Parks And Grounds Worker

This recruitment is for extra-help positions only. Employees in this position may be required to use inmate or probation workers for assistance and work one day on the weekends. 

Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to 999 hours (or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants) in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Applicants appointed from this eligible list may not transition to permanent status.

The Parks and Grounds Division of Facility Services is recruiting for extra-help workers to supplement the additional work required during the spring and summer months.  Primary tasks include mowing turf, weeding, edging, removing litter, watering plants, cleaning restrooms, and preparing ball fields and picnic areas for the public using the parks.  Additionally, workers may provide support to full-time staff on approved projects that require additional labor.

To perform grounds, gardening and landscaping duties in the maintenance of County parks, median areas, and lawn and garden areas around County buildings; to perform maintenance and repair of tools and equipment; and to perform routine maintenance and general construction related to parks facilities.

Maintenance Worker 
This is the entry level class in the Parks and Grounds Worker series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Parks and Grounds Worker 
This is the full journey level class within the Parks and Grounds Worker series.  This class is distinguished from the Maintenance Worker by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Parks and Grounds Worker in that the latter performs more technical and complex work and may exercise technical and functional supervision over maintenance personnel.

Parks and Grounds Worker
Receives general supervision from a Supervising Parks and Grounds Worker and may receive technical and functional supervision from management and supervisory staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plant, cultivate and irrigate lawns and flower beds; prepare soil for transplanting; mow and edge lawns; prune and trim trees, hedges, and shrubs; weed assigned areas, apply fertilizer, and mix and apply pesticides and herbicides; and install, maintain, and repair irrigation systems and components.
• Clear and rake grounds, playgrounds and playing fields; clean walks, parking lots, and storm drains; dispose of trimmings and other debris; dig trenches and post holes either manually or with mechanical assistance; clean and maintain trails; and maintain native vegetation.
• Inspect, service, repair and otherwise maintain various types of grounds equipment, including mowers, rototillers, edgers, hedge trimmers and other power driven and mechanical equipment.
• Perform routine carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work including repairing faucets, sinks, and toilets, framing, rough carpentry and painting, pouring concrete, and lighting and wiring in parks facilities.
• Perform daily sanitation duties and maintenance of parks rest rooms, campsites and picnic areas; perform minor playground equipment repair; accept and receipt parks fees and maintain appropriate records.
• May remove snow and ice on a seasonal basis.
• As a Maintenance Worker perform a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks in Parks and Grounds.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.  

Experience:  Two years of responsible experience performing duties similar to those of a Maintenance Worker assigned to the Parks and Grounds Division or to another County division in Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of a Qualified Applicator Certificate from California Department of Pesticide Regulation is desired.
• Possession of a valid Class A or B driver's license with air brakes and tanker endorsements may be required depending upon the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Maintenance Worker

Knowledge of:

• General use and purpose of materials, equipment, and methods used in parks and grounds maintenance.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand operations, and observe safety rules.  Intermittently analyze problem equipment; identify and locate equipment and tools; interpret work orders; remember equipment and tool location; and explain job to others.
• Intermittently, sit while completing work papers; walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist, and reach while operating equipment and performing grounds and maintenance work; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; regularly lift very heavy weight.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.

  Obtain information through interview and deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Work assigned shift.
• Use hand tools, rakes and shovels.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Parks and Grounds Worker

In addition to the qualifications for Maintenance Worker:

Knowledge of:

• Parks and grounds policies and procedures.
• Use and purpose of common materials, equipment and methods used in parks and grounds maintenance, including irrigation and sprinkler systems.
• Tools, equipment and methods used in semi-skilled building trades and construction work.

Ability to:

• Operate light trucks and related grounds equipment to prepare areas for landscaping or planting of lawns and debris removal.
• Operate sprayer, chainsaw, weedeater, tractor, leaf sweeper, chipper, forklift, and various hand and power tools.
• Service, repair, and adjust various mechanical and electrical groundskeeping equipment and tools.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.