Grounds Maintenance Supervisor at Sitka, City and Borough of (AK) – Sitka, Alaska

The primary purpose of this position is to supervise all Grounds Maintenance Unit employees. This position provides guidance and assistance for all maintenance and operations activities assigned to the Grounds Maintenance Unit.

Under the general supervision of the Maintenance Superintendent, the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor has the authority to exercise considerable independent judgement and discretion as both a manager supervising staff and a professional with technical expertise to perform the position’s daily tasks and responsibilities within department established policies and procedures. The Grounds Maintenance Supervisor directly supervises more than two employees.

The Grounds Maintenance Supervisor is a management employee who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Maintenance Superintendent, Public Works Director, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, and other department heads who formulates, determines, or effectuates management policies.


• Supervises, trains, assigns, prioritizes, motivates and evaluates the work of direct reports
• Directs the work of Ground Maintenance Workers consistent with preventative maintenance schedules, department priorities, and established levels of service
• Responsible for and approves timesheets for direct reports
• Ensures regulatory and safety policies are observed by grounds maintenance staff while performing their duties
• Evaluates completed work orders and holds direct reports accountable for maintaining clear and accurate records
• Coordinates training and certification with the Maintenance Superintendent to ensure maintenance personnel have the skills to perform their duties
• Identifies, plans, schedules, and documents all staff work activities using a computerized maintenance management system, where applicable
• Provides hands-on training, maintenance, and operations support in the field, as needed
• Prepares and forecasts annual budget; monitors current expenditures against approved budget
• Informs Maintenance Superintendent and designated others on status of all ground’s infrastructure work schedule and progress, including recent and potential work problems, and recommendations for ways of addressing such problems
• Conducts routine inspections of grounds, identifying maintenance needs, and safety hazards
• Develops plans to address identified maintenance needs with the Maintenance Superintendent and other grounds maintenance staff
• Coordinates with the Maintenance Superintendent in the development and implementation of a preventative maintenance program
• Updates preventative maintenance schedules and facility information using computerized maintenance management software
• Maintains clear and accurate records of completed work orders in electronic form
• Updates operations and maintenance records relating to grounds maintenance status and progress
• Evaluates completed work orders and holds maintenance personnel accountable for maintaining clear and accurate records
• Responds promptly to emergency maintenance requests relating to grounds systems, including emergency response outside of work hours when on “on-call” status
• Plans projects to address facility repairs and maintenance, including writing project proposals, reviewing budgets, receiving cost estimates, and coordinating work with grounds maintenance personnel and contractors
• Purchases materials, equipment, parts, and supplies in accordance with approved procurement procedures
• Operates snow removal equipment when required
• Performs other duties as assigned
Knowledge of:
• Grounds and parks maintenance and repair, including special project analysis, construction, inspection, program management, and contract administration
• Current methods, best practices, materials, tools, and techniques used in maintenance and repair of grounds and parks systems including construction, operations, paving, vegetation removal, landscaping, and other maintenance activities
• Local, state and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, assistance and grant programs applicable to municipal grounds and parks projects
• Safety requirements, standards, protocols, work practices, and procedures related to grounds and parks construction, and operations, and maintenance
• Operational means and methods associated with grounds and parks construction, operations, maintenance and repair activities
• Principles and practices of supervision, financial management, and procurement within a municipality

Skills in:
• Operating a personal computer using standard Microsoft software applications appropriate to assigned tasks, including Excel and Word and a computerized maintenance management system
• Operating hand and power tools, machinery, equipment and materials required to supervise staff performing the unit’s assigned duties and responsibilities and to perform same when necessary
• Leading, mentoring, training, and evaluating of staff to effectively and efficiently perform required maintenance tasks in a timely manner
• Reading, interpreting, and applying operational procedures, schematics, blueprints, and plans
• Reading, comprehending, instructing, and following safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Planning, organizing, and executing maintenance projects within budget parameters with limited staff
• Identifying problems and implementing effective solutions to assigned maintenance operations
• Verbal and written communication skills for interacting with staff, other departments, and the public
• Engaging positively with the community and address any public concerns related to assigned area of maintenance
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing tasks effectively based on direction, urgency, and limited funding or staffing

Ability to:
• Recognize and maintain confidential information
• Supervise others in a positive, productive and effective manner
• Recognize and maintain high standards of quality and detail in all aspects of assigned maintenance area
• Make informed decisions quickly, particularly in emergency situations
• Promote a collaborative and positive working environment among maintenance crews and other departments
• Adapt to changing weather conditions, work schedules, and project demands
• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
• Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures, and instructions
• Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written
specifications and oral instructions
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
• Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge

• High School Diploma or GED; Associate degree in construction, management, engineering, or a related field, preferred; and
• Five years of experience in landscaping, grounds or parks maintenance, repair, and construction, in Sitka preferred; and
• One year of lead experience (equivalent to the Grounds Maintenance Worker III) or similar experience outside of Sitka is preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work


• Possession of a valid Alaska driver’s license
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire,
o Valid Alaska Class B commercial driver’s license
o First aid and CPR certification
o OSHA 30 Construction Safety certification
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 18 months of hire, NRPA Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certificate
• Wear the right attire and safety gear for the work assigned
• Work hours outside of normal shifts in the early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays and be on-call for 24 hours when necessary
Employee is expected to maintain the above-required certifications for the duration of their employment in Public Works.
Working Conditions:
•Works in the field outside, often in inclement weather with related hazards, about 75% of the time
•Works in office setting about 25% of the time performing time entry, work order entry, and budgetary responsibilities
•Works on and around active roadways, bridges, stormwater systems, and ancillary facilities with related hazards

Specific Physical Requirements:
•Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling and crouching
•Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying up to 50 pounds with or without assistance of proper equipment
•Frequent physical movement (walking, standing, sitting, stooping, climbing) throughout the workday depending on operational needs and where working (office or field)
•Visual and hearing acuity required to:
o See (both near and far) and hear to operate vehicles, equipment, and tools, monitor traffic, and observe people and objects to ensure a safe work environment
o Have the required depth perception to operate vehicles safely and effectively
•Frequently stands for long periods of time
•Frequently reaches, handles, and feels in order to operate vehicles and equipment

General Physical Requirements:
•Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing which permits the employee to communicate effectively
•Sufficient vision and powers of observation which permits the employee to operate equipment and tools used in operation and maintenance of grounds infrastructure
•Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to operate computers and grasp tools used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of grounds infrastructure
•Sufficient physical mobility and reflexes which permits the employee to climb, enter and exit confined spaces, inside and outdoors to manipulate equipment and adhere to safety protocols in the inspection, operation, and repair of grounds infrastructure