Grounds Maintenance Specialist

Summary

**Open until filled with a first review date of February 18, 2025**

**This position is in the Parks & Recreation Department and needs availability for various shifts (Day: 6:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. / Night: 2:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m.). In the supplemental questions of the application, you will be asked to specify the shift(s) you are available to work.**

Are you looking to join a team that values Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, and Responsiveness? Do you want to be a part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities? Then this might be the opportunity for you!

We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as a Grounds Maintenance Specialist working with the Department of Parks & Recreation. The ideal candidate for this recruitment will carry out prioritized park landscaping, maintenance and improvement projects along with a variety of additional assignments.

Under basic supervision, repairs, maintains, and develops parks, retention basins, roadsides, buildings, playgrounds, golf course, infrastructure, and other landscaped areas in City facilities, parks and streets.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled grounds maintenance tasks at City facilities, parks, roadsides and landscaped areas; duties may vary according to job assignment and individual skills.
• Maintains and repairs parks, basins, parkways, medians, trees, recreational and park facilities, and other landscaped areas at the City's parks, streets and related infrastructure; mows grounds and sports fields, trims trees and bushes, removes litter and debris, and repairs concrete and park facilities.
• Performs maintenance and repairs within scope of authority and training, and in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures; notifies supervisor of safety hazards, equipment problems and emergency situations; performs traffic control activities as directed.
• Transports and operates power tools and other grounds maintenance and construction equipment; maintains and improves grounds and City facilities; cleans up spills and unsafe conditions in a timely manner and according to procedures.
• Sets up and tears down equipment and facilities for special events; sets up sports facilities and adjacent areas for tournaments, league play and sporting events.
• Identifies, corrects, and reports grounds maintenance, landscaping, infrastructure, and horticultural problems.
• Inspects and identifies problems with irrigation and sprinkling systems, pipelines and fountains, framing and concrete work, facilities and maintenance equipment; installs, adjusts, repairs and maintains irrigation and control systems.
• Applies herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals.
• Follows and enforces all safety rules and regulations to minimize risk of accidents and enhance safety of the work zones and facilities; assists with training staff on work skills and safety standards.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

High School Diploma or GED equivalent; AND two years' experience in grounds and landscaping maintenance or construction; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• City safety rules and regulations, occupational hazards and safety precautions.
• Methods, tools and equipment used in streets, parks, facilities and grounds maintenance.
• Proper use and storage of hazardous chemicals used in the workplace.
• Techniques of traffic control in hazardous roadway environments.
• City geography, traffic patterns, streets, landmarks and facility locations.

Skill in:

• Operating and maintaining tools and equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Methods and procedures for framing.
• Techniques for concrete work and related repairs.
• Identifying mechanical problems and making basic adjustments and repairs to tools and equipment.
• Identifying plants, pests, agronomy diseases, and unsafe conditions.
• Troubleshooting repairs on water and irrigation systems and equipment.
• Establishing and maintaining safe work zones in public spaces and roadways.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with co-workers.
• Following oral and written instructions and procedures.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required. Pesticide Applicator license is required within six months of hire. A Commercial Driver's License may be required. Must be able to pass Arizona Department of Corrections background check. Additional technical training and certifications may be required for some incumbents.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed indoors and outdoors at work sites throughout the City; required to perform skilled technical repair and maintenance work. May be required to bend, reach, stoop, and lift objects; may be exposed to safety hazards and dangerous tools and equipment; safety precautions must be followed, including use of safety equipment.