Parks Operations Technician I

Performs entry-level workmaintaining parks, athletic fields, trails and greenways, public common areas/spaces, irrigation systems, park structures, fixtures and recreational facilities, mowing, parking areas, litter and trash removal, minor construction and repair to facilities, and assists with special events and programs. Generally, this position uses basic skills and works under close supervision, with minimal latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

• Operates a variety of specialized equipment and performs manual labor tasks to maintain safe parks and City facilities as assigned; duties will vary according to job assignment.
• Performs general park maintenance and repairs including mowing, weed eating, hand weed removal, edging, painting, masonry, carpentry, playgrounds/play structures, pavilions, fencing, lighting, irrigation systems, sidewalks, parking lots, picnic tables, dog waste stations, restroom cleaning, pest and weed control, tree planting and pruning, fertilization and trash removal.
• Ability to make repairs and perform maintenance to buildings, facilities, irrigation systems and equipment using carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical skills, and reports problems requiring additional attention.
• Operates and maintains vehicles, tools and equipment including but not limited to hand tools, mowers, edgers, pickup truck, trailers, utility vehicles, tractors, front-end loaders, tillers, string trimmers, blowers, sprayers, chain and pole saws in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures.
• Prepares and maintains athletic fields and sport courts to include dragging and lining fields, setting bases, mowing, weed eating, irrigation repair, watering, cleaning, pest and weed control, fertilization and trash removal.
• Maintains, cleans and repairs swimming pool(s) and water-splash parks; performs plumbing repairs.
• Assists with the setup and teardown of festivals, special events, and programs to include, but not limited to staging, tables, chairs, tents, parking, trash removal, use of generators and light towers and other equipment, etc.
• Keeps records of work completed through the City's work order system.
• Carries out various landscape management of the City's open/public spaces and/or public safety facilities as assigned.
• Responsible for placing and taking down pavilion reservation signs.
• Provides Park and Facility visitors with information, directions, or other assistance, as permitted.
• Must be able to work flexible work schedule and irregular hours including evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays on any assigned or scheduled shift.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• High school graduate or its equivalent.
• Must be able to work flexible work schedules and irregular hours including evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays on any assigned or scheduled shift.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Driver's License from any state in the United States. Must obtain a Texas driver's license within 90 days of hire, according to state law.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Minimum of six months of related experience.
• Certificate or degree from a trade or technical school, or college degree.
• Previous experience and knowledge of arboricultural and horticultural practices, operation of maintenance, and mowing.
• Previous experience in welding, metal fabrication, masonry, painting, carpentry, concrete, plumbing, electrical and heavy equipment.
• Experience working for a city, state, or county.

• Must be able to wear city provided uniform and city issued personal protective equipment - Steel-toed leather boots, gloves, eye protection, head protection, safety vest, and ear protection.
• Workers must follow safety procedures and use of safety equipment.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to communicate with other employees and the public in a courteous and diplomatic manner.
• Skill in operating assigned equipment, tools, and vehicles safely.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle and feel items; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crawl; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to lift or move 100 pounds and drag up to 150 pounds. 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 accommodation may be considered.

Working Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; extreme cold and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally loud.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.

Your well-being and that of your family matters to you, and so it's important to us too. To support you and your loved ones through life's many challenges, we offer our full time employees access to a wide array of benefits including health, dental, vision, life, disability, accident, cancer, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employee assistance, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid emergency leave, longevity pay, golf course discounts as well as generous retirement and deferred compensation programs and social security participation.

Medical
We offer two types of medical plans (a traditional PPO plan and a high deductible health plan) so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs. The premium you pay is based on which plan you select and who you cover. Covering just yourself? The City currently pays the entire employee-only premium for either plan. Covering qualified dependents in your family? Currently, we'll pay your employee premium and split the remainder of the spouse/child/family premium with you - we pay 60%; you pay 40%. That generous cost share reflects our philosophy that our employees and their families should have the best health care we can afford to provide.

Dental
Dental plans include a DMO option (no cost for employee-only coverage) and two more traditional plans whose premiums are also affordable. You can choose to cover yourself or any qualified dependents and choose which plan best suits your dental needs. Currently, for the DHMO option, we pay the employee premium and split the remainder of the spouse/child/family premiums with you – we pay 50%; you pay 50%. Under the more traditional plans, although we don't pay the entire employee-only premium, we still split the incremental dependent premiums with you 50/50.

Vision
Access to $10 eye exam co-pays and up to $150 frame and contact lens allowances make vision insurance a popular benefit among employees. Cover yourself for just a few bucks a pay period or all of your qualified dependents for not much more.

Life/AD&D
Your basic employee $15,000 term life insurance policy is paid for by the city. Accidental Death & Dismemberment under the plan would pay an additional $15,000 to your beneficiary if you die in an accident. More life insurance coverage is paid for by the City and provided through our Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) program. If that's still not enough coverage, you can purchase more life/AD&D coverage for yourself and your qualified dependents. Over the age of 65? These coverages are subject to an age reduction schedule.

Disability
Both short and long term disability plans which provide up to 60% income replacement are available to purchase at competitive rates.

Accident & Cancer
Need extra coverage for off-the-job medical injuries or a cancer diagnosis? Supplemental plans that pay cash for some of life's most unexpected events are available for purchase.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Want to set aside some pre-tax dollars for health care expenses or dependent care expenses? If you select the traditional EPO medical coverage, you can set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses through the City's Section 125 medical FSA plan, which is managed by an outside carrier. You can do the same for dependent day care expenses, regardless of which medical plan you select.

Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
The high deductible health care plan has its own provisions for pre-tax health savings (HSA) so you can set aside money for your qualified health care expenses. The City will add $1000 to your health savings