Grounds Specialist

Our Mission: To enhance the quality of life by providing parks and recreation opportunities for our community.

Our Vision: To be a leader promoting health and well-being in a thriving community.

Our Values:

Stewardship- We care about people and places.

Inspiration- We create high-quality, meaningful, and innovative experiences that spark joy in our community.

Responsibility- We foster a culture of trust and accountability.

Collaboration- We work together in harmony to reach common goals through respect, inclusion, and teamwork.

Integrity- Our values are evident in our choices, practices, and conduct.

The full salary range for this position is posted. New hires typically start between the minimum and market within the salary range. PenMet Parks may offer a slightly higher salary based on experience, internal equity, and factors impacting the market.

• Performs assigned work required to sustain a comprehensive maintenance and operations program and meet identified level of service requirements for all District physical assets, including but not limited to parks, properties, athletic fields and courts, structures, equipment, facilities, and infrastructure.
• Inspects physical spaces and takes corrective action as assigned to ensure conditions meet or exceed expected level of service and comply with applicable jurisdictional requirements.
• Performs assigned maintenance tasks, including but not limited to turf care, mowing, trimming, tree and shrub care, playground maintenance, sport court maintenance, litter, trash, and debris removal, athletic field preparation, and safety evaluations of park facilities.
• Performs assigned custodial and other activities required to operate parks and properties.

• Ensures that vehicles, tools, and equipment are maintained in a clean, safe, and proper working condition.
• Practices proper, safe, and efficient work methods. Performs clean-up activities to leave premises clean and safe.
• Supports all District programs and special events as assigned.
• Takes responsibility and ownership for accomplishing work, delivering results, and meeting the organization’s objectives.
• Supports an inclusive work environment that respects diverse ideas, backgrounds, and styles.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Valid First Aid certificate issued by an authorized agency (required).
• Washington State Public Pesticide Applicator’s license, or ability to obtain license (preferred).
• Certified playground Safety Inspector, or ability to obtain certification (preferred).

• Demonstrates active interest and ability to maintain level of knowledge and enhance and apply new functional skills.
• Possesses technical knowledge of some of the following: grounds, athletic courts and fields, park elements, forest management, infrastructure, turf management, soil management, general landscaping techniques, plant identification, irrigation systems, fertilizer, and pesticides.
• Effectively operates large truck and towing combinations and properly secures and stores loads for travel.
• Basic knowledge of current federal, state, and local regulations that impact maintenance and safety operations.
• Takes initiative with minimal supervision.
• Assesses and evaluates situations quickly and effectively troubleshoots maintenance and operational issues as they occur.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service to a broad range of participants and constituents.
• Works cooperatively and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues, the Board of Park Commissioners, contractors, partners, and the public.
• Possesses technical knowledge of maintenance, operations, custodial, and safety programs.
• Operates a variety of light and heavy equipment safely and effectively.
• Adapts to a changing and fast paced environment.
• Possesses skills to read and apply construction plans and specifications.
• Completes multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Possesses strong written, listening, and verbal communication skills.

• Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Some work will be performed in rugged field settings with exposure to varying environmental and weather conditions.
• The position will operate equipment and use hand and power tools.
• The position will require lifting up to 50 pounds.
• The position will require walking, bending, standing, carrying, pulling, crawling, crouching, and other physical work.
• Some local traveling will be required for visiting District facilities.
• Valid Washington driver’s license (required).
• The position may require an irregular schedule that includes evenings and weekends.
• The position will occasionally be required to be on call.