Parks Grounds Specialist (Mowing Unit/Parks and Recreation Department)

Job Description:

Parks Grounds Specialist (Mowing Unit/Parks and Recreation Department)

Description

Minimum Qualifications
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 perform specialized maintenance, servicing, construction and grounds keeping tasks on City of Austin park grounds.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Perform minor and major repairs, and general concrete work.
• Perform park grounds maintenance tasks such as mowing, trimming and blowing of lose debris.
• Operates department maintenance equipment, and hand tools.
• Performs safety inspections and addresses deficits.
• Drives City of Austin service vehicles.
• Removes graffiti or paint.
• Assist the general public with questions/concerns.
• Other tasks include stump, grinding, park leveling, servicing special events, tree trimming, and other duties as assigned.

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.
• Driving Requirement: This position requires a valid Texas Class “C” Operator’s License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. 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.
• 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.
• 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:

• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you will drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• 90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: 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.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All 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:

Variable - 40 hrs. per week schedule

• Monday through Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Occasional Evenings, Weekends, & Holidays may be required.
• May be required to work during special events outside the normal hours for programming needs.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 12/30/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia, Austin, TX 78702 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Work experience using a commercial mower (Toro 5900, 4000).
• Work experience using commercial grounds zero-turn mower.
• Work experience driving a truck and trailer combination.
• Work experience using grounds maintenance equipment such as blower, trimmer, chain saw, stump grinder, wood-chipper, and tractor.
• Work experience performing preventative and mechanical maintenance on mowing equipment.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic to intermediate competency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Others:

• 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.

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

Responsibilities- Supervision 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
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 (*).
* This position requires graduation from 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 the minimum qualifications for this position?

• Yes
• No

* In reviewing the preferred qualifications section of this job posting, please describe in 500 words or less how you meet those preferred qualifications.
(Open Ended Question)
* As related to this position, describe your experience in the practices and standard operating procedures of mowing and landscaping in municipal park grounds/park like settings.
(Open Ended Question)
* Which of the following best describes your proficiency with Microsoft Excel?

• Basic: create/edit simple spreadsheets, sort data, enter formulas
• Intermediate: create/edit spreadsheets, create charts/graphs from spreadsheet data, hide and unhide rows/columns, use basic functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT
• Advanced: develop complex spreadsheets, create charts/graphs/tables, import data from external databases, use AutoFilter to analyze data, use complex functions/formulas for math & logic equations
• Limited or no MS Excel experience, but proficiency with another spreadsheet application such as Lotus 1-2-3 or Apple Numbers
• No experience with Microsoft Excel

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver license. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver license or, if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire one by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* 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?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. 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 Check.

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents