Grounds Maintenance Specialist Jobs

This position provides operational and maintenance support to the City's parks, buildings, sports fields, equipment and grounds; and provides responsive, courteous, and efficient customer service in support of departmental operations.
This is an AFSCME, Local 2491 position.

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily.

• Assists with tree removal, branch clearing and chipper operations, planting flowerbeds, trees, and shrubs.
• Performs snow removal.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and Holidays as assigned.
• Mows infield; drags, lines, chalks, and prepares baseball, softball and soccer athletic fields.
• Assists with maintenance and repair of buildings, ancillary structures, irrigation system, pathways, and roadways.
• Cleans, lubricates, and performs preventive maintenance or repair on small equipment.
• Performs routine grounds maintenance including lawn mowing, weed whipping, lawn repair, landscape maintenance, tree and shrub pruning, and trash removal.
• Assists with the set-up and takedown for special events, exhibits, or displays.
• Assists in the maintenance and troubleshooting of irrigation systems.
• Operates lawn equipment including mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, hand tools, and power tools for assigned areas.
• Performs light building maintenance and repair as well as new construction projects as assigned.
• Maintains appearance of all parks to ensure areas are free of litter, trash, fallen tree limbs and other debris.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year experience in landscaping including lawn mowing, string trimming, shrub trimming, plant and bed care, flower plantings and snow removal.
• Two (2) years grounds maintenance, light equipment operation, and customer service experience.
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

• Operate motorized vehicles (e.g. 4x4 pickup with plow, life gate pickup) and light equipment (e.g. ZTR mowers, 4x4 tractors) and hand tools.
• DOT medical card, or ability to obtain within one (1) month of hire date.
• Basic proficiency with office computers and related applications.
• State of Michigan drivers license with acceptable driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be submitted to the Human Resources Department.

• Worker is exposed to seasonal extreme outside weather conditions.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Exposures include working around moving mechanical parts.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work is performed at city buildings and outside.

City Provided Benefits
Pension - 15% of employees salary contributed to defined compensation (401a) plan; 50% vested after 3 years; 75% vested after 4 years and 100% vested after 5 years
Retiree Health Care Funding Plan - 4% of employee's salary contributed to retiree health care funding plan; vested after 5 years
Vacation - 10 days to a maximum of 25 days annually as accrued based on tenure
Annual Leave - 13 days annually as accrued
Holidays - 12 days annually
Health Care Core Package - Medical, Dental and Vision provided first of the month following 60 days of employment (buy up options available)
Short-Term and Long Term Disability, Life and AD& D Insurance - provided first of the month following 180 days of employment pending successful completion of probation
Tuition Reimbursement Plan - $2500 annually for approved courses
Additional Benefits - Employee Assistance Program and Wellness benefit