GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER I

About the Department

NATURE OF POSITION

Perform a variety of grounds maintenance work to improve, expand, and maintain City parks, cemetery, and golf locations; plant, spray, fertilize, prune, irrigate and maintain lawns, plants, trees, shrubs and landscaped areas; clean and perform minor maintenance of equipment, buildings and other park features; and assist with other grounds maintenance projects.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Supervision is provided by the Park Maintenance Supervisor; general direction and oversight are provided by the Grounds Maintenance Worker III – Lead.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City’s core values:  Service - Integrity - Collaboration - Equity - Leadership - Community
2. Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals; actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
3. Perform skilled landscape, ballfield and golf course design and construction duties in a wide variety of park, cemetery, and golf locations; including but not limited to soil grading and preparation; irrigation installation; plant material installation, seed and sow grasses and flowers, and lay sod; place ground cover and rock; cut and install pavers.
4. Perform skilled landscape, ballfield and golf course maintenance duties including mowing, edging, raking, weeding, fertilizing, spraying, trimming and cutting down or transplanting trees and plants; aerate, top dress, overseed; thatch and sweep turf; prepare ballfields; drag fields, chalk and paint lines; coordinate and assist with playground equipment installation, repair, and maintenance. Employees with playground safety inspector’s certification will conduct inspections. 
5. Train and provide directions to assigned temporary and seasonal employees. 
6. Provide for the safe and efficient operation of landscape construction and maintenance tools and equipment as assigned, including but not limited to excavator, backhoe, tractor, snowplow, rototiller, aerator, sod cutter, chain saw, chipper, snow blower, casket hoist, small hand and power tools. 
7. If assigned to cemetery, perform a variety of grave site preparation activities for burial and interment services; open and close graves; set up tents, chairs, and other items for services; provide assistance to funeral directors as necessary; perform disinterment.
8. Assist in the installation, repair, replacement, and service of irrigation systems; inspect functionality of sprinklers and report malfunctioning sprinkler systems to appropriate personnel. Effectively operate various irrigation controllers. Assist in irrigation systems start-up and winterization as directed.
9. Maintain flower beds and vegetation; pull weeds and assure proper irrigation. 
10. Clean and sanitize public restrooms and rental spaces; pick up litter and empty trash receptacles; blow hard surfaces clear of debris; haul and move picnic tables as required; inspect and notify appropriate personnel of general safety hazards and repair needs. 
11. Perform minor and preventive maintenance and repair work on facilities, amenities and infrastructure; assist with other maintenance work as assigned including painting and staining.
12. Perform horticulture duties; review floral records and select new flowers according to established procedures; lay-out new flower plantings; monitor growth and health.
13. Apply chemicals assuring proper health and safety precautions. Maintain detailed and accurate records of all chemical and pesticide applications according to, and in compliance with Washington State and Federal regulations. 
14. Apply fertilizers and provide for proper applications; perform other assigned turf management duties.
15. Maintain routine records of work performed, including labor, equipment usage, preventive maintenance and needed repairs.
16. Perform seasonal grounds maintenance activities, including ice and snow removal and other projects. 
17. Install and maintain holiday decorations in various locations.
18. Provide assistance to the general public and event organizers; support sponsored events on City grounds including the downtown; act as an Ambassador of the City of Walla Walla. 
19. Effectively interact with the general public, including incapacitated or unhoused individuals in public spaces and perform unhoused encampment clean-up according to established guidelines. 
20. Follow federal, state and local codes, laws, rules and regulations related to cemeteries and human remains, including RCW Title 68.
21. Perform first aid and CPR according to established guidelines.
22. Safely dispose of needles and drug paraphernalia, human feces, and other potentially infectious materials within established guidelines.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance which is essential for successful job performance.
2. Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
3. Execute assignments, projects and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.
4. Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
5. Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
6. Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• General landscape design, construction, and maintenance knowledge and best practices.
• Cultivating, fertilizing, watering, and spraying of turf, flowers, trees, and shrubs.
• Industry safety policies, procedures, and practices; related OSHA and WISHA regulations and requirements. 
• Maintain records and prepare reports, including detailed records as required by the State of Washington on all chemical applications within the parks system.
• Comply with the State of Washington and Federal regulations on all chemical applications.
• Apply fertilizer and chemicals safely.
• Operate a computer terminal. 
• Effectively work in a team environment, contribute openly, respectfully disagree, understand the ideas of others, listen well and work for consensus.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Operate and utilize a variety of landscape construction and maintenance machinery and equipment including, but not limited to excavators, backhoes, tractors, snowplows, chain saws, pruners, shears, weed eaters, sprayers, and push and riding mowers. Utilize computers and software such as Microsoft Word and Excel, GPS, Munis payroll, Pontem, Baseline, Sentinel, and other software or office functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Seeing, hearing, and speaking to exchange information; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a variety of specialized grounds equipment and power and hand tools; reach overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; stand and sit for extended periods of time, including on a lawn mower; walk over rough or uneven surfaces; bend at the waist; kneel or crouch; perform heavy physical labor such as digging; carrying, pushing, lifting heavy objects and pulling equipment; ability to lift up to 25 pounds, and up to 50 pounds with assistance. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Outdoor environment in City parks, cemetery, and golf course; working in adverse weather conditions; regular exposure to dirt, dust, and pollen; subject to driving a vehicle to conduct work; working around and with machinery having moving parts.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma, or GED equivalent, plus one-year experience maintaining turf, plants, trees and irrigation, and operating related equipment or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Valid driver’s license. First Aid and CPR certificate or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire date. Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s license or the ability to obtain will be required within one (1) year of hire date. Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification may be required depending on the assigned work zone. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working in landscape construction, landscape maintenance, cemetery maintenance, golf course maintenance, greenhouse, nursery, farming or agriculture. Graduate of an accredited vocational program in turf management or related field. Washington Backflow Assembly Tester Certification. Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification. Bilingual in Spanish.

Other Qualifications