Parks Maintenance Worker - EXAM

Under general supervision, is responsible for performing a variety of fully-skilled landscape and grounds maintenance work, including the operation of tractor mowers and related equipment, at City parks, recreational facilities, athletic fields, reservoirs, and peripheral work locations; performs related duties as required.

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

• Mows, waters, fertilizes, seeds, and aerates turf using various types of turf maintenance equipment;

• Maintains recreational areas by removing refuse and fallen branches, sweeping sidewalks, painting recreational equipment, filling potholes, raking and mulching leaves, and shoveling ice and snow;

• Operates a light truck or similar vehicle, tractor mower, boat, packer truck, aerator, seeder, hand and power mower, stump remover, snowplow, weed eater, edger, chainsaw, and various hand and power tools;

• Performs light operator maintenance on tractor mower and related equipment;

• Installs, maintains, and operates recreational and special event equipment at various facilities including waterfront facilities, campgrounds, playgrounds, tennis courts, swimming pools, and athletic fields;

• Maintains routine records and reports including mowing schedules, fuel and oil sheets, and time cards;

• Identifies various turf diseases;

• May apply pesticides and herbicides to park grounds and ponds using various spray equipment;

• May assist with training less senior employees engaged in parks maintenance related duties.

One (1) year of experience operating a tractor mower.

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Possession of a valid Commercial Applicator’s License issued by the Ohio Department of Agriculture may be required for some positions.

Possession of a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) may be required for some positions.

The names of the applicants passing this administration of this exam will be used to create a NEW, OPEN COMPETITIVE, eligible list, and will replace the names on the current list.  If you are interested in having your name included on the new eligible list, you will need to apply for this exam within the filing period and successfully complete all phases of the testing process.  Questions regarding this process can be directed to the Test Center at 614-645-7439. 

The examination process will consist of a written work sample exam weighted 30% covering Pre-Trip Equipment Safety Inspection of a Tractor Mower; a written work sample exam weighted 20% covering Tool and Equipment Identification; and a multiple choice exam weighted 50% covering Tool & Equipment Use, Basic Math, Safety, Parks Maintenance Knowledge, Map Reading, and Problem Sensitivity.

The exam is expected to be administered in September 2026.   Approved applicants will be notified by mail/email of their scheduled test date and time. 

All applicants must complete all phases of the testing process in order to receive a final score.  The names of all candidates who pass this examination will remain on the eligible list for two years, unless the eligible list is replaced prior to or extended beyond the two years.  If a candidate's name is certified and the candidate is to be considered for employment, the hiring process will include one or more interviews, a criminal background check, and a pre-employment drug test.  

The certification process will be:  Fixed Band

The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer