Maintenance Worker - Grounds

Are you experienced in the field of landscape maintenance and interested in serving in local government?  If so, we invite you to apply to join Knightdale’s skilled Public Works staff.  Public Works operates and maintains existing public infrastructure, plans and constructs capital improvements, protects public health, safety and natural resources, and promotes community values.  The position of Maintenance Worker - Grounds will aid in providing skilled manual labor in the maintenance of all Town property including all grounds, right-of-ways, gateways, athletic fields, and parks.

Under direct supervision, performs a variety of skilled and limited skill manual labor work in the maintenance of all Town property including all grounds, right-of-ways, gateways, athletic fields, and parks; performs related work as required. This position is classified as non-exempt and is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime regulations.
 

• Inspects all playground equipment, play areas and athletic fields on a daily basis. 
  • Reports all unsafe conditions to the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor. 
  • Records all inspections completed in the Playground Maintenance Log. 
  • Corrects all unsafe conditions.
• Maintains the general aesthetic appearance of Town properties on a weekly basis. 
  • Cleans water fountains. 
  • Empties small trash receptacles into larger ones to be picked up by waste industries. 
  • Blows off sidewalks and parking lots with a leaf vacuum. 
  • Maintains shrubbery and flowerbeds by trimming and mulching, once a month during the growing season and on an as needed basis during the non-growing season.
• Mows right-of-ways, athletic fields and other Town property with a tractor and mower. 
• Drags and lines athletic fields before practices and games on a daily basis.
• Maintains records for the athletic fields on an as needed basis. 
  • Inspects athletic fields looking for unsafe or damaged conditions. 
  • Fixes any unsafe conditions or damages to the athletic field, if the job is one that does not require high expenses. 
  • Reports and coordinates all expensive maintenance to Wake County to be fixed.  
• Responsible for mowing, seeding planting, pruning, trimming, edging, spraying and fertilizing grass, trees, shrubbery and flowers on Town properties. 
• Rakes and removes leaves and fallen limbs on Town properties.
• Conducts routine maintenance of equipment based on the hourly usage of the equipment. 
  • Sharpens mower blades by using a blade sharpener. 
  • Changes oil. 
  • Changes tires. 
  • Performs minor repairs. 
  • Takes major repairs to get fixed to the store that the equipment was purchased from or to a repair shop. 
  • Retains a maintenance log on all repaired equipment.
• Applies lime, fertilizer and chemicals as needed to maintain flowerbeds, trees, shrubs and turf areas. 
• Completes work orders with required and relevant information as assigned. Takes initiative to complete work orders in a timely manner. Maintains records accurately and with attention to detail.
• Complies and follows all local, state and federal safety standards. 
• Inspects delivery of supplies to ensure quantity and condition are acceptable. 
• Assists other departments as needed.  
• Performs other duties as required. 

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:  Utility vehicle, tractors, mowers, blowers, weed eater, line marking machine, and various hand tools, field rake, real mower, and other related equipment as necessary to perform a variety of tasks.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:  This position reports to the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Employees are subjected to hazards present in maintenance functions including both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as chemicals, loud noise, vibrations, and traffic. 
• Must be able to physically perform all basic life operational functions. 
• Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally; up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly. 
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate machinery and in the normal tasks associated with mechanical or skilled trades.

 
JOB CONTEXT: This position works 40 hours per week during the five day workweek with schedule to be established by the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor and approved by the Public Works Director. Weekends and overtime are sometimes necessary to fulfill the requirements of the job and must first be approved by the Public Works Director. The stress level of this job is low.

Education:  Graduation from a standard high school or GED.
 
Experience:  Entry level position. Prefer someone with a combination of training and experience.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the standard practices, tools and equipment used in maintenance work and general landscape maintenance. 
• Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions. 
• Skill in the use of assigned tools and equipment. 
• Ability to make minor repairs to the tools and equipment assigned.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor in varied weather conditions. 
• Ability to complete written and electronic reports and records.
• Ability to learn and operate mobile computing solutions as basic as e-mail and work order application.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. 
• Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the general public. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees.  

Special Requirements:  Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.

Salary : $44,265 - $48,896