Park Caretaker - Turf Management/Chemical Applicator
Park Caretaker - Turf Management/ Chemical Applicator
The City of Kalispell is now accepting applications for a Parks Caretaker-Turf Management/Chemical Applicator position. A detailed job description and application are available at www.kalispell.com, City Hall at 201 1st Ave E or the Job Service at 427 1 st Ave E. The City of Kalispell offers a competitive benefits package EOE
A. GENERAL CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs a variety of semi-skilled and technical tasks in the maintenance and operation of parks, grounds, open spaces, irrigation, urban forestry and recreation systems. With an emphasis on turf management, chemical application and arboriculture practices. Currently the position serves City Parks for approximately nine months of the year while three months of the year are spent in urban forestry.
B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
General
a. Work assignments are made both orally and in writing. Work is performed with considerable independence in judgment and decision making within established policies, procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines. Work is reviewed through observation, conferences, periodic reports and by the results obtained.
b. The following duties are typical for this classification. These are not to be construed as all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Turf Management & Chemical Application (70%)
a. Mows and maintain parks, open space areas, sports fields, mows weeds, cleans and maintains park facilities and equipment, and assists in the installation, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems.
b. Carries out pest and weed control of parks, open spaces, natural areas, and athletic fields.
c. Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to lawns, trees, and shrubs according to product label.
d. Ability to identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
e. Carries out aeration, seeding, fertilizing, top dressing, soil conditioning, leveling and watering of turf.
f. Performs routine maintenance on spray equipment, turf equipment, electric motors, pumps, sprinklers, tractors, mowers, and irrigation systems including but not limited to, tractors, trucks, trailers, and pruning equipment.
g. Performs semi-skilled interior building maintenance such as painting, plumbing, carpentry, and other unskilled and semi-skilled work.
h. Assists in the construction of new parks facilities, including clearing, grading, drainage, and foundation work.
i. Keeps records of work completed.
Urban Forestry (20%)
a. Assist with the care, maintenance, and removal of trees and other vegetation on city property in accordance with International Society of Arboricultural standards & arboricultural Best Management Practices.
b. Conducts forestry activities from tree planting, tree pruning to tree care. Has a general knowledge of plant materials, tree species, planting, pruning and removal techniques.
c. Operate a variety of equipment and tools including aerial lift truck, chipper, stump grinder, chainsaw, backhoe, tree spade, and hand tools.
d. Properly setup work zone safety control along streets, sidewalks and work zones.
e. Utilize GIS and GPS in record keeping.
Peripheral Duties (10%)
a. Assists in the training and/or supervision of lower-level employees or community service workers.
b. Serves as a member of various employee committees, as assigned.
c. Clears snow around city facilities during winter months.
d. Assists in the maintenance of the municipal swimming pool.
e. Various other duties as assigned.
C. SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the general supervision of a Parks Supervisor or a Forestry Supervisor.
D. SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
May act as a lead worker and supervise community service workers or temporary employees as required and assigned.
E. DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience):
a. Graduation from high school, GED or equivalent, and;
b. Graduation from a two-year collegiate program in turf science, horticultural science, urban forestry, or similar, or
c. Three years of experience in turf maintenance, chemical application, or urban forestry, or
d. Any equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
F. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
a. Working knowledge of equipment, materials and supplies used in turf maintenance and grounds
maintenance; Working knowledge of equipment and supplies used to do minor repairs.
b. Knowledge of herbicides, pesticides and fertilization as it relates to turf management.
c. Knowledge of State and Federal laws governing chemical application.
d. Knowledge of irrigation principles.
e. Knowledge of soil principles as it pertains to turf management.
f. Knowledge of horticulture and arboriculture practices.
g. Working knowledge of urban forestry as it relates to proper planting and pruning techniques and use of equipment.
h. Skilled in the operation of listed tools and equipment.
i. Ability to work independently and to complete daily activities according to work schedule;
j. Ability to lift heavy objects, walk and stand for long periods of time, and to perform strenuous physical labor under adverse field conditions;
k. Ability to communicate orally and in writing;
l. Ability to use equipment and tools properly and safely; Ability to understand, follow, and transmit written and oral instructions;
m. Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and the public.
n. Working knowledge of first aid and applicable safety precautions.
G. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
a. Must be a valid Class D Driver’s license upon date of hire.
b. Valid Montana Commercial Driver’s License, Class B, Type 2 or must be able to obtain license within 6 months.
c. Montana Herbicide and Pesticide Applicators License or the ability to obtain one within 12 months.
d. Preference maybe given to someone that is a certified tree worker or aerial lift specialist through the International Society of Arboriculture or the ability to obtain with 12 months.
H. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Pickup truck, applicator equipment, lawn and landscaping equipment, including tractors, skid steer, backhoe, loader, bucket truck, mowers, airifier, chain saw, edger’s, weed trimmers, electric motors, pumps, sprinklers, irrigation systems; miscellaneous hand and power tools for turf maintenance, carpentry, painting, plumbing, pruning, electrical, and cement finishing work; pumps, boiler, valves, filtration devices, gauges, etc; janitorial equipment including floor buffers, steam cleaner, carpet cleaners, washers, vacuums, mops, brooms, and dusting equipment.
I. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
a. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
b. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
c. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds and work up to heights of 60' and over. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
J. WORK ENVIRONMENT:
a. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
b. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works in high, precarious places and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles and vibration.
c. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
d. Shift Schedule: The regular schedule is 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Some overtime & weekend work will be required. Note: The city reserves to change the schedule base on the needs of the city
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities.