Parks Maintenance Worker

City Park Maintenance Worker

This position is responsible for performing minor maintenance, minor construction, custodial duties, and/or groundskeeping tasks in and around City parks, grounds, and recreational facilities.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operates a tractor and push mower to mow grass at city parks and sports facilities; may operate a front-end loader.
• Trims trees, weeds, and edges as needed; rakes and cleans grounds by picking up trash, paper, and tree trimmings.
• Applies herbicides and pesticides.
• Performs basic carpentry work and repairs.
• Performs custodial duties at city parks and facilities: cleans restrooms, restocks soap and paper products, picks up trash, washes windows, and empties trash cans.
• Assists with maintenance of swimming pools; monitors chemical levels and adds chemicals as necessary; cleans and vacuums; disassembles, cleans, and repairs chemical pumps and injector systems.
• Performs minor electrical repairs.
• Maintains and replaces sprinkler heads and sprinkler lines.
• Cleans catch basins, spreads sand and gravel, performs asphalt patch work, and serves as flagman to assist in street maintenance.
• Maintains city streets and property by painting buildings, crosswalks, center lines, signs, curbs, and equipment.
• Prepares cemetery lots for funerals by digging graves and setting up burial equipment.
• Fertilizes lawns, greens, and fairways.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Ability to read, write, and perform basic mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.

Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with one year of experience related to groundskeeping or other general labor services.

Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Texas for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a state-certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License.

Must possess the required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

Knowledge of building and grounds maintenance methods and practices.

Knowledge of departmental and safety rules and regulations.

Knowledge of basic carpentry, mechanical repair, and electrical procedures.

Knowledge of various cleaning chemicals.

Skill in operating specialized cleaning equipment (e.g., buffer, carpet shampoo machine, vacuum cleaner, swimming pool cleaning equipment, etc.) and various hand tools.

Skill in operating power tools such as riding and push lawn mowers, weed eaters, blowers, and chain saws.

Skill in operating hand tools such as shovels, picks, rakes, tree trimmers, etc.

Skill in pesticide application.

Skill in oral and written communication.

Benefits

There are a wide variety of benefits available to City of Big Spring employees. These benefits include health, dental, life and disability insurance, optional life insurance plans, flexible spending account for health expenses, an Employee Assistance Program, and a Tuition Reimbursement Program.

The City of Big Spring provides the following benefits to all regular, full-time employees:

1. Texas Municipal Retirement System
2. Deferred Compensation (Retirement)
3. Health Insurance
4. Dental Insurance
5. Life and Long Term Disability Insurance
6. Cafeteria Plan
7. Workman's Compensation
8. Longevity Pay for years of service
9. Paid Uniforms
10. Stand By Pay
11. Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
12. Paid Holidays
13. Recreation Privileges
14. Wellness Program
15. Tuition Reimbursement Program

Texas Municipal Retirement System

The City of Big Spring is a member of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Employee/employer supported retirement begins at the date of employment. An employee contributes seven percent of their monthly wages to TMRS. The City then matches the employee contribution two to 1 upon retirement. Employees are eligible to retire after 20 years of service. Retirement becomes vested after five years of participation in TMRS.

Applicants with prior or current military could receive up to 60 months towards their retirement for TMRS.

Deferred Compensation (Retirement)

The 457b Deferred Compensation plan is provided to City employees in lieu of Social Security. Employees pay 6.7% of their adjusted gross salary. This amount is matched by the City as follows: 5.51% Contributed to the deferred compensation retirement 2.19% Pays for the life and disability insurance package 7.70% Total matched funds

Health Insurance

The City of Big Spring pays the cost of employees insurance and supplements the cost of dependent insurance. Dependent health insurance coverage is available at the following rates: Family Coverage $832.45/Monthly $416.23/Bi-Weekly Spouse Coverage $614.89/Monthly $307.45/Bi-Weekly Child Coverage $305.45 /Monthly $152.73/Bi-Weekly Payment for dependent health insurance coverage is deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Pharmacy cards are included in the health insurance package. If dependent insurance coverage is purchased, dependents will also receive the pharmacy card.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates: Employee Only $22.08/Monthly $11.04/Bi-Weekly Employee and Spouse $44.78/Monthly $22.39/Bi-Weekly Employee and Children $49.64/Monthly $24.82/Bi-Weekly Employee and Family $72.40/Monthly $36.20/Bi-Weekly Payments for dental insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Employees enrolled in the dental plan will also be eligible for the discount Vision Access program and receive discounts on vision care services or supplies.

Vision Insurance

Vision insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates: Employee Only $8.02/Monthly $4.01/Bi-Weekly Employee and Spouse $15.20/Monthly $7.60/Bi-Weekly Employee and Children $16.02/Monthly $8.01/Bi-Weekly Employee and Family $20.42/Monthly $10.21/Bi-Weekly Payments for vision insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks.

Life and Long Term Disability Insurance

The City of Big Spring's life insurance policy provides for a death benefit equal to four times the employee's annual salary. In addition to the standard life insurance, employees may purchase optional life insurance. The long term disability package ensures that in the event of a permanent disability, a maximum of 20% of the employee's monthly salary is paid up to a maximum or $3,000.00 per month.

Cafeteria Plan (AFLAC)

The City provides a program to allow employees to tax shelter day care and certain medical expenses. This insurance provides a tax savings increasing the employee's take home pay.

Workman's Compensation

The City of Big Spring meets the standard state requirements for Workman's Compensation. If an employee is injured on the job, he/she report the incident to the department supervisor immediately.

Longevity Pay for Years of Service

City employees are given longevity pay based on their length of service with the City of Big Spring. After one year of service, City employees receive longevity payments on their bi-weekly paycheck. After two years of service, employees are given the option to continue to receive a bi-weekly payment or they can elect to bank their longevity payments. Employees who bank their longevity payments will receive a lump sum payment once a year, prior to