Grounds Worker I

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt Full-Time/Part-Time Seasonal Position Grounds Worker I Description

Class Title: Parks Grounds Worker I

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Job Class: Rate $20.00

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Date: January 1, 2026

This is a recurring 6-month seasonal position within the Parks Division of the department not to exceed 1,456 hours in a calendar year. The schedule is a 40-hour work week that includes a non-standard work week that may include a flexible schedule to include weekends and evenings. Overtime is paid after 40 hours.

This is a skilled and semi-skilled position responsible for the daily and routine maintenance of city parks, school grounds, athletic facilities, municipal grounds, municipal recreation facilities/buildings and the urban forest. The work performed requires knowledge and experience in turf management and landscape practices.

SUPERVISON RECEIVED

Direct supervision is received from the Parks Foreman and other Full-Time Parks Staff. Considerable independent judgment is exercised while completing daily assignments.

COMPETENCIES: Team Player; Safety-Conscious; Dependable; Task-Oriented

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plants and trims lawns, trees, bushes, hedges, and shrubs using commercial equipment, hand and power tools.
• Landscapes new ground areas, repairs damaged ground areas, replaces bushes, hedges, shrubs, and trees.
• Is responsible for daily and routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment, including vehicles, commercial mowing equipment, tractors, trailers, snowplows ,Ground and minor equipment.
• Care for landscaped and athletic field areas by watering, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, routine maintenance, and controlling weeds.
• Is responsible for assisting in the turf management program to include routine and restoration maintenance of athletic fields.
• Perform seasonal grounds keeping and recreational support duties as required.
• The work schedule for this position is routinely a standard work week but can include a flexible schedule to include weekend and evening hours.
• May include outside winter work in the maintenance of ice rink, trails and other winter recreation venues.
• Performs related work as required for the effective operation of the department
• l. May supervises seasonal employees and volunteers under the Parks Division of the department performing routine tasks.
• Various building and facility maintenance tasks to include light construction projects.
• Assists in the set up/take down of equipment for special events.
• Maintains, repairs and constructs outdoor areas, i.e. cement, fences, light carpentry, playgrounds.
• Prepares athletic fields and parks for events.
• Participates in the City-wideemergency response programs; the Grounds Worker must be available in the event of emergency situations to assist in coordinating restoration of services and clean-up activities.

Position Requirements

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Equipment operated includes but not limited to power and hand tools, chain saws, various landscape, turf management and tree care equipment, compact utility tractor with loader, backhoe and implements, truck with boom bucket, and snow removal equipment.

MANDATORY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

The candidate for this position should have a High School diploma or equivalent. Posses a minimum of three (3) year.; experience performing commercial parks, athletic turf management, or tree care maintenance activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to operate and maintain equipment including, but not limited to vehicles, commercial turf mowers, tractors, and chain saws.
• Possess knowledge of turf management practices to recognize possible problems.
• Considerable knowledge and methods of commercial landscaping practices and plant care.
• Considerable knowledge ofuse and care of motorized equipment and hand/power tools used in grounds maintenance.
• Considerable knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to grounds keeping and maintenance work.
• Considerable knowledge of cultivation, weed control, seeding, and planting of trees, shrubs, athletic turf and flower
• beds.
• Ability to recognize and report back to the foreman, common plant and turf diseases and insect pests.
• Detail oriented, with considerable attention to order and potential hazards in public landscapes and athletic fields.
• Ability to follow oral instructions and read written instructions.
• I 0. Ability to use hand tools, including electronic equipment, and operate motorized equipment and vehicles such as cars, trucks or tractors and implements.
• Requires speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes issuing and receiving
• assignments, instructions, and/or directions.
• Good interpersonal skills; the ability to deal effectively with the general public, children of various ages, as well as coworkers and other municipal employees.
• The ability to complete several tasks in decentralized areas.
• The ability to recognize need for equipment repairs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential fw1ctions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perfom1 the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 80lbs. Requires full range of body motion, to include bending at waist and full use of all extremities and back muscles. Requires excellent levels of equilibrium when positioned on slippery, uneven, or wet surfaces. Possess accurate depth perception, as well as near/far vision of 20/40, uncorrected or corrected and the ability to distinguish colors. Ability to hear within three feet and on the telephone. Possess fine motor dexterity in both hands.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while perfonning the essential duties and functions of this job. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit, stand, talk and hear, walk various sites including rough and uneven surfaces, work outdoors, and work in inclement and severe weather. Position involves ascending and descending ladders, stairs ramps, etc. The employee works in a variety of settings and is frequently around children of all ages. The noise level in the work environment can be extremely noisy when parks' equipment is being used. Additional occupational risks may be present as related to chemicals from supplies, operation of equipment, and completing maintenance activities in commercial parks, athletic turf management, and tree care. The employee works in a variety of settings and is frequently around children of all ages. Safety toed work boots constructed of sturdy leatherand at least 6" high that comply with ANSI Z4 l -199 l are required to be worn on specific jobs.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, ratingof education andexperience;oral interviewandreference check;job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be perfonned. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This jobdescription does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Saco is strong committed to diversity in its work force. We are an affirmative action/ equal employment opportunity employer.

Education and Experience Close Date EOE Statement The City of Saco is strongly committed to diversity in its work force. We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, veteran or disability status, religion, age, gender orientation or other protected status. Category Parks and Recreation