Parks Laborer
Saco Parks & Recreation
Job Description
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Class Title: Parks Maintainer
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date: July 29, 2025
Base: $
Parks Laborer
(Parks Division)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK
This is a skilled and semi-skilled position responsible for the daily and routine maintenance of city parks, school grounds, athletic facilities, municipal grounds and assistance with tree work. The work involves both heavy and light physical labor and assisting in the performance of semi-skilled work.
SUPERVISON RECEIVED
Direct supervision is received from the Park Foreman. Considerable independent judgment is exercised while completing daily assignments.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
OTHER DUTIES
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Equipment operated includes but not limited to power and hand tools, chain saws, various landscape, turf management and tree care equipment, compact utility tractor with loader, backhoe and implements, truck with boom bucket, and snow removal equipment.
MANDATORY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
The candidate for this position should have a High School diploma or equivalent. Posses a minimum of three (3) years progressive grounds maintenance.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and smell.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 80lbs. Requires full range of body motion, to include bending at waist and full use of all extremities and back muscles. Requires excellent levels of equilibrium when positioned on slippery, uneven, or wet surfaces. Possess accurate depth perception, as well as near/far vision of 20/40, uncorrected or corrected and the ability to distinguish colors. Ability to hear within three feet and on the telephone. Possess fine motor dexterity in both hands.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit, stand, talk and hear, and walk various sites including rough and uneven surfaces. Position involves ascending and descending ladders, stairs ramps, etc. The incumbent works in a variety of settings and is frequently around children of all ages. The noise level in the work environment can be extremely noisy when park’s equipment is being used. Additional occupational risks may be present as related to chemicals from supplies, operation of equipment, and completing maintenance activities in commercial parks, athletic turf management, and tree care. Safety toed work boots constructed of sturdy leather and at least 6” high that comply with ANSI Z41-1991 are required to be worn at all times.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.
The probationary period for this position is six months at which time a review of work performance will be conducted before the candidate is conferred to fulltime status.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Class Title: Parks Maintainer
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date: July 29, 2025
Base: $
Parks Laborer
(Parks Division)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK
This is a skilled and semi-skilled position responsible for the daily and routine maintenance of city parks, school grounds, athletic facilities, municipal grounds and assistance with tree work. The work involves both heavy and light physical labor and assisting in the performance of semi-skilled work.
SUPERVISON RECEIVED
Direct supervision is received from the Park Foreman. Considerable independent judgment is exercised while completing daily assignments.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Will assist with tree, and shrub planting.
- Will trim lawns, bushes, hedges, and shrubs using commercial equipment, hand, and power tools.
- Landscapes new ground areas and repairs damaged ground areas.
- Is responsible for daily and routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment, including vehicles, mowing equipment, tractors, trailers, snowplows, and minor equipment.
- Care for landscaped and athletic field areas by watering, pruning, mulching and routine maintenance.
- During snow/ice events may be assigned for snow/ice removal of Community Center facilities such as parking lots, walkways, and exits.
- Perform seasonal ground keeping and recreational support duties as required.
- The work schedule for this position is routinely a standard work week but can include flexible scheduling; to include weekend and evening hours to support the needs of the department’s weekend activities.
- Maintains knowledge of current trends, maintenance procedures, and equipment for the further development and upkeep of the parks, athletic fields, and facilities.
- May include outside winter work in the maintenance of ice rink, trails, and other winter recreation venues.
- Performs related work as required for the effective operation of the department.
OTHER DUTIES
- May supervise seasonal employees and volunteers under the Parks Division of the department performing routine tasks.
- Responsible for winter snow removal of SPR parking lots, sidewalks, and winter recreation areas.
- Responsible for Sidewalk plowing during winter storms for Saco Public Work
- Various building and facility maintenance tasks include light construction projects.
- Assists in the set up/take down of equipment for special community events.
- Maintains, repairs, and constructs outdoor areas, i.e. cement, fences, light carpentry, playgrounds.
- Prepares athletic fields and parks for events.
- Participates in the City-wide emergency response programs; the incumbent must be available in the event of emergency situations to assist in coordinating restoration of services and clean-up activities.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Equipment operated includes but not limited to power and hand tools, chain saws, various landscape, turf management and tree care equipment, compact utility tractor with loader, backhoe and implements, truck with boom bucket, and snow removal equipment.
MANDATORY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
The candidate for this position should have a High School diploma or equivalent. Posses a minimum of three (3) years progressive grounds maintenance.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to operate and maintain equipment including, but not limited to vehicles, commercial turf mowers, tractors, and chain saws.
- Knowledge and methods of commercial landscaping practices and plant care.
- Knowledge of use and care of motorized equipment and hand/power tools used in grounds maintenance.
- Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to ground keeping and maintenance work.
- Knowledge of cultivation, weed control, seeding, and planting of trees, shrubs, athletic turf, and flower beds.
- Detail oriented, with considerable attention to order and potential hazards in public landscapes and athletic fields.
- Ability to use a computer.
- Ability to follow oral instructions and read written instructions.
- Ability to use hand tools, including electronic equipment, and operate motorized equipment and vehicles such as cars, trucks or tractors and implements.
- Requires speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes issuing and receiving assignments, instructions, and/or directions.
- Good interpersonal skills: the ability to deal effectively with the public, children of various ages, as well as coworkers and other municipal employees.
- The ability to complete several tasks in decentralized areas.
- The ability to recognize the need for equipment repairs.
- The ability to follow manufacturers guidelines in working with hazardous chemicals in a safe manner.
- Must have a valid class C Maine Driver's License.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and smell.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 80lbs. Requires full range of body motion, to include bending at waist and full use of all extremities and back muscles. Requires excellent levels of equilibrium when positioned on slippery, uneven, or wet surfaces. Possess accurate depth perception, as well as near/far vision of 20/40, uncorrected or corrected and the ability to distinguish colors. Ability to hear within three feet and on the telephone. Possess fine motor dexterity in both hands.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit, stand, talk and hear, and walk various sites including rough and uneven surfaces. Position involves ascending and descending ladders, stairs ramps, etc. The incumbent works in a variety of settings and is frequently around children of all ages. The noise level in the work environment can be extremely noisy when park’s equipment is being used. Additional occupational risks may be present as related to chemicals from supplies, operation of equipment, and completing maintenance activities in commercial parks, athletic turf management, and tree care. Safety toed work boots constructed of sturdy leather and at least 6” high that comply with ANSI Z41-1991 are required to be worn at all times.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.
The probationary period for this position is six months at which time a review of work performance will be conducted before the candidate is conferred to fulltime status.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
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