Employment

The Hancock Park District is accepting applications for Park Maintenance Technician. The Park Maintenance Technician is responsible for handling special projects and repairs; maintaining parks, trails, facilities, buildings, vehicles, and equipment; supporting programs, special events, and services; and implementing park maintenance standards (safety, cleanliness, function, aesthetics, and customer service).

A bachelor’s degree in Park Management, Natural Resources, Environmental Science or a closely related field, at least two years of relevant experience with park management and hands-on maintenance of parks, trails, facilities, buildings, vehicles, and equipment, and basic construction and electrical knowledge are preferred. However, any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to handle the responsibilities and essential duties of the position will be considered.

The base pay for this position is $16.48 an hour up to 1,200 hours each year. Benefits include one paid personal day each year after six months of employment and a pension plan through the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS).

An application along with a cover letter and resumé are required and must be mailed to or dropped off at Hancock Park District, 1424 East Main Cross Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840 (Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), emailed to hpdparks@hancockparks.com or faxed to 419-423-5811. We also have an electronic application on this site. This position is open until filled. The first review of applications will be on Monday, June 26, 2023. Hancock Park District is an equal opportunity employer. 

POSITION TITLE: Park Maintenance Technician
CLASSIFICATION: Grade 9 – Permanent/Part-time (weekdays)
SUPERVISOR: Park Operations Manager
LOCATION: River Landings Maintenance Facility

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Park Maintenance Technician is responsible for handling special projects and repairs; maintaining parks, trails, facilities, buildings, vehicles, and equipment; supporting programs, special events, and services; complying with operational procedures in the Personnel Manual; and meeting performance expectations in the area of initiative, dependability, quality, and cooperation.

Implementing the overarching park maintenance standards (safety, cleanliness, function, aesthetics, and customer service) is a top priority and a directive. Therefore, being familiar with park maintenance standards via review and repetition (i.e., reading, studying, learning, and doing) and being able to correctly interpret and apply those standards in the field is the responsibility of the Park Maintenance Technician. Consult Park Maintenance Standards for details.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Assist park managers with special projects upon request and in coordination with the Park Operations Manager and handle special projects (e.g., park improvement projects and repairs) as directed by the Park Operations Manager. Work might require designing, making a materials list, estimating cost, coordinating details, and completing the project alone or as part of a team.

2. Assist park managers with various park management responsibilities, duties, and tasks in coordination with the Park Operations Manager, such as:

A. Mowing, trimming, and pruning (i.e., manage vegetation). The intent is to mow and trim grass on the same day and during the same visit, trim grass around and under all objects and along all edges as needed, and remove grass clippings from hard surfaces, site amenities, signs, etc.

The intent is to prune trees as needed for tree health and aesthetics, and when branches encroach upon buildings, facilities, playgrounds, parking lots, equipment, trails, walkways, designated viewing areas, site amenities, signs, exhibits, lights, etc.

The intent is to manage vegetation so that it does not hinder the view from seating areas and encroach upon trails and walkways from above and along the sides, and to remove vegetation from places where it does not belong, such as hard surfaces (e.g., trails, walkways, and parking lots).

B. Removing trash and recyclable material. The intent is to check trash receptacles and recycle bins on a daily basis, remove trash and recyclable material to prevent trash receptacles and recycle bins from overflowing, and to ensure that receptacles and bins are not so full that customers cannot use them. The intent is to sort recyclable material and transport material to a local recycling center and remove trash when seen on top of receptacles, on the ground, in trees, on trails, and along tree lines. Litter pickup is a constant and expected at all parks and along trails.

C. Ensuring rental facility readiness and the readiness of parks and facilities in preparation for park visitation in general. The intent is to read the daily Facility Reservation Report to see when facilities are rented, inspect and maintain rental facilities on a daily basis to ensure readiness for park visitors, and prior to and following each rental, program, and special event to ensure quality customer service, and to focus on the cleanup of rental facilities after they have been used (e.g., on Mondays following weekend use).

D. Inspecting parks, trails, and facilities and handling maintenance issues that arise as a result of those inspections (e.g., vegetation management, building repairs, and safety issues). The intent is to conduct primary inspections on foot, and then supplement those inspections when driving by, driving through, and visiting parks for any reason (be observant, detail oriented, and aware, and be in inspection mode at all times).

E. Removing snow and ice so that parks and trails can remain functional in winter. The intent is to remove snow from parking lots, asphalt trails, concrete walkways and pads, shelters and pavilions, and patios; remove snow from signs and site amenities; and remove ice from parking lots, walkways, and ramps as needed when rentals, programs, meetings, and other uses are scheduled.

F. Planning and conducting maintenance activities in support of and in coordination with the Program Department.

G. Maintaining vehicles and equipment.

3. Perform tasks related to landscaping and horticulture as directed by the Park Operations Manager.

4. In coordination with park managers and the Park Operations Manager; evaluate current methodology used to maintain vegetation, explore alternatives to spraying chemical and trimming and pruning vegetation on a recurring basis, and identify landscaped areas that can be eliminated in favor of lawn restoration and mowing. Determine if less time can be spent and a low maintenance alternative can be achieved.

5. Work with event organizers (inside and outside of the Hancock Park District) as directed by the Park Operations Manager to help with logistics and the overall use of parks for special events. Provide support as needed.

6. Enforce land and water use regulations on a situational basis by being aware of what is happening in the parks and on the trails, informing, educating, and encouraging voluntary compliance with park regulations, and seeking assistance from sworn law enforcement officers when public safety is in question and when certain laws are being broken.

7. Participate in routine staff meetings, identify the need for training and continuing education (pursue relevant training opportunities), and prepare and present information to the Park Operations Manager for the annual budget development process, including operating and capital expenditure requests. Monitor spending and manage expenditures in accordance with the approved budget and assist the Park Operations Manager with the development of proactive solutions to control operating costs. Perform various administrative tasks (e.g., purchasing).

8. Participate in the interviewing, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating of seasonal staff as directed by the Park Operations Manager. Essential duties are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree in Park Management, Natural Resources, Environmental Science or a closely related field, at least two years of relevant experience with park management and hands-on maintenance of parks, trails, facilities, buildings, vehicles, and equipment, and basic construction and electrical knowledge are preferred. However, any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to handle the responsibilities and essential duties of the position will be considered.

The Park Maintenance Technician should be proficient with Microsoft Office software applications and have the ability to communicate in a clear and professional manner both orally and in writing, demonstrate high professional standards and a progressive park management mindset, and be willing to accept new challenges, technologies, and opportunities.

Being comfortable with empowerment and taking the initiative (i.e., being a leader and doing what needs to be done without prompting from others); having a strong work ethic and being responsible with time management (i.e., contributing to an overall effort within the Park Operations Department to maximize efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity); feeling a sense of ownership and doing quality work (i.e., doing the work correctly); and having a positive attitude, listening to others, and communicating with the Park Operations Manager (i.e., keeping the Park Operations Manager informed about the status of maintenance activities and projects related to parks, trails, and facilities) are among the professional traits desired by the Hancock Park District.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work regularly occurs in the field where noise level is moderate, weather conditions vary from normal to extreme, and environmental conditions vary from developed to primitive. Work requires the ability to exert moderate but not constant physical effort involving some combination of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling; lift, carry, push, and pull objects and materials; operate a variety of equipment, machinery, and tools; coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing skilled movements such as operating vehicles; and recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds, and textures associated with job related objects, materials, and tasks.