Parks Grounds Specialist (Cemetery Operations/Parks and Recreation Department)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus two (2) years experience related to grounds keeping or general labor services, at least one (1) year of which is in the assigned area of specialization.
• Experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• If assigned to operate vehicles, must possess the appropriate Texas Driver’s License for those vehicles.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Parks Grounds Specialist position is to provide services to the park and cemetery. Other relevant duties include but are not limited to:

• Perform park grounds/cemetery operations tasks such as marking grave sites and marking monument setting.
• Train/Lead staff in performing Burial and Monument markings.
• Train/Lead staff mowing Cemetery Grounds and properly weed eating around all monuments/structures (historic/standard).
• Train/Lead staff in performing interment tasks.
• Train/Lead staff in performing monument setting/resetting.
• Ensure all work orders are filled out properly and returned to Crew Leader and/or Supervisor in a timely manner.
• Performs safety inspections and addresses deficits on the City of Austin five (5) municipal cemeteries.
• Performs minor repairs/construction on assigned equipment.
• Perform minor janitorial services and properly secure properties during the evening shift.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Driving Requirement: This position requires a valid Texas Class “B” Commercial Driver License ( CDL ) with passenger endorsement or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds. Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.

Other:

• Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• 90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Pay Range
$21.18 - $23.56 per hour.
Hours
Work/Location Schedule Notes:

• Variable - 40 hours per week/subject to change.
• Shifts: 6:30 am - 3:00 pm, 10:00 am - 6:30 pm, 12:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
• Must be able to work a monthly rotating shift for Saturdays and Sundays.
• May be required to work during special events and occasional holidays.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 06/27/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 2800 Hancock Dr. Austin, TX 78731 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience driving a truck and trailer combination.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools and other maintenance equipment including but not limited to, leaf blowers, string-line trimmers, walk-behind curb edgers, and large mowers (propane, gas and diesel, zero-turn mowers).
• Experience performing preventative and mechanical maintenance on mowing equipment.
• Experience marking interments and monument settings at a Municipal Cemetery.
• Experience performing interment tasks.
• Experience related to grounds keeping or general labor services in a cemetery, park or other park-like setting.
• Experience performing minor plumbing and/or irrigation system repairs.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic computer competency with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and completing work orders.

Preferred Licenses/Certifications:

• Class B Commercial Driver License ( CDL ) or the ability to obtain one within six (6) months of hire.

Other:

• Ability to travel to multiple work sites throughout the workday.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

1. Performs skilled and semi-skilled grounds maintenance tasks.
2. Performs minor and major repairs
3. Performs general concrete work.
4. Operates department equipment
5. Operates hand tools.
6. Performs safety inspections and addresses deficits.
7. Drives service vehicles
8. Removes graffiti or paint
9. Assists the public with questions/concerns

Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of general grounds keeping processes, policies and procedures within the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Knowledge of assigned areas, i.e., hike and bike trail surfaces, athletic fields, equipment, etc.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to operate power tools.
• Ability to lifting and carry equipment or materials applicable to the work being performed
• Ability to train and lead others.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for this position are graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus two (2) years experience related to grounds keeping or general labor services, at least one (1) year of which is in the assigned area of specialization. Experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years. Do you meet these qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* In reviewing the preferred qualifications section of this job posting, please describe in 500 words or less how you meet those preferred qualifications.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* This position requires a Texas Commercial Class B Driver License with Passenger (P) endorsement or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire. Please select the answer that applies to you.

• I currently have a Texas Commercial Class B Driver License with Passenger (P) endorsement.
• I currently do no have a Texas Commercial Class B Driver License with Passenger (P) endorsement but will be able to obtain within six (6) months of hire.
• I currently do not have a Texas Commercial Class B Driver License with Passenger (P) endorsement and I will not be able to obtain one within six (6) months of hire.

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that external new hires meet the City's Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three (3) moving violations or a total of six (6) Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Are you available to work rotating shifts to include weekends and holidays?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents

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