skill in

• The operation of power tools, heavy machinery and snow removal equipment.
• Proper design and maintenance of annual, perennial or other ornamental plants used in the landscape.
• Techniques of turf care, lawn mowing, snow and ice control.

Necessary Special Requirements

Commercial Driver's License (Endorsements A preferred, B and C required) within one year of hire.

Secure and maintain a Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (Category 3, Ornamentals and Turf) within one year of hire.

Ability to pass a written exam assessing knowledge.

Ability to pass drug and alcohol tests pre-and post-hire.

CPR/AED/First Aid Certification within one year of hire.*


Forklift Certification within one year of hire.*

*Actual completion is dependent on the timing of the annual group staff training cycles.


Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed mostly outdoors; hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various types of power tools, equipment and machinery.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, prolonged visual concentration and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is frequently required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee is frequently exposed to adverse weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, wetness and humidity; and to other unpleasant conditions such as dim or bright lighting, dust, odors, noise, vibration, toxic agents, electrical currents, heavy machinery, smoke and disease.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally in excess of 50 pounds.

The City of Waukesha is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Insurance
  • Health
  • Dental
  • Life
  • Vision
• Pension
• Flexible Benefit Plan
• AFLAC
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Deferred Compensation - 457(b) Plan
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - City of Waukesha employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

01


Are you able to lift and move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift in excess of 50 pounds?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a Fork Lift license?

• Yes
• No

03


Can you secure and maintain a CDL with BC (A preferred) endorsements within 1 year of hire?

• Yes
• No

04


Can you secure and maintain a Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (Category 3, Ornamentals and Turf)?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have experience operating heavy equipment?

• Yes
• No

06


Can you obtain First Aid/CPR/AED Certification within one year of hire?

• Yes
• No

07


Do you have at least 2 years of technical, professional or specialized training in turf management, grounds maintenance, horticulture or green house operations, disease and pest control, pruning, planting and propagation?

• Yes
• No

08


Are you a high school graduate or recognized equivalent?

• Yes
• No

Required Question