Parks Maintenance Worker an Caretaker - Career Ladder Group

Polk County Board of County Commissioners•Lakeland, FL

5d•$16 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

This career ladder position in Parks and Natural Resources maintains, repairs, and prepares County parks, grounds, athletic fields, buildings, and recreational facilities for safe public use. Work progresses from routine grounds and facility maintenance to specialized equipment operation, construction and repairs, irrigation and turf management, athletic field preparation, and crew leadership, based on training and experience. Duties may include maintaining natural grass and synthetic turf fields; cleaning public facilities; collecting litter; transporting and storing materials and equipment; repairing park furnishings; operating and maintaining tools, vehicles, and equipment; supporting facility setups and special events; recording work activities and completing work orders; and following safety procedures. More advanced roles perform skilled landscaping and irrigation work, prepare athletic fields, operate heavier equipment, apply approved turf treatments, conduct safety inspections, maintain inventories, and lead crews. This full-time position is based in Polk County, Florida. Employees must be able to work at different locations and varied schedules as operational needs require, and may need to support emergencies outside regular business hours. During emergencies, employees may be temporarily assigned duties, locations, or schedules outside their normal arrangements. The role requires the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform outdoor work in varying weather and environmental conditions.

Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
Ability to perform routine manual labor and develop skills in increasingly complex maintenance activities.
Ability to learn and safely operate grounds maintenance tools, equipment, and vehicles.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, perform basic calculations, and maintain accurate routine records.
Ability to use basic computer applications and learn electronic work-order and maintenance systems.
Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to perform assigned work outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions.
Ability to work at different locations and varied schedules as operational needs require.
Ability to communicate effectively and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and the public.
Ability to learn and apply occupational hazard awareness, safety precautions, and safe work practices appropriate to assigned tasks.
Ability to learn safe handling and application procedures for fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, consistent with required training and authorization.
A comparable combination of related training and experience may substitute for minimum qualifications, except where licensure or certification is required.
Parks Maintenance Worker I: No prior experience required.
Parks Maintenance Worker II: Six months of experience in park maintenance, grounds maintenance, or related work.
Parks Caretaker I: Minimum eighth-grade education; one year of experience in park maintenance, grounds maintenance, or related work; valid Florida Class B CDL with air brake endorsement at application and maintained throughout employment.
Parks Caretaker II: High school graduation from an accredited school or acceptable equivalency diploma; three years of experience in park maintenance, grounds maintenance, or related work; valid Florida Class B CDL with air brake endorsement at application and maintained throughout employment; current Trenching & Excavation Competent Person certification or equivalent qualification under applicable OSHA regulations; current Florida Ornamental and Turf Pest Control license or equivalent recognized by the appropriate licensing authority; and successful completion of at least one County-approved safety or hazard recognition course or equivalent training.
Must be able to change primary reporting location for short- or long-term assignments.
Must be capable of working various schedules for short- or long-term assignments.
Must successfully complete and maintain eligibility through a Florida Department of Law Enforcement background screening as a condition of employment.
Employees must be available to work before, during, or after an emergency and may be temporarily assigned duties outside the normal scope of the position, location, and work schedule.

Nice To Haves

Parks Caretaker I: Experience using transits, installing chain-link fencing, turf management, athletic field maintenance, or landscape maintenance is preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain and prepare natural grass and synthetic turf athletic fields through mowing, trimming, edging, grooming, and debris removal.
Clean and sanitize restrooms, pavilions, buildings, and other public-use facilities.
Collect litter, remove debris, and maintain orderly grounds and work areas.
Load, unload, transport, and store materials, supplies, and equipment.
Assemble, install, maintain, and repair park furnishings such as picnic tables, benches, and bleachers.
Safely operate assigned tools, vehicles, and equipment, and perform routine cleaning, inspections, and operator-level maintenance.
Assist with facility setup, special events, and related operational activities.
Document daily work and complete routine work orders and records using written and electronic systems, including specialized software.
Use, inspect, and maintain required personal protective equipment and safety devices according to procedures and regulations.
Perform routine grounds maintenance and manual labor, including weeding, raking, planting, and digging.
Perform basic maintenance and repairs to buildings, park fixtures, tables, and grills; install, maintain, and repair fencing and related fixtures.
Apply fertilizers and herbicides with hand-operated applicators in accordance with training, supervision, and applicable requirements.
Assist with athletic field maintenance and installation, maintenance, and repair of irrigation components.
Provide task guidance and on-the-job training to other staff when assigned; coordinate crew work when assigned.
Perform skilled grounds and landscape maintenance, including sod installation, tree planting, fertilizing, trimming, edging, and sign installation.
Install, maintain, and repair playground equipment, amenities, and irrigation system components, including sprinklers, piping, and valves.
Prepare and maintain athletic fields for open use, practices, games, and tournaments; perform field layout and repairs.
Operate assigned tractors, loaders, forklifts, trenchers, dump trucks, truck-and-trailer combinations, and other heavy-duty or specialty equipment when trained, licensed, and authorized.
Lead assigned crews, coordinate work activities, and promote safe and efficient completion of assignments.
Apply fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and other approved turf treatments in accordance with licensing, labeling, and safety requirements.
Conduct facility and grounds safety inspections, identify deficiencies, and coordinate or perform authorized corrective work.
Maintain accurate perpetual inventory and records for chemicals, tools, and equipment stored onsite.
Perform related duties as assigned.