Park Keeper II

Dakota County•Various Throughout Dakota County, MN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Park Keeper II position is responsible to maintain, enhance, and expand our Park and Facility grounds. Staff do routine maintenance and highly skilled project work on our trails, turf, trees, plantings, hardscape, fences, decks, camper cabins, bridges, and picnic shelters. This position is also responsible to serve as a lead person over other Park and temporary staff on tasks and projects. In the winter months Park Keeping staff are responsible for grooming cross country ski trails and snow removal in County parking lots, access roads, sidewalks, and trails. The Dakota County Parks system is a growing, thriving natural resource-based park system with over 2.8 million visitors annually. Our park system includes 6 parks, 5,500 acres of premiere park land and 66 miles of scenic regional greenways. We are currently recruiting to fill two full-time positions, working out of the Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan and Spring Lake Park in Hastings.

Requirements

One year certificate/degree in Grounds Maintenance, Natural Resources, Landscape; Horticulture, Design and Construction, Park Maintenance, Architecture, or a closely related field.
Two years of grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance.
An equivalent combination of education and experience to total 3 years.
Experience must be directly related to grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance
A valid driver's license and ability to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license within the first year of employment.
Knowledge of practices, functions and procedures for higher skilled parks maintenance, repairs, and construction tasks.
Knowledge of State and Federal D.O.T. laws and regulations relating to the safe operation of motor vehicles and truck trailer combinations.
Ability to operate County Fleet vehicles such as: truck trailer combinations, truck plow combinations, tractors, and ATV equipment.
Knowledge of safety rules, regulations and practices.
Knowledge of daily and routine maintenance requirement of power tools, vehicles, and equipment.
Knowledge in the maintenance and management of turf grass, shrubs, and trees. This includes the identification of trees, diseases, measures of control, and proper use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Knowledge and ability to implement landscape and facility projects which require skilled construction techniques and applications.
Ability and skill to operate power tools, vehicles, light and heavy equipment in a proficient and safe manner.
Ability to perform heavy manual labor tasks requiring strength and coordination.
Basic ability to read, understand, and implement construction drawings.
Ability to work with minimal supervision, set priorities, and organize multiple work tasks.
Ability to work in a team environment and effectively lead other staff, contractors, and/or volunteers.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Knowledge and ability to work on a computer to complete basic work tasks such as: create & send emails, open & modify word or excel documents, and perform basic internet searches.

Nice To Haves

Commercial driver's license
MN Tree Inspector Certificate
MN Chemical Applicators License
Completed training and/or degree focused on grounds maintenance operations, to include but not limited to turf management, pesticide and fertilizer application, tree care, and landscape design and maintenance.
Basic to intermediate knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Word and the internet is desired.

Responsibilities

Implementing tree maintenance/management programs including work such as: trimming, removals, and stump grinding.
Performing landscape improvements including work such as: planting trees and shrubs, seeding, laying sod, grading, and site restoration.
Snow plowing County parking lots, access roads and greenways using truck plow combinations, UTV's, and/or tractor. After hour and weekend snow removal will occur during snow events.
Maintaining turf areas, including tasks such as: mowing, over-seeding, aerating, pesticide application, and fertilizing.
Maintaining access roads, trails, parking lots, utilities, retaining walls, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Performs routine and higher skilled maintenance, repairs, and construction to buildings, structures and facilities.
Act as lead person, when assigned, over employees at the same or lower grade level, overseeing and performing miscellaneous tasks and projects.
Operate fleet vehicles such as: trucks, tractors, skid steers, trailers, plows, and UTV's to perform daily duties.
Safely and proficiently operate all power tools, light and heavy equipment, and vehicles.
Assist with training employees in safe and proficient operation of power tools, light and heavy equipment, and vehicles.
Assists Fleet Management Department with the repair and maintenance of County vehicles and equipment.
Assists in emergency situations as directed.
Performs other maintenance tasks as apparent, necessary or assigned.