Maintenance Worker - Grounds

The Town of Knightdale is seeking a dependable, motivated individual with experience or interest in landscape and grounds maintenance to join our Public Works Department as a Maintenance Worker in our Grounds Division. This position plays an important role in maintaining the Town's parks, athletic fields, playgrounds, greenways, and other public spaces, ensuring they remain safe, attractive, and enjoyable for all patrons. As a member of our Grounds team, you'll perform a variety of outdoor maintenance duties, including mowing, trimming, planting, athletic field preparation, landscape installation, equipment operation, special event support, and more. We're looking for someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys working outdoors, values teamwork, and is committed to providing exceptional service while helping keep Knightdale looking its best.

Under direct supervision, performs a variety of skilled and limited skill manual labor work in the maintenance of all Town property, including all grounds, right-of-ways, gateways, parks, and recreation facilities; performs related work as required. This position is classified as non-exempt and is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime regulations.PRIMARY TASKS:

• Performs general maintenance tasks on public parks and recreation facilities, restrooms, playground equipment, sports courts, and athletic fields. 
  • Prepares athletic fields for playing, practicing, or games. 
    • Inspects athletic fields for unsafe or damaged conditions.
    • Drags and lines athletic fields as needed.
    • Repairs all unsafe or damaged conditions. 
  • Inspects playground equipment, play areas, and athletic fields. 
    • Reports all unsafe conditions to the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor.
    • Records all playground inspections completed in the Playground Maintenance Log.
  • Assists with special event setup and takedown. 
• Maintains the general aesthetic appearance of Town-owned properties.
  • Cleans water fountains; empties small trash receptacles; removes leaves, fallen limbs, and other debris from parking lots and sidewalks. 
  • Maintains landscaping by mowing, seeding, planting, pruning, trimming, edging, spraying, and fertilizing grass, trees, shrubbery, and flowers. 
    • Applies lime, fertilizer, and chemicals as needed to maintain flowerbeds, trees, shrubs, and turf areas.
• Assists with stormwater repair and landscape installation.
• Conducts routine maintenance of equipment, including but not limited to sharpening mower blades, changing oil, changing tires, performing minor repairs, and maintaining a maintenance log for all repaired equipment. 
• Inspects delivery of supplies to ensure quantity and condition are acceptable.
• Communicates effectively with all Public Works personnel as well as Town Administration, departments, and citizens.
• Maintains continuity and promotes a team environment.
• Promotes a positive work environment and reputation of the Public Works Department and Town at all times.
• Complies with and follows all local, state, and federal safety standards.
• Performs other duties as required.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:  Non-CDL dump trucks, utility vehicles, tractors, mowers, blowers, weed eater, line marking machine, various power-hand tools, field rake, real mower, and other related equipment as necessary to perform a variety of tasks.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:  This position reports to the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Employees are subjected to hazards present in maintenance functions including both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as chemicals, loud noise, vibrations, and traffic.
• Must be able to physically perform all basic life operational functions.
• Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally; up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate machinery and in the normal tasks associated with mechanical or skilled trades.
• Must be prepared and respond to all storm-related incidents, including but not limited to snow and ice removal.

JOB CONTEXT: This position works 40 hours per week during the five-day workweek with a schedule to be established by the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor and approved by the Public Works Director. Weekends and overtime are sometimes necessary to fulfill the requirements of the job and must first be approved by the Public Works Director. The stress level of this job is low.QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS:

Education:  Graduation from a standard high school or GED.
 
Experience:  Training and relevant experience is preffered.
 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITITES:

• Considerable knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the area of assigned responsibility.
• Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions.
• Skill in the use of assigned tools and equipment.
• Ability to identify maintenance needs.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor in varied weather conditions and adapt to changing priorities and seasonal workloads.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to make minor repairs to the tools and equipment assigned.
• Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Possession of a valid driver's license.