Landscape Maintenance Worker

TO APPLY: 

To be considered for this opportunity, please visit "Job Opportunities" at www.rpcity.org and complete the online application and required supplemental questionnaire. All applications will be screened in detail for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. 

Qualified candidates may be invited to complete a practical assessment as part of the selection process.  The assessment is intended to give you a sense of the work performed in this position and provide a relevant example of your skills.

Under general supervision, performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks in the maintenance and repair of landscape areas in parks, street medians, facilities and other public grounds and performs related work as required.

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel.  Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

The Landscape Maintenance Worker is a single level classification that performs a wide variety of unskilled to semi-skilled landscape maintenance tasks.  Incumbents are expected to operate landscape maintenance equipment including mowers, trimmers, blowers and other hand tools. Positions in this class require some prior municipal or industrial landscape experience.  Incumbents are expected to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs general landscape maintenance duties including mowing, trimming, edging, hedging and weeding.
• Cleans and maintains outdoor areas, including weeding, watering, planting, picking up litter, and assisting in the care of trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns. 
• Loads, unloads and transports dirt, plants, and other landscape materials.
• Assists in roadway lane closures by setting up traffic cones, directional signs and barricades to channel traffic.
• Removes small trees, stumps and roots, and assists in removing larger trees. 
• Repairs and/or reports vandalism, damage or major maintenance requirements.
• Inspects and cleans irrigation systems. 
• Replaces broken sprinkler heads and nozzles and makes basic repairs of irrigation systems.
• Performs minor building maintenance and custodial work.
• Applies or assists in the preparation and application of pesticides.
• Transports equipment, materials, or debris from one location to another.
• Cleans and maintains trucks, mowers, and related equipment and tools used in the course of work. 
• Operates and/or drives a variety of light duty equipment and vehicles typically used in Public Works maintenance activities.

In performing the duties described above, the incumbent is expected to:

• Provide outstanding and friendly customer service.
• Create and maintain a respectful and collaborative working environment.
• Communicate honestly and behave in a manner that is ethical, legal and fiscally responsible.
• Demonstrate care for the organization, customers, and coworkers.
• Perform work of the highest quality possible.
• Practice and encourage initiative and innovation to improve the workplace.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, techniques and equipment used in the maintenance of public parks, facilities, and street landscape areas.
• Safe practices in using hand tools and light equipment.
• Traffic laws, ordinances, rules and regulations involved in the operation of vehicles and equipment operations.
• Arithmetic sufficient to calculate volumes, areas, lengths, percentages and conversions.
• Safe work practices, including safety precautions for operating a variety of power equipment, working in traffic and under hazardous conditions.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

ABILITY TO:

• Operate a variety of power tools and equipment used in landscape maintenance activities.
• Diagnose problems and determine appropriate action.
• Interpret and work from sketches, plans, and specifications.
• Take initiative to seek out work; complete tasks and follow through with work assignments in a timely fashion.
• Follow verbal and written directions.
• Perform manual labor under adverse working conditions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.   A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade and six (6) months experience performing municipal or commercial landscape duties.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license by date of appointment.
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicator Certificate is highly desirable.

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces and around machines, to climb and descend ladders, to operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; smell to recognize and distinguish odors, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio.   The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.   Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment.  Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 70 pounds or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and assistance from other staff.

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.  May be required to wear respiratory equipment. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

May provide twenty-four-hour standby service.

Salary : $49,432 - $60,224