Park Specialist - Trails

City of Bellingham • City of Bellingham, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Join our team as a Park Specialist – Trails and help shape exceptional outdoor experiences, where you will lead in the planning, maintenance, and enhancement of trails, greenways, natural areas, and wetland mitigation sites. In this dynamic role, you'll guide staff, manage equipment and resources, and drive improvements that keep our public spaces thriving. If you’re energized by stewardship, organization, and hands-on leadership, this is your chance to make a lasting impact. The Trails Park Specialist plans, schedules, establishes performance standards, monitors and implements all work activities in the Trails program which includes trails and greenways, open space natural areas and wetland mitigation. This includes maintaining inventory of all Trails program areas and their needs, providing technical direction and training to staff, providing input on budgetary requirements, recommending new construction and renovation, and developing and implementing an integrated pest management program for area of responsibility. Responsible for the selection, care, operation and replacement of all equipment for the program area. Oversees all staff assigned to program area and provides input on performance evaluations. Participates in the hiring of seasonal employees, subject to supervisor approval. Tracks and orders materials, equipment and supplies for program area, including price and product evaluation as well as bid packet creation and evaluation.

Requirements

• Three years’ experience in grounds care, forestry, vegetation control, trail maintenance or trail construction
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Employment contingent upon passing criminal convictions check and child and adult abuse records check
• Valid Washington State driver’s license by the time of hire and good driving record.
• Ability to secure a Commercial Driver’s License within six months of hire and to maintain a valid CDL during length of employment.
• Ability to secure and maintain a Washington State Pesticide License within 12 months
• Ability to secure and maintain a valid First Aid and CPR certification within six months of hire
• Must secure and maintain a Flagging/Traffic Control Certification within 12 months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• One year of vocational school or related coursework in horticulture/grounds/turf care may substitute for one year of required experience
• Knowledge of all facets of park trails and grounds care for the local ecology
• One year lead worker experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Plans, schedules, establishes performance standards, monitors and implements all work activities in the Trails program which includes trails and greenways, open space natural areas and wetland mitigation.
• Maintains inventory of all Trails program areas and their needs.
• Provides technical direction and training to staff.
• Provides input on budgetary requirements.
• Recommends new construction and renovation.
• Develops and implements an integrated pest management program for area of responsibility.
• Responsible for the selection, care, operation and replacement of all equipment for the program area.
• Oversees all staff assigned to program area and provides input on performance evaluations.
• Participates in the hiring of seasonal employees, subject to supervisor approval.
• Tracks and orders materials, equipment and supplies for program area, including price and product evaluation as well as bid packet creation and evaluation.

Benefits

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed