Grounds Foreman, HARD (Promotional)

THIS IS A NEW PROMOTIONAL ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.  Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

You must be a current Hayward Area Recreational and Park District employee to apply!

THE DISTRICT  

The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District is an independent special use district providing park and recreation services to over 250,000 residents living within a 64 square mile area which includes the City of Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, and the unincorporated Ashland, Cherryland and Fairview districts.  The Park District known locally as "H.A.R.D." is the largest recreation district in the state of California.  Since it's creation in 1944, the District has provided residents with many beautiful facilities and parks, as well as hundreds of educational and recreational classes and programs.  The mission of the Park District is improving the quality of life for citizens of all ages by providing a variety of recreational activities, special events, facilities and services that encourage life-long learning, fitness and fun.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, to serve as a first-line working supervisor of a crew of grounds personnel; to care for and maintain recreation grounds or park areas and to keep the buildings and equipment thereon clean and attractive; and to do related work as required.

Grounds Foremen receive their assignments from the Park Supervisor. They are first-line supervisors over a crew of Park Maintenance Workers or related grounds personnel who are assigned to them on an area basis. The Grounds Foreman and his crew care for lawns, trees, plants, and shrubs in a recreation or park area and they also may do indoor janitorial and general utility maintenance work on assignment or emergency basis. Grounds Foremen ordinarily perform plant, tree, grass, and shrub care that at times require extensive knowledge or a special skill. Grounds Foremen differ from the next lower class, Park Maintenance Worker, by having on-going supervisory responsibility. Grounds Foremen differs from the next higher class, Park Supervisor, by this position having responsibility for supervising the operation of the Grounds Division.

A combination of training and experience which demonstrates that a person has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the required work (with reasonable accommodation, if needed). A person with the following combined training and experience would typically qualify to compete in a selection process:

Experience:
The equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience in the class of Park Maintenance Worker or in an equivalent or higher level grounds care class in the HARD service.

OR

Experience:
The equivalent of two (2) years of full time experience in grounds maintenance work.

License: Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and a good driving record.

Valid Pesticide Qualified Applicators Certificate (QAC) or acquire a QAC within 6 months of employment.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge, skills and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:
• Soil preparation and enrichment
• Methods and techniques of planting, transplanting, cultivating, pruning and maintaining a variety of lawns, ground covers, plants, shrubs, hedges and trees.
• The methods, chemicals and equipment used to control weeds, insects and plant diseases.
• Landscape maintenance, right-aways, and path enclosures, application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, the care and minor maintenance of commonly used hand and power tools
• Safe work methods and safety regulations pertaining to the work.
• The installation and maintenance of irrigation systems and appropriate USDA laws and regulations.
• Principles and practices of effective supervision.
• The use of garden tools and equipment; operating power equipment and various motor vehicles skillfully and safely.
• Recognizing common plant diseases and insect pests.
• Performing mathematical computations which include areas and proportions.
• Estimating labor and material needs.
• Reading planting diagrams.
• Data entry and use of various computer programs.

Ability to:
• Plan, schedule, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of others.
• Train others in efficient and safe work methods and related safe regulations.
• Keep records and make oral and written reports.
• Inspect property sites and develop and revise scheduling priorities based on plant growth, seasonal variations and unusual conditions.
• Estimate labor, materials, and equipment needs
• Answer inquiries and resolve complaints from the public in a tactful and effective manner.
• Use sound independent judgment and initiative in daily work activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Exhibit a high customer service priority.
• Establish and maintain open and honest communications with co-workers at all levels of the organization.
• Within CALOSHA guidelines, withstand periods of physical exposure to the presence of fumes, odors, dust and pollen without incapacitating adverse effect.
• Safely transport, lift and handle bulky objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1. A review of candidates' application to verify possession of minimum requirements.  Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
2. A performance component that will be weighted at 100% of the final examination score.
3. Candidates must attain a qualifying rating of each portion of this examination.  WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

 TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

 Deadline for Filing:                                 February 16, 2016

Review of Minimum Qualifications:      February 22, 2016  

Performance Examination:                     Week of March 7, 2016

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes. For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

BENEFITS FOR POSITIONS AT HAYWARD AREA RECREATION DEPARTMENT

• Ten (10) working days paid vacation each year; fifteen (15) days after five (5) years of service; and twenty (20) days after thirteen years of service.
• Fourteen (14) paid holidays a year.
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of one (1) day per month.
• Choice of three (3) health plans for employees and their dependents, most, if not all of which is paid for by the District.  The medical design plan offered to employees is a $15 HMO Plan or High Deductible PPO Plan.  Employees may elect coverage provided through one or two medical carriers, United Health Care HMO or PPO, Kaiser Permanente HMO.
• Comprehensive dental plan for employees and their dependents.
• Vision care reimbursement benefit.
• Social Security paid for by District and employee.
• Public Employees Retirement System, 2% at 62 for new hires; 2% at 60 for new employees hired after January 1, 2013 that are already members of CalPERS.
• Long Term Disability Plan paid by the District.
• Life insurance policy ($40,000) paid by the district
• Deferred Compensation Plan available, employee funded.
• Employee Credit Union services.
• Educational Tuition Reimbursement.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Post employment healthcare plan contribution 1.5% of base salary paid by the District.
• State Disability, employee funded.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Anna Montoya, Human Resources Analyst II
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
510-272-6459
www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer