Parks Maintenance Worker I, II, Parks Caretaker I, II

Polk County Board of County Commissioners•Winter Haven, FL

2d•$20•Onsite

About The Position

Performs progressively skilled work to maintain, repair, and prepare County parks, grounds, athletic fields, buildings, and recreational facilities for safe public use. Work ranges from routine grounds and facility maintenance to specialized equipment operations, construction and repairs, irrigation and turf management, athletic field preparation, and crew leadership as training and experience increase. This full-time position is based in Polk County, Florida. Employees may be assigned to different reporting locations and schedules for short- or long-term operational needs and may be required to support emergencies outside regular business hours. Employees must be able to perform essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation, and work before, during, or after an emergency; emergency assignments may fall outside the normal scope, location, and schedule of the position. The posting covers four levels: Parks Maintenance Worker I and II, and Parks Caretaker I and II. Starting salaries are $16.40 per hour for Parks Maintenance Worker I (Pay Grade 5), $16.67 for Parks Maintenance Worker II (Pay Grade 6), $17.88 for Parks Caretaker I (Pay Grade 8), and $19.72 for Parks Caretaker II (Pay Grade 10).

Requirements

Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
Be able to perform routine manual labor and develop skills in increasingly complex maintenance activities.
Be able to learn and safely operate grounds maintenance tools, equipment, and vehicles.
Be able to follow oral and written instructions, perform basic calculations, and maintain accurate routine records.
Be able to use basic computer applications and learn electronic work-order and maintenance systems.
Be able to regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Be able to work outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions.
Be able to work at different locations and varied schedules as operational needs require.
Be able to communicate effectively and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and the public.
Be able to learn and apply occupational hazard awareness, safety precautions, and safe work practices appropriate to assigned tasks.
Be able 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; and a valid Florida Class B CDL with air brake endorsement at application, maintained throughout employment.
Parks Caretaker II: high school graduation from an accredited school or an acceptable equivalency diploma; three years of experience in park maintenance, grounds maintenance, or related work; and a valid Florida Class B CDL with air brake endorsement at application, maintained throughout employment.
Parks Caretaker II: possess and maintain Trenching & Excavation Competent Person certification or equivalent qualification under applicable OSHA regulations.
Parks Caretaker II: possess and maintain a current Florida Ornamental and Turf Pest Control license, or an equivalent recognized by the appropriate licensing authority.
Parks Caretaker II: successfully complete at least one County-approved safety or hazard recognition course, or equivalent training.
Be able to change primary reporting location for short- or long-term assignments and work various schedules for such assignments.
Successfully complete and maintain eligibility through a Florida Department of Law Enforcement background screening as a condition of employment.
Be available to work before, during, or after emergencies, including temporary assignments outside the normal position scope, location, or schedule.

Nice To Haves

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

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 keep grounds and work areas clean and orderly.
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 established procedures and applicable regulations.
Perform related duties as assigned.
At the Parks Maintenance Worker I level, perform routine grounds maintenance and manual labor, including weeding, raking, planting, and digging; operate assigned light-duty vehicles, hand power tools, and small grounds equipment when trained and authorized.
At the Parks Maintenance Worker II level, perform basic maintenance and repairs to buildings, park fixtures, tables, and grills; install, maintain, and repair fencing and related fixtures; apply fertilizers and herbicides using hand-operated applicators according to training, supervision, and applicable requirements; assist with athletic field maintenance and irrigation components; and provide task guidance and on-the-job training when assigned.
At the Parks Caretaker I level, perform skilled grounds and landscape maintenance, including sod installation, tree planting, fertilizing, trimming, edging, and sign installation; install, maintain, and repair playground equipment and amenities; maintain irrigation components; prepare and maintain athletic fields; perform field layout and repair; operate assigned larger equipment when trained and licensed; and serve as a crew leader when assigned.
At the Parks Caretaker II level, regularly lead assigned crews; perform advanced natural and synthetic turf maintenance and field preparation; apply approved turf treatments according to licensing, labeling, and safety requirements; install, diagnose, maintain, and repair irrigation systems; conduct safety inspections and coordinate or perform authorized corrective work; maintain perpetual inventories and records for onsite chemicals, tools, and equipment; and operate heavy-duty and specialty equipment when trained, licensed, and authorized.