Seasonal Positions are available in Parks. Seasonal positions will be filled as soon as possible. The length of the season worked may vary depending on the date of hire.

This recruitment is accepting applications for the positions listed below and may be closed at any time. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

This posting is open for Parks positions only. Please see www.cob.org / jobs for other postings, including any currently available seasonal positions in Public Works.

The full hourly range for this position is $18.21 - $22.36. Employees receive step increases in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

The Parks and Recreation Department currently have the following vacancies for the 2024 season (9-month seasonal positions) :

Maintenance Aide III - Horticulture / Turf

Season runs - 3 / 1 / 2024 - 11 / 29 / 2024

Maintenance Aide III - Trails

Season runs - 3 / 1 / 2024 - 11 / 29 / 2024

Weekly work schedules will be four, ten-hour days M-Th, OR five, eight-hour days

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program.

All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City's 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

Employees will receive paid holidays per the holiday schedule during their employment period. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law.

At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service.

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours / month.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following

• Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
• Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)

NATURE OF WORK

This position performs seasonal grounds maintenance. Specific duties depend upon program area assigned which include multiple divisions within the Parks and Recreation Department.

Performs a variety of manual labor in the construction, maintenance, repair, operation and service work of all parks facilities.

Operates hand and power tools and motorized equipment. Work consists of routine and repetitive tasks, processes and / or operations and will be performed cooperatively with other employees and completed in a manner that assures individual, co-worker and public safety in all weather and working conditions.

Program area assignments may change from day to day depending upon Department needs. May be assigned to work independently or directly with a crew.

May be called out for emergency work. May be assigned to lead a crew of lower classified staff with responsibility for transporting crew members to job sites and providing on-site instruction and day-to-day direction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs lead person role, as assigned. Is responsible to ensure assigned crew work safely and efficiently perform daily work;

provides basic on-site instruction and direction. Refers technical questions to higher classified staff in program area assignment.

Refers personnel issues to Supervisor.

• Completes scheduled maintenance activities in a variety of City facilities and parks which includes but is not limited to mowing, trimming, edging, care of trees, rose gardens, shrub beds, leaf and debris removal, barking / mulching, weeding, planting and repair, watering, litter pick-up, painting, pressure washing, vacuuming, sweeping, emptying trash containers, cleaning and other custodial activities.
• Sets up traffic control devices including barricades, flags and performs other safety related duties.
• Assists workers in higher classes in construction, installation and repair of structures, equipment or other amenities such as trails, trail structures, signs, steps, retaining walls, irrigation systems, drainage systems, cemetery burial amenities and cemetery monuments.
• Assists with Illegal Camp removal, removing trash and accumulated debris from camp sites.
• Performs manual labor such as digging, shoveling, raking, picking, hammering, lifting, carrying, pushing a wheelbarrow and other similar manual labor.
• Operates a variety of hand tools and power equipment. Examples of this equipment include line trimmers, chainsaws, brush chipper, hedge shears, blowers, pressure washers, drills, etc.
• Operates a variety of automotive equipment including small tractors, pickup trucks with trailer attachments and mowers.

Drives dump trucks (with manufacturer's weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds) to remove material, haul soil, gravel, etc. as needed.

Conducts daily visual inspection and maintains all assigned equipment. Maintains tools by cleaning and ensuring proper storage.

Reports tool needs and concerns to Supervisor.

Answers questions and concerns from the public as well as other staff in other program areas.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED

• Assists with grounds and facilities maintenance involving carpentry, masonry and other manual building trade skills.
• Logs information, completes work orders and paperwork required by Supervisor.
• Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

Physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the job including

• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate hand and power equipment safely and efficiently.
• Correctable vision to read instructions and work safely around equipment.
• Adequate hearing to effectively hear voice radio and crew communications, roadway traffic and alarms in a noisy environment.
• Ability to perform heavy physical labor including operating mechanical equipment for extended periods of time, climbing and working from ladders and setting up tents.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring repetitive hand and arm movements.
• Ability to work overhead for extended periods of time.
• Physical ability to continuously stoop, bend, climb occasionally work in confined spaces or from heights and frequently lift and carry heavy objects in the 50 lb range and occasionally weights of approximately 100 lbs utilizing proper body mechanics, mechanical and other assistance.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and on City streets and right-of-ways, in close proximity to roadway traffic, in and industrial plant environment or on uneven terrain, some of the time in remote work sites.

The work involves a moderate risk work environment which requires employees to follow established safety procedures in operating equipment and vehicles, handling irritant materials, working in unsanitary conditions, performing repetitive activities, etc.

Employees are required to wear personal protective equipment, use appropriate safety equipment and follow standard safety practices.

• Successful paid work experience in grounds and facilities maintenance or manual construction labor using manual and power tools and motorized equipment required.
• Successful paid work experience in a lead position preferred.

An equivalent combination of experience and training sufficient to provide the applicant with the skills, knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check and child and vulnerable adult abuse records check (See Fair Hiring Practices).
• Valid Washington State Drivers License by time of hire and proof of a good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule involving working evenings, weekends and holidays, as assigned. (Required by some positions)
• At least 18 years old by time of hire.

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along

• Applications will be reviewed to ensure they are complete.
• All complete applications will be forwarded to the department for further review.
• Candidates will be contacted by the department if they are selected for additional review.

Equal Opportunity

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force.

We do not discriminate or make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40 ), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.

All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

Last updated : 2024-06-11