What are the responsibilities and job description for the Parks Specialist position at City of Lake Oswego, OR?
DESCRIPTION
BENEFITS
The Position
The Parks Specialist in this position performs a variety of duties related to the maintenance, operation and servicing of City parks as a part of a team. This position is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual with knowledge of general parks landscape, turf, facility and irrigation maintenance to serve in a passionate, innovative community. This position is represented by the Lake Oswego Municipal Employees' Association.
The Department: The Parks Division of the Parks and Recreation Department manages the land and physical facilities of the parks system. The 650 acres of City-owned land includes: developed park sites, playgrounds, natural areas, special facility areas, 14 acres of athletic fields and golf course. Ongoing task vary from landscape bed maintenance, mowing, irrigation repair, restroom maintenance, facility cleaning and repair and equipment operation. This division also supports and set up for many community events such as the Farmers Market, summer concerts, Festival of the Arts, park dedication ceremonies, tree lighting and many more.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high level of landscape, facility and turf care of our parks.
- Clean and service park facilities. This includes but is not limited to: trash and litter clean-up, restroom cleaning, repair or replacement of park amenities (benches, fencing, fountains), and event preparation of city facilities and natural areas.
- Additional specialty projects and related duties of a similar scope and nature as assigned.
- The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the principals and practices of repair, maintenance, construction and installation used in parks systems. Must also be able to read and understand maps, plans, drawings, orders and/or other documents as required.
- Carry out all assigned work in a safe and responsible manner; comply with safety requirements and regulations; identify and abstain from participating in unsafe work environments. Read and review safety material, training documentation, SDS, instructional materials, and traffic signs.
Education and Experience Requirements
Qualified candidates must be able to safely drive or operate vehicles, equipment, machines and tools. Establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with employees, contractors, other departments/agencies, City officials, and the general public. Candidates must have the ability to read, write and use a computer for basic functions and the ability to perform strenuous tasks including but not limited to pushing, lifting, digging and manipulating often while reaching or bending in limited space.
Desired Certificates and Preferred Qualifications:
- The candidate must exemplify customer service guidelines established by the Park & Recreation Department
- Candidate must possess sustainable practices and have water conservation knowledge.
- Basic understanding of maintaining turf grass & irrigation.
- General knowledge of athletic field, facility, natural areas & park maintenance.
- General knowledge of water feature maintenance.
Requirements:
- Candidates must possess a valid Oregon Driver's License and may be asked to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
- Positions in this classification will be required to obtain a Public Pesticide Applicators License.
- Additional licensing may be required.
- Must be able to perform work in inclement weather; work 'on call' and varying shifts; and work cooperatively with other employees. Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of a Physical Capacity Exam (PCE).
- This position is subject to mandatory participation in electronic funds transfer (EFT) for payment of net wages (i.e., Direct Deposit or Pay Card).
For a complete list of the essential duties, knowledge, skills and abilities required, and physical and mental demands please review the complete job description (Download PDF reader).
Supplemental Information
Annual Pay range: $58,075 - $74,134
Non-cash compensation includes medical, dental, vision, PERS employee pick up, and VEBA contribution.
Bilingual Pay: Employees who can speak and/or write a language listed in the top five (5) most common languages spoken in the Lake Oswego School District, may be eligible for three percent (3%) bilingual pay.
Application Process: You may visit our web site at www.ci.oswego.or.us to access the online application process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application. The City application must be submitted to by: 5:00 P.M. Friday, April 25, 2025
PO Box 369
Lake Oswego, Oregon, 97034
503.635.0220
The Position
The Parks Specialist in this position performs a variety of duties related to the maintenance, operation and servicing of City parks as a part of a team. This position is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual with knowledge of general parks landscape, turf, facility and irrigation maintenance to serve in a passionate, innovative community. This position is represented by the Lake Oswego Municipal Employees' Association.
The Department: The Parks Division of the Parks and Recreation Department manages the land and physical facilities of the parks system. The 650 acres of City-owned land includes: developed park sites, playgrounds, natural areas, special facility areas, 14 acres of athletic fields and golf course. Ongoing task vary from landscape bed maintenance, mowing, irrigation repair, restroom maintenance, facility cleaning and repair and equipment operation. This division also supports and set up for many community events such as the Farmers Market, summer concerts, Festival of the Arts, park dedication ceremonies, tree lighting and many more.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high level of landscape, facility and turf care of our parks.
- Clean and service park facilities. This includes but is not limited to: trash and litter clean-up, restroom cleaning, repair or replacement of park amenities (benches, fencing, fountains), and event preparation of city facilities and natural areas.
- Additional specialty projects and related duties of a similar scope and nature as assigned.
- The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the principals and practices of repair, maintenance, construction and installation used in parks systems. Must also be able to read and understand maps, plans, drawings, orders and/or other documents as required.
- Carry out all assigned work in a safe and responsible manner; comply with safety requirements and regulations; identify and abstain from participating in unsafe work environments. Read and review safety material, training documentation, SDS, instructional materials, and traffic signs.
Education and Experience Requirements
Qualified candidates must be able to safely drive or operate vehicles, equipment, machines and tools. Establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with employees, contractors, other departments/agencies, City officials, and the general public. Candidates must have the ability to read, write and use a computer for basic functions and the ability to perform strenuous tasks including but not limited to pushing, lifting, digging and manipulating often while reaching or bending in limited space.
Desired Certificates and Preferred Qualifications:
- The candidate must exemplify customer service guidelines established by the Park & Recreation Department
- Candidate must possess sustainable practices and have water conservation knowledge.
- Basic understanding of maintaining turf grass & irrigation.
- General knowledge of athletic field, facility, natural areas & park maintenance.
- General knowledge of water feature maintenance.
Requirements:
- Candidates must possess a valid Oregon Driver's License and may be asked to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
- Positions in this classification will be required to obtain a Public Pesticide Applicators License.
- Additional licensing may be required.
- Must be able to perform work in inclement weather; work 'on call' and varying shifts; and work cooperatively with other employees. Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of a Physical Capacity Exam (PCE).
- This position is subject to mandatory participation in electronic funds transfer (EFT) for payment of net wages (i.e., Direct Deposit or Pay Card).
For a complete list of the essential duties, knowledge, skills and abilities required, and physical and mental demands please review the complete job description (Download PDF reader).
Supplemental Information
Annual Pay range: $58,075 - $74,134
Non-cash compensation includes medical, dental, vision, PERS employee pick up, and VEBA contribution.
Bilingual Pay: Employees who can speak and/or write a language listed in the top five (5) most common languages spoken in the Lake Oswego School District, may be eligible for three percent (3%) bilingual pay.
Application Process: You may visit our web site at www.ci.oswego.or.us to access the online application process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application. The City application must be submitted to by: 5:00 P.M. Friday, April 25, 2025
AFSCME / Lake Oswego Municipal Employees' Association (LOMEA)
The following material is a brief summary of each benefit and does not replace or supersede any provisions of the insurance contracts.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
You may choose between a traditional indemnity plan or a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan. Coverage includes you and your dependents. Each plan includes a vision and prescription drug benefit.
Under the indemnity plan, Aetna Medical, once the participating provider out-of-pocket limit has been met, this plan will pay 100% of covered charges for participating and network not available providers. If you select Aetna Medical, your vision benefit will be provided by VSP Well Vision.
The HMO plan, Kaiser Permanente, guarantees delivery of necessary health services, which is provided exclusively by their own providers.
DENTAL INSURANCE
The City provides a choice of comprehensive coverage through Moda Health (Delta Dental) and Kaiser Permanente. With your choice, you will have access to a plan that includes preventive, routine and major dental care, as well as orthodontic benefits (for child dependents only).
LIFE INSURANCE
The City pays for your basic life insurance in the amount of $50,000, and accidental death and dismemberment in the amount of $50,000. You can choose to purchase supplemental life insurance for you and/or your spouse in increments of $10,000. You may also purchase life insurance in the amount of $2,000 for each eligible dependent at minimal cost. (Standard Life Insurance Company).
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
The City provides you with a long-term disability (LTD) insurance plan which guarantees that you will receive 60% of your salary, up to $4,000, following a 90-day waiting period. (Standard Life Insurance Company).
WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE
You are provided workers' compensation insurance in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (PERS)
The City of Lake Oswego is a member of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Benefits paid by PERS are funded from two sources:
- member contributions* paid on your behalf by the City; and
- employer contributions*.
You become vested with PERS when contributions have been made in each of five calendar years.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
You and your family can receive up to six (6) free confidential counseling sessions per incident per year, as well as other benefits, such as free legal consultation and first time home owner assistance. EAP coverage is provided by uprisehealth.
VOLUNTARY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ACCOUNT (VEBA)
The City has established a Voluntary Employee Benefits Account (VEBA) to be used for medical expenses pre and post retirement. The City will contribute a dollar amount into your account as specified with the terms of the LOMEA collective bargaining agreement as authorized by IRS Code 501(c)(9). Additional information available in Human Resources.
OPTIONAL BENEFITS
Deferred Compensation – The City offers a deferred compensation plan through MissionSquare Retirement. Your participation in this plan is voluntary, and you will need to make the contributions to the plan(s).
Flexible Spending Account – The City offers a Flexible Spending Account Program after your have been employed with the City for six months. FSA’s allow eligible employees to pay for non-covered health related expenses and child care expenses with tax-free income. In addition, you may use the FSA Premium Only Account to help cover the cost of your portion of the City’s medical and dental insurance premiums. You do not need to wait six months to participate in the premium only portion.
HOLIDAYS
The City of Lake Oswego recognizes the following paid holidays during the calendar year.
1. Four hours New Years Eve*
2 New Year's Day
3. Martin Luther King's Birthday
4. President’s Day
5. Independence Day
6. Labor Day
7. Memorial Day
8. Veteran's Day
9. Thanksgiving Day
10. The Friday Following Thanksgiving Day
11. Four Hours Christmas Eve*
12. Christmas Day
13. Personal Holiday
14. Juneteenth
- When Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve falls on Monday through Friday. Employees who are scheduled to work during the ½ day holiday shall be credited with four (4) hours of Holiday Pay.
VACATION
Paid vacation time accrues on a yearly basis as follows:
0-3 years: 12 days (8 hrs per month)
4-9 years 16.5 days (11 hrs per month)
10-15 years 21.5 days (14.33 hrs per month)
16-19 years 23.5 days (15.66 hrs per month)
20 25 days (16.67 hrs per month)
Vacation may be accrued to a maximum of two years with the approval of your supervisor.
SICK LEAVE
Sick leave accrues on a monthly basis at a rate of eight hours per each month worked. Sick leave may be used when you are unable to work due to illness or injury, or to attend a member of the immediate family when they are sick or injured. (Immediate family is defined as spouse, children, mother, father, sister, brother, or other relative residing in your household. Sick leave may be accumulated to 135 days. Anything over 135 days will be transferred to employees VEBA account.
Salary : $58,075 - $74,134