What are the responsibilities and job description for the Parks Specialist position at Hays County?
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, include the responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics listed below. This list of responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Summary
Under general supervision, the Parks Specialist works independently to open and close parks, collect permits or entrance fees, provide caretaker and sanitation services, maintenance and capital improvements and developments at Hays County parks and natural areas and other facilities. The Parks Specialist ensures parks and other county properties are aesthetically pleasing, clean, and safe while also providing an enjoyable experience for park visitors through informing them of park plans and histories, providing tours and assisting educational and civic groups. This position may be assigned to work at multiple locations, including Five Mile Dam Park, Jacobs Well, Dahlstrom Preserve, Sentinel Preserve, or the Winters Mill Parkway walking trail. This position facilitates and has an immediate impact on the operation of the County park facilities and the general public.
Responsibilities
§ Opens and closes park gates and facilities at park properties and maintains a presence at assigned locations including Five Mile Dam, Jacob’s Well Natural Area, Dahlstrom Preserve, Sentinel Preserve, and Winters Mill Parkway walking trail and surrounding property throughout hours of operation.
§ Limits access to locations to the preset number of visitors, maintains a log detailing site visits, activities observed, number of visitors, times of visits, rule infractions, and other pertinent information.
§ Utilizes the parks’ reservation system and payment software to check in visitors and accept payment to County parks.
§ Provides First Aid, CPR, or emergency assistance to visitors as needed.
§ Provides caretaker and sanitation services on the Hays County park properties; cleans restrooms, buildings, facilities, and replenishes supplies as needed.
§ Maintains the general appearance of the parks by collecting and disposing of trash and debris, in trashcans and on grounds, ensuring that parks are aesthetically pleasing.
§ Interacts with the public on a regular basis in several different capacities, including demonstrating, supporting and enforcing park department customer service standards, explaining park policies and regulations to visitors, advising patrons of unsafe conditions, rules and enforces them when necessary by seeking voluntary compliance, issuing verbal warnings or calling authorities when needed.
§ Supports and maintains collaborative efforts with internal and external groups and organizations; provides assistance to external research and educational organizations working on projects or events at parks; assists with scheduled tours and leads impromptu tours of the park or location upon visitors’ request, including the area geology, flora/fauna, history, conservation practices and importance to Hays County; assists with planned summer day camp activities, school groups activities, both for community service and educational visits including demonstrations, tours and educating the public on the importance of conservation of natural resources; assists with setup, take down and maintenance of facilities for special events; coordinates and performs recreational activities for visitors of all ages; and assists in creating and implementing new park educational and recreational programs.
§ Assists with scheduling and providing backup to research dive teams at Jacob’s Well to ensure that the public is aware of their role and how important it is for the public to respect their safety while diving in the well.
§ Assists in the development, maintenance, debris removal, grading and renovation, signing of public use recreation trails.
§ Performs routine and minor maintenance on park property, buildings, and facilities; assists building maintenance staff on major maintenance or repair projects; and advises supervisor of maintenance or repair requirements that are not routine.
§ Assists with tree planting, landscaping and invasive species removal and performs tree and downed limb removal, tree trimming, and brush chipping.
§ Installs and maintains park signage and keeps parks free of graffiti by removing or painting over as directed by the Parks Manager.
§ Performs regular vehicle maintenance such as washing and checking fluids and inspects, maintains and repairs park equipment as needed including lawnmowers, tractors, weed eaters, chainsaws, and other minor equipment.
§ Documents man-hours and materials needed and used on specific projects and reports daily progress of assigned tasks and any issues that may delay completion of duties or materials and assistance needed to complete job requirements.
§ Attends external meetings, events and functions as a representative of Hays County Parks Department.
§ Performs other duties as assigned
- Requires High School Degree or GED.
- Current valid Class “C” Driver’s License.
- Current First Aid or CPR qualification, or must obtain within 3 months.
Salary : $38,155 - $41,369
