Grounds Staff

Located in the heart of Northern California, West Sacramento is a thriving, centrally positioned city recognized as a regional leader and an emerging hub for commerce and development. The West Sacramento Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to building a strong, connected community where pride, purpose, and care come together to create inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, forward-thinking team committed to our mission: “Parks Make Life Better.” If you're passionate about community service, innovation, and making a lasting impact, we welcome you to join our team. 

The Parks and Grounds Worker/Senior position reports to the Parks Superintendent and Chief Parks and Grounds Workers. This position will serve a key role in daily operation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of the City’s irrigation systems within parks, sports fields, and landscaped public areas. This includes working with a variety of irrigation technologies such as smart controls, pump systems, backflow prevention devices, valves, and underground piping. This position also supports general park maintenance tasks as needed and collaborates with other City departments, contractors, and community groups to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of irrigation services.

The daily work of this position requires an individual who is a self-starter, can work both independently and cooperatively, has good communication skills, and above all possesses a great attitude. Regular interaction with the public is to be expected, all while representing the Parks & Recreation Department and the City in the most professional manner. 

This position works daily on the inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and operation of irrigation systems within City parks, sports fields, and landscaped areas. While reporting directly to the Irrigation Chief and other supervisors in the Parks Division, The Parks and Grounds Worker is also expected to coordinate and communicate with other City departments, contractors and relevant groups. The role requires a self-motivated individual, who demonstrates strong problem-solving and communication skills, and maintains a positive, professional attitude. Regular interaction with the public is expected, and the individual must represent the Parks and Recreation Department and the City with professionalism and courtesy at all times. 

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in irrigation system maintenance and repair, including the operation and troubleshooting of controllers, valves, piping, and pump systems. Additional preferred experience includes operation of parks maintenance equipment and vehicles, landscape and turf care, pesticide and fertilizer applications, sports field maintenance, and cleanup of public spaces. Relevant experience may come from prior employment or any hands-on work involving irrigation systems, equipment maintenance or parks/grounds/landscape related responsibilities. 

Certifications and licenses highly desired for this position include, but are not limited to, Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor, Certified Backflow Prevention Tester, Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM) Certified Arborist, Class A or Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Certified Applicator License or Certified Applicator Certificate (QAL or QAC), CPR/First Aid Certification, and OSHA 10/40. Additional certifications relevant to parks, grounds, grounds, turf, and tree maintenance are also valued.

DEFINITION: Performs general and varied grounds and park facilities mainte­nance and gardening work.  Parks and Grounds Worker is the entry level in the Park Maintenance worker series.  Positions allocated to this level are assigned the more routine, unskilled, semi-skilled and manual labor duties, working under immediate direction.  Incumbents are normally considered to be in a training status.  Senior Parks and Ground Worker is the journey level class in the series working under general direction. Positions allocated to this level are assigned skilled and semi-skilled duties related to grounds care and development, work independently, and serve as a lead worker in training and directing others.  Advancement to the Senior Parks and Grounds Worker level shall occur after satisfactorily performing the duties of a Parks and Grounds Worker for two (2) years.  Satisfactory performance means an overall satisfactory or higher rating on the performance evaluation during the last evaluation period.  An employee may advance to the Senior Parks and Grounds Worker in less than two (2) years if the employee's performance is noted as exceptional by the Department Head and the employee is recommended for early advancement by the Department Head.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
Essential Functions:  Mows lawns; edges around walks, flower beds, walls, fences and related grounds areas; trims and prunes shrubs, hedges, and trees; hoes, weeds and rakes lawns; picks up paper and trash; waters various grounds areas by hand or by operating the sprinkler system; plants lawns, trees, flowers and shrubs; assists in installing and repairing sprinkler system; cleans and maintains parks' facilities, restrooms and picnic areas; installs picnic areas, and barriers; minor building repair and painting; operates power lawn mowers, tractor mowers, trucks and related equipment; utilizes air purifying respirators during the application of certain chemicals.
 
Marginal Functions:  Services and makes minor repairs to equipment; may assist with other public work installations; the Senior Parks and Grounds Worker may serve in the absence of the Chief Parks & Grounds Worker as assigned; performs other duties and responsibilities as required.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:  Ability to wear and use air purifying respirators as regulated by Cal/OSHA.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS:  Travel from site to site; some exposure to dust and noise; some heavy lifting, standing, climbing; may work at heights; work in inclement weather conditions.