Assistant Parks and Ground Superintendent

Town of Fuquay-Varina•Fuquay-Varina, NC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

An employee in this class assists with managing the work of a division responsible for trades repair and maintenance of parks, public grounds and facilities, cleaning and safety inspections, athletic field turf management and preparation, and landscape maintenance and mowing. Work involves budget development, staff hiring and performance management. In addition, the employee supervises the work of contractors engaged in construction and repair work. The employee is responsible for prioritizing projects, assigning work, and quality control. Work requires public contact skills in answering complaints, resolving problems, and handling requests for service from citizens and programming staff. The employee is subject to hazards in parks maintenance work including working in inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as noise, moving mechanical parts, chemicals, and atmospheric conditions. Work is performed and evaluated under the supervision of the Parks and Grounds Superintendent.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of methods, tools, and equipment utilized in parks, grounds, and facility maintenance and repair.
Considerable knowledge of playground and park safety issues and ability to inspect facilities to assure safe practices and prevent unnecessary liabilities.
Considerable knowledge of park maintenance issues including ball field preparations, irrigation, horticulture and turf management.
Considerable knowledge of supervisory principles and practices including leadership, motivation, performance coaching, evaluation and effective communications.
Knowledge of the application of information technology.
Knowledge of park planning and development.
General knowledge of the operation of departmental equipment.
Skill in collaborative conflict resolution and customer service excellence.
Skill in trades work and equipment operation.
Ability to supervise and mentor subordinates; ensure proper training and orientation of division staff and establish and communicate clear standards of performance excellence.
Ability to plan effectively for routine and long-term maintenance, prepare schedules, help establish and communicate priorities.
Analytical and problem-solving skills and abilities.
Ability to set and follow effective priorities and meet established deadlines.
Ability to develop and monitor budget and related activities and to prepare specifications for equipment and supplies needed.
Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with supervisors, peers, staff, other departments, and the general public.
Must be able to perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Must possess the visual acuity to use a computer, to analyze data and maps, to inspect worksites, and to operate equipment and use tools when needed.
Graduation from college with a degree in Recreation Resource Management, Turf Grass, Horticulture or similar field or considerable experience in the area of parks and recreation management or related fields such as landscaping, horticulture, or maintenance, including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
Ability to obtain pesticide applicators license.
Ability to obtain playground inspector certification within time frames established by the Town.
This position is designated as critical personnel, requiring performance of duties during inclement weather or other emergency situations to ensure continuity of town services.
The Town of Fuquay-Varina is a drug and alcohol-free workplace. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening.

Responsibilities

Supervises and participates in the work of staff engaged in park, greenway and public grounds landscape management; athletic field turf management and game preparation; facility maintenance and repair; and related activities.
Works through team leaders to oversee the work of full-time and part-time staff; communicates priorities and tracks quality and progress of work.
Assists with the development and management of the parks maintenance budget, develops bid specifications for equipment and projects costs for improvement needs.
Assists with the management of construction and other special projects; estimates project costs; manages contractors engaged in trades repairs, fence installation and repair, streetscape maintenance, park and greenway construction, masonry, and tree maintenance.
Participates in hiring and ensures training and orientation of new employees; provides mentoring, performance coaching and evaluation for staff; coordinates career development of staff.
Participates in long range planning for park construction, upgrades, and needs.
Assists with planning, ordering, designing and supervision of installation of flowers, shrubbery and other horticultural plant materials; makes selections based on regional characteristics, maintenance and irrigation requirements.
Maintains records and prepares reports on division activities such as jobs and materials, playground inspections, service records on equipment and vehicles, and time sheets; manages work order system; compiles data for various administrative reports.
Handles requests for service and complaints concerning facility and grounds operations from the public and programming staff.
Assists in set-up of various facilities for special events and Town-sponsored activities.
Participates in inspection of parks and facilities, including playgrounds and fields for safety, and makes records for liability purposes; instructs workers and inspects work for adherence to procedures and standards and to assure safe working practices are followed; participates in the work of the division when needed.
Perform skilled maintenance work (carpentry, electrical, plumbing and equipment operation) as needed.
Perform related duties as required.