Parks Grounds Specialist (Zilker Park/Parks and Recreation Department)

Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus two (2) years experience related to grounds keeping or general labor services, at least one (1) year of which is in the assigned area of specialization.
• Experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years.
  
  

Licenses Or Certifications

• If assigned to operate vehicles, must possess the appropriate Texas Driver’s License for those vehicles.
  
  

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Parks Grounds Specialist position is to maintain and provide improvements to citywide hike and bike trail infrastructures and along with the crew (or independently) act as first responders to address public safety concerns. Services will be processed utilizing standard construction techniques, methods, and practices.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Driving Requirement: This position requires current possession of a Texas Class C Driver’s License or to have the ability to obtain within 90 days of employment. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds. Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases, and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond, and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.
  
  

Other Information

• Posting Guidelines: PARD reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.
  
  

Pay Range

$22.22 - $24.77 per hour.

Hours

Work/Location Schedule Notes:

• Monday through Friday; 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Work a weekend rotation schedule.
• May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.
  
  

Job Close Date 04/01/2025 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 2105 Andrew Zilker Road, Austin, Texas 78746 Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Experience

• Experience providing custodial and/or janitorial services in a park like setting.
• Experience with detailed inspection/playground assessments and reporting damages to grounds, trees, playground equipment and/or restrooms.
• Experience performing general maintenance repairs and the ability to use the required tools to complete repairs like fence repairs, patching potholes, installing signs, and working with concrete.
• Experience with custodial equipment such as litter sticks, power washers, backpack blower, floor scrubber and chemical dispensers, etc.
• Experience performing minor plumbing repairs.
• Experience with transport of materials via truck and trailer.
• Experience reviewing event plans and performing set up and tear down duties.
• Experience with prioritizing, completing and closing work orders.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Experience with computer/tablet use to include utilizing MS Outlook and MS Teams.
  
  

Other

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.
  
  

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Performs skilled and semi-skilled grounds maintenance tasks. Performs minor and major repairs Performs general concrete work. Operates department equipment Operates hand tools. Performs safety inspections and addresses deficits. Drives service vehicles Removes graffiti or paint Assists the public with questions/concerns

Responsibilities - Supervisor And/or Leadership Exercised

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of general grounds keeping processes, policies and procedures within the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Knowledge of assigned areas, i.e., hike and bike trail surfaces, athletic fields, equipment, etc.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to operate power tools.
• Ability to lifting and carry equipment or materials applicable to the work being performed
• Ability to train and lead others.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees and the public.
  
  

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * Please describe your experience performing general maintenance repairs along with the types of equipment and tools you have experience using.

• The minimum qualifications for the Parks Grounds Specialist position are: Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus two (2) years experience related to grounds keeping or general labor services, at least one (1) year of which is in the assigned area of specialization. Experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?
• Yes
• No
  
  

(Open Ended Question) * The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement? * Are you related to any person employed by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department? If yes, please list the relative's name and relationship:

• This position requires a Valid Driver Class C License. Do you have a Valid Driver Class C License or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a Valid Driver Class C License by your hire date?
• Yes
• No
• Yes
• No
  
  

(Open Ended Question) * Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.
• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.
• Yes
• No
  
  

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents