Park Worker - Grounds Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cobwa/jobs/newprint/4554632) Apply Park Worker - Grounds Salary$23.08 HourlyLocation City of Bellingham, WAJob TypeFull TimeJob Number24-Park Worker-GroundsDepartmentParks and RecreationDivisionPark OperationsOpening Date06/28/2024Closing Date7/15/2024 4:30 PM PacificFLSANon-ExemptBargaining Unit Local 1937
Description
Benefits
Questions
Nature of WorkDo you have paid experience in grounds maintenance? Join our Parks and Recreation team today and help us preserve and grow our community parks! The City currently has 2 vacancies in Parks / Grounds Maintenance.This is an entry-level parks/cemetery/athletic fields maintenance position whose specific duties depend upon program area assigned. Primary work programs include grounds maintenance activities such as construction and maintenance of trails and trail structures, equipment operation, mowing, trimming, edging and irrigation of turf areas and pruning, planting, fertilizing, spraying and irrigation of trees and shrubs. Additional activities centered in the cemetery include assistance with all burial services, burial setups, marker installation and maintenance as well as maintenance and repair of sunken graves. Activities centered in the athletic fields include maintenance of athletic fields and facilities, athletic field preparation and general maintenance of Civic Field complex. Activities centered in park facilities include facility and grounds maintenance, as well as customer contact and assisting with the preparation for events and activities. Secondary work programs include sanitation, water systems, mechanical systems, structures and surfaces.This position will start at Step 1 ($23.08/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement (https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule) and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $23.08 - $28.38. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (https://www.drs.wa.gov/) pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:
Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org) (https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule)
Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
Closing Date/Time: Mon. 7/15/24 4:30 PM Pacific TimeESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Employees in this classification typically perform work in the following areas depending upon seasonal and ongoing work needs. Specific duties and program assignments may change from day-to-day depending upon Department needs. The work activities are not all inclusive and other work may be assigned as necessary.A. Park / Grounds Maintenance:
Performs as lead position of assigned seasonal staff. Provides training for each work activity area, and provides feedback to Park Specialist regarding performance of assigned seasonal staff.
Operates a variety of turf maintenance equipment including riding mowers, blowers, and trailer vacuum. Operates a variety of power hand equipment such as hand mowers, line trimmers, edgers and chainsaws. Does regular cleaning and minor maintenance of tools and equipment.
Operates automotive equipment such as pickup trucks with trailer attachments, up to and including 5 yard dump trucks to haul dirt, gravel, etc., and as needed, small (under 30 HP) tractors with 3-point attachments (Category 1 & 2) and small backhoes.
Assists in the construction of trails and trail structures to include sub grades, surfacing, drainage, bridges, elevated walks, steps, retaining walls, signage and re-vegetation. Performs trail repairs and installs, cleans, and maintains drainage systems and culverts for trails.
Prunes or removes trees and shrubs using pruners, loppers, bow saws and power chain saws. Operates motor driven chipper equipment to shred woody debris.
Performs turf repairs, renovations and installations. Plants, fertilizes and irrigates turf, trees and shrubs as directed. Maintains shrub bed areas through edging, hand weeding and application of mulch and maintains plants and flower displays. Rakes and blows leaves and debris. Operates small dump trucks and other automotive equipment to remove material.
Completes required reports for tree work, pesticide application and accidents and hazards.
Upon receipt of a Washington State Pesticide Application License, apply herbicides as part of grounds care duties.
B. Cemetery Maintenance:
Performs all essential functions under Grounds Maintenance.
Assists Cemetery Technician in grave opening and closing duties including occasional use of back hoe, installation of liner and lowering device.
Sets up tents, chairs and greens for funeral services.
Assists in installation and repair of markers and memorials. Repairs sunken graves as necessary.
Assists funeral home directors and families as necessary.
C. Athletic Fields:
Performs all essential functions under Grounds Maintenance.
Performs daily field preparation for field activities.
Sets up P.A. system and any other special requirements for events. May assist with heating and lighting systems. Performs attendant duties for events at the Civic Field Complex.
Answers inquiries and informs the public of park regulations.
D. Park Facilities Maintenance:
Performs all essential functions under Grounds Maintenance.
Cleans restrooms, empties trash containers, picks up litter, cleans park furniture such as picnic tables, benches, and grills, and cleans surfaces such as tennis courts, sidewalks, roads, parking areas, and shelter floors. Responds to and cleans up spills and sanitary hazards using appropriate infection control materials and techniques. Uses cleaning chemicals and solutions.
Answers inquiries and informs the public of park regulations. Resolves low level concerns and safety issues, such as questions around reservations, toilets overflowing, trash removal, missing items, and graffiti. Reports higher level issues to appropriate staff. Acts immediately to address inappropriate behaviors by contacting appropriate staff, law enforcement or other emergency personnel as appropriate.
Performs start-of-day and end-of-day security procedures in park system as assigned, such as unlocking and locking facilities, and turning on and off lights.
Assists in preparing community park facilities for scheduled events and activities. Sets up signage, cordons off areas, and provides direction to appropriate parking. Cleans as needed during and after events, removing trash, monitoring restrooms, and stocking supplies.
Inspects grounds, equipment, and buildings on a daily basis. Reports damage to the Park Specialist - Facilities using the maintenance management system. Uses standardized assessment form to report condition of playground equipment on a monthly basis to the Park Specialist – Facilities.
Operates a variety of facilities maintenance equipment including trucks, pressure washers, floor cleaning equipment, blowers, and trailers. Operates a variety of power hand equipment such as drills, reciprocating saws, and cleaning equipment. Performs regular cleaning and minor maintenance of equipment.
Assists with repair, alteration and installation work to park buildings, structures and equipment involving carpentry, painting, masonry and other manual building trade skills.
ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
Operates and maintains manual irrigation systems as required. Maintains drainage systems.
Performs related duties as assigned, within the scope of the classification.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions, some of the time in remote work sites. The work involves a moderate risk work environment which requires employees to follow established safety procedures in operating equipment and vehicles, handling irritant materials, performing repetitive activities, etc. Employees are required to wear personal protective equipment.Physical abilities to perform assigned work:
Ability to perform heavy physical labor including operating mechanical equipment for extended periods of time, climbing and working from ladders and setting up tents.
Ability to perform tasks requiring repetitive hand and arm movements.
Adequate hearing, correctable vision, and manual dexterity to operate power equipment safely in a noisy work environment.
Ability to work overhead for extended periods of time.
Ability to regularly lift moderately heavy objects up to 50 lbs., including small equipment, fertilizer and related materials. Ability to occasionally lift up to 60 lbs. Equipment and materials in excess of this weight are lifted utilizing proper body mechanics and assistance.
Experience and Training
Minimum one year paid grounds maintenance experience required.
Experience in facility maintenance preferred.
Previous training and education in horticulture and native plants preferred.
Knowledge of horticulture equipment operation preferred.
Skills and experience in the digging operation of a small backhoe preferred.
Experience working with the public preferred.
At least 18 years old by time of hire.
Necessary Special Requirements
Employment contingent upon passing criminal convictions check and child and vulnerable adult abuse records check (See Fair Hiring Practices).
Valid Washington State Driver’s License by time of hire and proof of a good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire.
Some positions within this classification require the ability to secure and maintain a Washington State pesticide license within twelve months of hire.
Ability to secure and maintain valid First Aid and CPR certifications within twelve months of hire.
Some positions within this classification require the ability to secure flagging and traffic control card within twelve months of hire.
Some positions within this classification require the ability to secure a Commercial Driver's License within six months of hire and to maintain a valid CDL during length of employment.
Selection ProcessYou are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves alongPlease ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training. Application Review Process:
Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around July 16, 2024.
If there are nine (9) or more qualified candidates;
Applications will go through an Application Review. Relevancy of your experience and training, together with composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered when evaluating responses. Applicant status will be updated on or around July 24, 2024.
The top eight (8) scoring applicants from the Application Review will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for August 7, 2024.
If eight (8) or less candidates meet the minimum qualifications, all will be invited to the Oral Board Interviews, tentatively scheduled for the August 7, 2024.
Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following:
If there are nine (9) or more applicants that meet minimum qualifications, the Application Review will be 30% of overall score and Oral Board Interview will be 70% of overall score. Candidates must achieve at least 60% passing score on the oral board to be placed on the eligibility list.
If there are eight (8) or less applicants. The Oral Board Interview will be 100% of overall score. Candidates must achieve at least 60% passing score on the Oral Board Interview to be placed on the eligibility list.
Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There are currently 2 full-time vacancy in Parks and Recreation - Operations. This position is represented by a union. If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form (https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/COB-Veterans-Scoring-Criteria-Declaration-PDF.pdf) and upload it to your application with your DD214.Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.Equal Opportunity:Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.Fair Hiring Practices
The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.
There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our benefits section (https://www.cob.org/employment/pages/benefits.aspx) for additional information.This position is represented by The Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the Local 1937 labor agreement (https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/1937-2022-2023-CBA.pdf) .This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website (http://www.drs.wa.gov/) for more information on PERS.Civil Service InformationThis position is subject to the Bellingham Civil Service Commission. When a vacancy occurs, the top fifteen candidates or the top 25% of the register will be forwarded to the department for further consideration. All new Civil Service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period. A candidate may challenge the scope, content, or method of an examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days following the date of the challenged examination. A candidate may also challenge the scoring of an examination or test, failure of the candidate on any part of an examination, or clerical error in examination results of any examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days of notification of the challenged result. The Examiner shall consider all timely filed protests and make appropriate corrections if an error is demonstrated.Veteran's Scoring CriteriaApplicants who have been honorably discharged from active military duty may be eligible to receive veteran's scoring criteria points as provided by Washington State Law (RCW 41.04.010). If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form (https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/COB-Veterans-Scoring-Criteria-Declaration-PDF.pdf) and upload it to your application with your DD214.01 Do you have valid CPR and First Aid certifications or the ability to secure certification within 12 months of hire?
Yes
No
02
Do you have or are you willing to obtain a Washington State drivers license and provide a 3-year driving history prior to hire?
Yes
No
03
Are you at least 18 years of age or older?
Yes
No
04
Do you have a minimum of one-year paid grounds maintenance experience? (Experience must be reflected in Work Experience in Application.)
Yes
No
05
Are you willing and able to secure and maintain the following certifications if required by the position? (selecting "No" will not disqualify you for this recruitment.)
Washington State pesticide license within twelve months of hire.
Flagging and traffic control card within twelve months of hire.
Commercial Driver's License within six months of hire and to maintain a valid CDL during length of employment.
Yes
No
06
Please describe, in detail, your grounds maintenance experience, including turf care, horticulture experience, tree maintenance, and what equipment you have operated.
Required Question
AgencyCity of BellinghamAddress104 West Magnolia Street Bellingham, Washington, 98225 Phone360-778-8228 Websitehttp://www.cob.org/employment Apply Please verify your email address Verify Email