NW Trek Maintenance Worker at Parks Tacoma – Eatonville, Washington

Based on our internal equity review process, the starting hourly wage for this position will be $29.57
The full-salary range for this position is $29.57- $36.75 per hour

Working on the Facilities team at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park means every day brings something different. While we handle the essential custodial, horticulture, and routine maintenance needs of the park, we get to do that work surrounded by towering forests, natural landscapes, and wildlife. This position focuses primarily on custodial and horticulture tasks, including supporting tree planting, maintaining our nursery, and managing noxious and invasive plants. You’ll also work closely with volunteers, help care for the core areas of the park, and work within our protected wetland—ensuring our grounds remain beautiful, safe, and accessible for all guests.

Work where you play!
Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are
Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information
Under the direction of the NW Trek Maintenance Lead, perform a variety of grounds maintenance and facility maintenance unique to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Perform custodial and cleanup functions as required; clean restrooms, toilets, sinks, mirrors and walls.

Mow, rake, edge, weed, fertilize and water lawns and animal exhibit areas.

Plant, fertilize, water, trim and prune shrubs and trees as assigned.

Sweep and blow debris from walks and driveways; gather and remove trash from grounds.

Prepare rooms or facilities for special functions; move furniture, equipment and other objects as required.

Maintain nature trails: shoveling, weed removal, hauling and placing gravel.

Sweep, mop and clean floors; vacuum and shampoo carpets and rugs.

Operate park vehicles as assigned; learn the safe operation of equipment, such as riding mowers and trucks.

Perform assigned maintenance to animal exhibits including: fence/wire work, painting, nailing, drainage, raking, barking, etc.

Assist zoological department with animal handling and restraint as assigned.

Assist in general maintenance, repair, and construction work in the various maintenance trades, including carpentry, plumbing, HVAC and painting.

Assist skilled maintenance personnel in the construction, installation, and maintenance of furniture,fences, animal exhibits and special facilities.

Assist in the installation, repair, and maintenance of irrigation and water lines.

Perform related duties as assigned.

OCCASIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL DUTIES:
Perform minor repair and construction duties on special project assignments, such as irrigation, carpentry or masonry work.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above.

LICENSE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid Washington driver's license with acceptable driving record.
Obtain a valid First Aid and CPR Certificate issued by an authorized agency within probationary period.
Ability to work a schedule that includes weekends.
This position is a represented position with the International Union of Operating Engineers.

ENVIRONMENT:
Indoor and outdoor environment.
Driving a vehicle to conduct work.
Regular exposure to fumes, dust and odors.
Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions.
Noise from equipment operation.
Dangerous animals.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
Standing and walking for extended periods of time.
Bending at the waist.
Pushing and pulling maintenance supplies and equipment.
Lifting and moving furniture and objects weighing up to 75 pounds.
Climbing ladders.
Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.
Climbing ladders, stairs, scaffolding, and ramps.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate hand and power tools and equipment.
Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
Heavy physical labor.

HAZARDS:
Working at heights on ladders or scaffolding.
Working with and around machinery having moving parts.
Exposure to fertilizer fumes, pollen and dust.
Fumes from vehicle and equipment operation.
Chemical fumes
Dangerous animals

KNOWLEDGE:
• Modern cleaning methods including basic methods of cleaning and preserving floors, carpets, furniture, walls and fixtures.
• Basic grounds maintenance procedures including mowing, edging, raking and weeding.
• Methods, equipment and materials used in building and grounds maintenance care.
• Operation and use of hand and power tools and equipment.
• Basic materials, equipment and terminology used in the maintenance trades.
• Methods, equipment and materials used in building and grounds maintenance and care.
• Basic methods and practices of specialized trades such as carpentry and masonry.
• Operation and maintenance of hand tools and equipment.
• Appropriate safety practices and procedures.

ABILITY TO:
• Learn procedures, methods and schedules.
• Work around the public in a safe, courteous manner.
• Use tools and equipment common to the maintenance trade.
• Maintain park facilities in a clean, safe and secure condition.
• Move and arrange furniture and equipment for meetings and special events.
• Perform general grounds maintenance duties including mowing, edging and weeding.
• Assist others in specialized grounds keeping activities.
• Mow, edge, water, weed, fertilize, rake and cultivate grassy public areas and landscaped animal exhibits.
• Assist other maintenance personnel in the maintenance and repair of park buildings, facilities and grounds.
• Perform general maintenance and repair on park furniture, buildings, fixtures and facilities.
• Learn safe operation of a wide variety of power equipment related to the building trades and grounds maintenance work.
• Operate a variety of equipment and machines including small tractors, riding mowers, trucks and other equipment not requiring a Commercial driver's license.
• Maintain tools and equipment in proper condition.
• Interpret rules and regulations.
• Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
• Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
• Take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
• Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
• Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
• Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
• Report for work regularly and on time.

PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

Parks Tacoma employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Parks Tacoma is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at hr@parkstacoma.gov

Employment is subject to a national background check.