This is a skilled and semi-skilled position responsible for the daily and routine maintenance of city parks, school grounds, athletic facilities, municipal grounds, municipal recreation facilities/buildings and the urban forest (under the guidance of the City Tree Warden). The work consists of operating a variety of equipment such as pick-up trucks, Class B dump trucks, bucket trucks, utility tractors with attachments and/or 3-point hitch implements, commercial mowers and front-end loaders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plants and trims lawns, trees, bushes, hedges, and shrubs using commercial equipment, hand and power tools.
• Landscapes new ground areas, repairs damaged ground areas, replaces bushes, hedges, shrubs, and trees.
• Is responsible for daily and routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment, including vehicles, commercial mowing equipment, tractors, trailers, snowplows, and minor equipment.
• Care for landscaped areas by watering, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, routine maintenance, and controlling weeds.
• Ability to operate front-end loader to load necessary material.
• Perform seasonal grounds keeping and recreational support duties as required.
• Participates in the City-wide emergency response programs; the incumbent must be available in the event of emergencies situations to assist in coordinating restoration of services and clean-up activities.
• The work schedule for this position is routinely a standard work week but can include a flexible schedule to include weekend and evening hours.
• Performs related work as required for the effective operation of the department
• Maintains knowledge of current trends, maintenance procedures, and equipment for the further development and upkeep of the parks, athletic fields, and facilities.
• May include outside winter work in the maintenance of ice rink, trails, and other winter recreation venues.
• Performs related work as required for the effective operation of the department

MANDATORY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• The candidate for this position should have a High School diploma or equivalent. Possess a minimum of 3 years’ experience performing commercial parks, athletic turf management, or tree care maintenance activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to operate and maintain equipment including, but not limited to, vehicles, commercial turf mowers, tractors, and chain saws.
• Possess knowledge of turf management practices to recognize and diagnose possible problems.
• Considerable knowledge and methods of commercial landscaping practices and plant care.
• Considerable knowledge of use and care of motorized equipment and hand/power tools used in ground maintenance.
• Considerable knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to grounds keeping and maintenance work.
• Detail oriented, with considerable attention to order and potential hazards in public landscapes and athletic fields.
• Ability to lead, instruct, and train others in the work, including the operation and proper use of equipment.
• Ability to follow oral instructions and read written instructions.
• Ability to use hand tools, including electronic equipment, and operate motorized equipment and vehicles such as cars, commercial trucks, tractors and implements.
• Requires speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes issuing and receiving assignments, instructions, and/or directions.
• Good interpersonal skills; the ability to deal effectively with the general public, children of various ages, as well as coworkers and other municipal employees.
• The ability to complete several tasks in decentralized areas.
• Physical ability to work long hours operating various pieces of equipment in adverse weather conditions.
• The ability to recognize need for equipment repairs.
• The ability to follow manufactures guidelines in working with materials in a safe manner.
• Possession (or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire) of a valid Maine Class B CDL operator's license with air brake endorsement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and smell.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 80lbs. Requires full range of body motion, to include bending at waist and full use of all extremities and back muscles. Requires excellent levels of equilibrium when positioned on slippery, uneven, or wet surfaces. Possess accurate depth perception, as well as near/far vision of 20/40, uncorrected or corrected and the ability to distinguish colors. Ability to hear within three feet and on the telephone. Possess fine motor dexterity in both hands.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit, stand, talk and hear, and walk various sites including rough and uneven surfaces. Position involves ascending and descending ladders, stairs ramps, etc. The incumbent works in a variety of settings and is frequently around children of all ages. The noise level in the work environment can be extremely noisy when park’s equipment is being used. Additional occupational risks may be present as related to chemicals from supplies, operation of equipment, and completing maintenance activities in commercial parks, athletic turf management, and tree care. Safety toed work boots constructed of sturdy leather and at least 6” high that comply with ANSI Z41-1991 are required to be worn at all times.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision - 80% covered by the City
• City paid Life Insurance
• City paid STD/LTD
• Retirement plans including MainePERS pension program, 401(a), 457(b), Retirement Health Savings
• Vacation Time, Sick Time, Personal Days
• Paid Parental Leave
• City paid holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness Program

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please visit our website to apply:

http://www.sacomaine.org/departments/human_resources/apply_now.php

A complete application will include the application, letter of intent, resume and references. Please contact Jill Fogg, Human Resources, with any questions at (207) 710-5037.