Park Maintenance Worker Lead

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, plans, assigns, leads, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of a crew responsible for performing park maintenance functions; sets priorities and directs the work of assigned staff on a project or day-to-day basis; performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled work involving horticulture, arboriculture, and turf maintenance duties in the development, maintenance, and repair of landscaped areas, parks, playgrounds, and public facilities; operates a variety of park maintenance equipment; participates in the beautification of parks, playgrounds, and public facilities; participates in pest management duties; provides technical and specialized assistance to assigned management and supervisory staff, and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory and management personnel. As Lead, works closely with a small crew, providing technical and functional supervision while working in the field. May serve as acting supervisor in the absence of assigned supervisor.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level classification responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series. Incumbents regularly work on tasks that are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Incumbents lead a field crew and are required to operate and train others in the operation of a variety of equipment operations and work duties. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to ensure City parks and facilities are maintained in a safe and effective working condition and provide the highest level of safety for public use. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to complete assignments. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. Positions in this class are distinguished from supervisory classes in that they do not perform direct supervisory duties.

Examples of typicAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides technical and functional supervision to assigned staff responsible for maintenance, repair, construction, and installation work in the City’s parks and facilities; reviews and controls quality of work; troubleshoots and performs the more complex maintenance and repair activities including playground apparatus inspection.
• Plans, schedules, prioritizes, and assigns maintenance and repair work in consultation with supervisor; communicates status of repairs to appropriate personnel, working cooperatively to schedule repairs in accordance with established and special operational priorities; instructs staff in work procedures. 
• Provides performance related feedback to division supervisor as requested.
• Trains employees in work methods, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions.
• Operates a variety of park maintenance equipment including hand and power tools.
• Drives City vehicles used to transport materials, tools, and equipment.
• Performs skilled and semi-skilled trades work, including horticulture and arboriculture planting and maintenance, weed control, groundskeeping, pest management control, and athletic field preparation and maintenance.
• Performs light maintenance duties including light plumbing and related tasks.
• Prepares reports and forms including time records, equipment records, and work orders; maintains accurate records and logs of daily activities. 
• Responds to requests and complaints from the public and answers questions or refers to supervisor, as necessary; responds to telephone, e-mail, and in-person requests from City employees regarding their parks maintenance needs.
• Participates in all safety programs required to effectively perform associated job requirements
• Ensures staff compliance with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Responds to and performs emergency repairs and other emergency services as necessary. 
• Assists and/or confers with outside contractors in the performance of more complex repairs and construction of City parks facilities.
• Receives, prioritizes, and transmits work orders electronically; prepares, maintains, and inputs detailed logs, records, and reports of maintenance and repair activities via mobile and stationary digital devices into automated software systems. 
• Orders and purchases supplies, tools, materials, and parts needed for maintenance and repair work.
• Participates in all safety programs required to effectively perform associated job requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training 
• Horticultural and arboriculture principles and techniques.
• Plant pest and disease control and methods of eradication and use of chemicals including regulations regarding their use and application.
• Principles and practices of constructing and maintaining athletic fields, playgrounds, and facilities.
• Principles, practices, methods, techniques, materials, tools, and equipment used in skilled trades areas such as landscaping, horticulture, arboriculture, and related tasks. 
• Business mathematics.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Occupational hazards, safety precautions, and safe work practices including proper use and maintenance of power tools such as but not limited to: mower, backhoe, chipper, fork lift, tractor, front loader, stump grinder, trencher, vehicles, and equipment.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language to effectively perform the work.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction. 
• Inspect the work of others and maintain established quality control standards. 
• Perform skilled maintenance and repair work in park maintenance activities and related tasks.
• Competently care for plants, shrubs, turf, and trees; properly water and fertilize.
• Repair fences, playground equipment, and other facilities.
• Identify and implement an effective course of action to complete assigned work. 
• Oversee and participate in maintenance and related projects in the assigned functional area(s). 
• Read and interpret construction drawings, blueprints, maps, and specifications.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Safely and effectively use and operate a variety of park maintenance hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and light to medium equipment required for the work. 
• Understand and observe work safety rules, identify and address safety hazards, and train others in proper and safe work procedures. 
• Obtain certifications as required by OSHA/CalOSHA and provided by the City, to perform assigned duties.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to effectively perform work.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by training in environmental horticulture, parks and landscape maintenance, or a related field.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible journey-level parks and landscape maintenance experience equivalent to a Parks Maintenance Worker II with the City of Davis.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within probationary period, a valid California State Pesticide Applicators Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within probationary period, a valid National Playground Inspector’s Certificate (NPSI) designation by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), to be maintained throughout employment. 
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within probationary period, valid certification in American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, and AED to be maintained throughout employment.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a field environment; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to climb and descend ladders, to operate varied hand and power tools mowers, tractors, and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard and to operate the above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and assistance from other staff. Employees must wear and use the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Environmental Elements

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

May be required to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.