Park Worker

Do you have paid experience in grounds maintenance? Join our Parks and Recreation team today and help us preserve and grow our community parks!  

This is an entry-level parks/cemetery/athletic fields maintenance position whose specific duties depend upon program area assigned. Primary work programs include grounds maintenance activities such as construction and maintenance of trails and trail structures, equipment operation, mowing, trimming, edging and irrigation of turf areas and pruning, planting, fertilizing, spraying and irrigation of trees and shrubs. Additional activities centered in the cemetery include assistance with all burial services, burial setups, marker installation and maintenance as well as maintenance and repair of sunken graves. Activities centered in the athletic fields include maintenance of athletic fields and facilities, athletic field preparation and general maintenance of Civic Field complex. Activities centered in park facilities include facility and grounds maintenance, as well as customer contact and assisting with the preparation for events and activities. Secondary work programs include sanitation, water systems, mechanical systems, structures and surfaces. 

This position will start at Step 1 ($23.08/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $23.08 - $28.38.

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:

• Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
• Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 3/6/23 4:30 PM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Employees in this classification typically perform work in the following areas depending upon seasonal and ongoing work needs. Specific duties and program assignments may change from day-to-day depending upon Department needs. The work activities are not all inclusive and other work may be assigned as necessary.

A.        Park / Grounds Maintenance:

1. Performs as lead position of assigned seasonal staff. Provides training for each work activity area, and provides feedback to Park Specialist regarding performance of assigned seasonal staff.
2. Operates a variety of turf maintenance equipment including riding mowers, blowers, and trailer vacuum. Operates a variety of power hand equipment such as hand mowers, line trimmers, edgers and chainsaws. Does regular cleaning and minor maintenance of tools and equipment.
3. Operates automotive equipment such as pickup trucks with trailer attachments, up to and including 5 yard dump trucks to haul dirt, gravel, etc., and as needed, small (under 30 HP) tractors with 3-point attachments (Category 1 & 2) and small backhoes.
4. Assists in the construction of trails and trail structures to include sub grades, surfacing, drainage, bridges, elevated walks, steps, retaining walls, signage and re-vegetation. Performs trail repairs and installs, cleans, and maintains drainage systems and culverts for trails.
5. Prunes or removes trees and shrubs using pruners, loppers, bow saws and power chain saws. Operates motor driven chipper equipment to shred woody debris.
6. Performs turf repairs, renovations and installations. Plants, fertilizes and irrigates turf, trees and shrubs as directed. Maintains shrub bed areas through edging, hand weeding and application of mulch and maintains plants and flower displays. Rakes and blows leaves and debris. Operates small dump trucks and other automotive equipment to remove material.
7. Completes required reports for tree work, pesticide application and accidents and hazards.
8. Upon receipt of a Washington State Pesticide Application License, apply herbicides as part of grounds care duties.

B.        Cemetery Maintenance:

1. Performs all essential functions under Grounds Maintenance.
2. Assists Cemetery Technician in grave opening and closing duties including occasional use of back hoe, installation of liner and lowering device.
3. Sets up tents, chairs and greens for funeral services.
4. Assists in installation and repair of markers and memorials. Repairs sunken graves as necessary.
5. Assists funeral home directors and families as necessary.

C.        Athletic Fields:

1. Performs all essential functions under Grounds Maintenance.
2. Performs daily field preparation for field activities.
3. Sets up P.A. system and any other special requirements for events. May assist with heating and lighting systems. Performs attendant duties for events at the Civic Field Complex.
4. Answers inquiries and informs the public of park regulations.

D.        Park Facilities Maintenance:

1. Performs all essential functions under Grounds Maintenance.
2. Cleans restrooms, empties trash containers, picks up litter, cleans park furniture such as picnic tables, benches, and grills, and cleans surfaces such as tennis courts, sidewalks, roads, parking areas, and shelter floors. Responds to and cleans up spills and sanitary hazards using appropriate infection control materials and techniques. Uses cleaning chemicals and solutions.
3. Answers inquiries and informs the public of park regulations. Resolves low level concerns and safety issues, such as questions around reservations, toilets overflowing, trash removal, missing items, and graffiti. Reports higher level issues to appropriate staff. Acts immediately to address inappropriate behaviors by contacting appropriate staff, law enforcement or other emergency personnel as appropriate.  
4. Performs start-of-day and end-of-day security procedures in park system as assigned, such as unlocking and locking facilities, and turning on and off lights.
5. Assists in preparing community park facilities for scheduled events and activities. Sets up signage, cordons off areas, and provides direction to appropriate parking. Cleans as needed during and after events, removing trash, monitoring restrooms, and stocking supplies.  
6. Inspects grounds, equipment, and buildings on a daily basis. Reports damage to the Park Specialist - Facilities using the maintenance management system. Uses standardized assessment form to report condition of playground equipment on a monthly basis to the Park Specialist – Facilities.
7. Operates a variety of facilities maintenance equipment including trucks, pressure washers, floor cleaning equipment, blowers, and trailers. Operates a variety of power hand equipment such as drills, reciprocating saws, and cleaning equipment. Performs regular cleaning and minor maintenance of equipment.  
8. Assists with repair, alteration and installation work to park buildings, structures and equipment involving carpentry, painting, masonry and other manual building trade skills.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Operates and maintains manual irrigation systems as required. Maintains drainage systems.
2. Performs related duties as assigned, within the scope of the classification.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions, some of the time in remote work sites. The work involves a moderate risk work environment which requires employees to follow established safety procedures in operating equipment and vehicles, handling irritant materials, performing repetitive activities, etc. Employees are required to wear personal protective equipment.

Physical abilities to perform assigned work:

• Ability to perform heavy physical labor including operating mechanical equipment for extended periods of time, climbing and working from ladders and setting up tents.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring repetitive hand and arm movements.
• Adequate hearing, correctable vision, and manual dexterity to operate power equipment safely in a noisy work environment.
• Ability to work overhead for extended periods of time.
• Ability to regularly lift moderately heavy objects up to 50 lbs., including small equipment, fertilizer and related materials. Ability to occasionally lift up to 60 lbs. Equipment and materials in excess of this weight are lifted utilizing proper body mechanics and assistance.

• Minimum one year paid grounds maintenance experience required.
• Experience in facility maintenance preferred.
• Previous training and education in horticulture and native plants preferred.
• Knowledge of horticulture equipment operation preferred.
• Skills and experience in the digging operation of a small backhoe preferred.
• Experience working with the public preferred.
• At least 18 years old by time of hire.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check and local background check (see Fair Hiring Practices).
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License by time of hire and proof of a good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire.
• Some positions within this classification require the ability to secure and maintain a Washington State pesticide license within twelve months of hire.
• Ability to secure and maintain valid First Aid and CPR certifications within twelve months of hire.
• Some positions within this classification require the ability to secure flagging and traffic control card within twelve months of hire.
• Some positions within this classification require the ability to secure a Commercial Driver's License within six months of hire and to maintain a valid CDL during length of employment.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questionnaire. Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.

Application Review Process:

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around March 7, 2023.
2. Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Relevancy of your experience and training, together with composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered when evaluating responses. Applicant status will be updated on or around March 14, 2023.
3. The top eight (8) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview via Zoom, tentatively scheduled for the week of March 20, 2023.
4. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Supplemental Question Review (30%) and Oral Board Interview (70%). You must have at least a 60% or higher Oral Board Interview score to be placed on the eligibility list.

The final candidates will be referred to the department for additional assessment.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill vacancies as they become available. The Civil Service Eligibility Register will remain in effect for four months or longer as established by the Civil Service Commission at a later date.

Currently there are two (2) fulltime vacancies with the Parks and Recreation Department. Work shifts vary and may include evening hours depending on time of year and include some holidays and weekends. The register created from this job posting will be used to fill new vacancies as they become available.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40 ), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

Salary : $23