Job Summary

To perform maintenance and groundskeeping duties at county park facilities and various tax-forfeited parcels.

Supervision Received

Employees working in this job class work under direct supervision and do not have authority to select alternative work methods or to exercise independent judgment that are of any consequence. Duties are performed according to detailed instructions with strict adherence to prescribed standards and procedures. Assignments are checked for accuracy and adherence to instructions.

This position reports to the Land Commissioner, but may also receive limited work direction from the Parks Foreman, Forestry/Parks Technician, and Recreation Specialist.

Supervision Exercised

No formal supervisory authority.

Upon request by the employer, experienced park laborers may be assigned to serve as a seasonal crew leader over other seasonal park laborers. This may include prioritizing and assigning tasks, monitoring work productivity, checking the work for timeliness and correctness or soundness, establishing work standards, coordinating work schedules, and providing input into supervisor’s actions.

Essential Functions

This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other essential and nonessential functions as assigned or apparent to meet the ongoing needs of the department and organization. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential requirements of this position.

1. Performs the mowing, trimming, and raking of lawns.
2. Assists in the maintenance of forest roads, ATV, snowmobile, hiking, and cross-country ski trails assuring safe recreation use.
3. Assists in the building, replacement, or repair of information signs for parks, picnic areas, trails, beaches, accesses, and forest roads as needed.
4. Cleans and sanitizes restrooms using established practices and procedures.
5. Cleans, dusts, and wipes furniture and fixtures; sweeps, mops, or vacuums floors; empties/cleans wastebaskets and trash containers; replaces light bulbs; refills restroom dispensers. Washes walls and equipment; uses ladders when required in work assignments.
6. Locks and unlocks assigned buildings; secures facilities when not in use, reports any unauthorized occupants or vandalism to facilities.
7. Washes accessible interior and exterior windows.
8. Paints signs, fences, sheds, or buildings as assigned.
9. Cleans equipment used in custodial and grounds maintenance such as mowers, tractor/trailers, and a variety of hand/power tools.
10. Plants and trims lawns, trees, bushes, hedges, and shrubs using hand tools or motorized vehicles. Applies herbicide and pesticide chemicals as assigned to control plant diseases and insects.
11. Informs supervisor when supplies will be needed for all aspects of groundskeeping; e.g. equipment parts, blades, herbicides, pesticides, flowers, bushes, or trees.
12. Drives vehicles to pick up supplies, materials, trash, etc.
13. Assists in the maintenance of department equipment such as tractors, mowers, grass whips, ATV’s, snowmobiles, chainsaws, brush cutters, trail groomers, trucks, graders, etc. so safe and proper working conditions are maintained.
14. Assists in training new hires in the work involving grounds and park facility maintenance.
15. Receives on-site deliveries of culverts, dirt, lumber, etc. as needed for department projects as assigned.
16. Attends training and meetings as needed.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be 18 years or older. High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required. Preference will be given to candidates who have groundskeeping, facility maintenance, and carpentry experience. Valid MN driver’s license required. (This position does not require a Class A CDL.)

Employment reference checks and a criminal background check will be performed as part of the pre-employment process.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Knowledge of:

1. County and departmental policies, procedures, and practices to safely and effectively accomplish the needs of the department.
2. Federal, state, and local laws as related to the department. OSHA requirements and the proper wearing, use, and maintenance of personal safety equipment.
3. Basic cleaning, repairing, improving, and constructing of public buildings, facilities, and grounds.
4. Methods of landscaping.
5. Safe use and care of motorized equipment and hand/power tools used in custodial and grounds maintenance work.
6. Occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to groundskeeping and maintenance work.
7. Proper use of pesticides and herbicides.
8. MSDS sheets and the necessary precautions of materials handled.
9. Proper use of personal protective equipment and safety policies and procedures.
10. Basic carpentry skills and painting.
11. Basic understanding of rules and regulations to maintain correct and accurate signage and placement of signage for trail and other recreational facilities.

Skill in:

1. Teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with supervisors, co-workers, and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
2. Reading maps.
3. Verbal communication skills.
4. Basic first aid and CPR.
5. The use of light equipment (mowers, weed whips, etc.), hand and power tools.

Ability to:

1. Present a positive attitude in the workplace, promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, and be able to treat co-workers, supervisor, and subordinates with respect, honesty, and consideration.
2. Safely operate a variety of equipment and tools.
3. Follow oral and written directions.
4. Maintain a high degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently while exercising good judgment.
5. Maintain records.
6. Physically perform the duties of the position including, but not limited to, sitting on mowers for long periods of time, standing for long periods of time, walking for long periods of time on different types of terrain, repetitive use of hands/arms/shoulders when painting and performing other tasks, and considerable bending, lifting, and climbing.
7. If assigned as the crew leader, must have the ability to lead, instruct, and train others in the work, including the operation and proper use of equipment.

Language Skills

Intermediate Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

Basic Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Skills

Intermediate Skills – Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient at using the following software.

County Payroll Software, E-time, Microsoft Outlook, and Internet.

Ability to Travel

Daily travel to various jobsites required.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should consistently demonstrate the following competencies (definitions attached or available upon request):

Ethics, attendance/punctuality, safety and security, dependability, problem solving, technical skills, interpersonal skills, oral communication, teamwork, quality management, cost consciousness, diversity, organizational support, judgment, motivation, planning/organizing, professionalism, quality, quantity, adaptability, and initiative.

Work Environment

Works outside and is exposed to very hot summer temperatures and occasionally rain. Exposed to excessive dust or dirt at times. Sometimes subjected to sounds and noise levels that are loud or distracting. While working, may be exposed to bees, flies, ticks, and poison ivy. Is exposed to hazardous physical conditions while working around equipment and mechanical parts and may periodically work with hazardous chemicals such as pesticides or herbicides.

Equipment and Tools

Telephone, calculator, power tools, hand tools, lawn mowers, weed whips, brush cutters, shovels, rakes, measuring and metering devices, tractors, trailers, county-owned vehicles, and other job-related tools and equipment.

Physical Activities/Requirements

Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, use of fingers, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Must have the ability to lift and/or carry up to 70 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs heavy work, exerting up to 70 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Working safely is a condition of employment. Aitkin County is a drug-free workplace.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Aitkin County reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

The County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

05/13/2014

Job Summary