MKE PARKS WORKER

The MKE Parks Worker conducts routine and unscheduled maintenance and repairs on City of Milwaukee Parks grounds and equipment.This position involves hands-on-work ensuring City of Milwaukee parks are safe, clean, and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.

Parks Grounds Maintenance and Playground Equipment Repair

• Cut grass areas using a commercial riding lawnmower; trim and edge grounds using electric string/line trimmers; occasionally trim brush and bushes utilizing a hedge trimmer.
• Inspect and repair park playground equipment, site amenities and furnishings.
• Maintain safety surfacing material.
• Plant and maintain vegetation for turf, trees and perennials.
• Perform tree pruning and removal of branches and leaves.
• Perform general ground upkeep including collection, removal and proper disposal of trash from receptacles and litter.
• Perform snow removal functions of sidewalks and playground areas using shovels, electric power broom, electric blower and/or single-stage snow blower and salt application on appropriate surfaces.    

Inventory and Equipment Management

• General care and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Inventory management and seasonal work preparation.

Safety and Documentation

• Perform all work safely, in accordance with departmental policies, municipal and state laws, and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
• Abide by City and departmental work rules and safety instructions and attend departmental meetings and training programs, such as safety and policy briefings.
• Complete required paperwork, such as work logs and timecards.

Customer Service

• Interact with residents and coworkers politely and courteously.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

The MKE Parks Worker must be willing and able to do the following:

• Work a flexible schedule, including emergencies, special events and projects, evenings, weekends and holidays as needed on short notice.
• Be subject to working weekends and holidays, 1st and 2nd shift.
• Properly lift and move objects weighing up to 100 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Work from ladders at heights of up to 15 feet.
• Meet the physical demands of the job, including frequent standing, walking, twisting, bending, climbing stairs, and lifting and pushing items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work outdoors in variable and extreme weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, wind, and snow).
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary, including safety shoes, hard hat, ear protection and safety glasses.
• Conduct proper and safe handling of illegally pumped materials and/or potentially hazardous items such as glass syringes, hot coals, wasp/bee nests or dead animals and pests.

The preplacement testing required for this title includes the following:

• Physical /w 100 lb lift
• Audiogram
• Vision
• Non-dot drug test

1. Regular status as a City of Milwaukee employee, having successfully completed a probationary period for a civil service position, or status as a City of Milwaukee employee in a fixed-term position.
2. Six months of experience performing general facilities, grounds or landscape maintenance.
3. Certified Park Safety Inspector (CPSI) training within twelve months of appointment and as a condition of passing probation.
4. Valid Wisconsin driver's License at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
5. Good driving record at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

NOTICE:  Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

Technical

• Knowledge of basic construction, repair, and maintenance techniques and tools.
• Ability to learn playground safety and accessibility standards.
• Ability to use equipment such as a commercial riding lawnmower, string trimmer, leaf blower, snowblower, hedge trimer, string trimmer and hand tools such as saw, hammer, wrench, drill, screwdriver and various shovels.
• Ability to perform lawn care and maintenance work.
• Ability to operate landscape equipment, including riding lawnmowers, trimmers and hedgers.
• Ability to operate small powered and hand tools.
• Ability to perform minor equipment repairs and routine maintenance.
• Ability to operate job-related vehicles, including lawn mowers, snow removal equipment, automobiles, vans, and small or medium-duty trucks.
• Ability to drive light-duty commercial trucks up to 26’ in length.
• Ability to take accurate measurements. 
• Ability to interpret assembly instructions, diagrams, and simple architectural plans.
• Ability to perform minor landscaping and groundskeeping duties.
• Ability to read and interpret maintenance work orders and other job-related forms.

Safety and Judgment

• Ability to exercise care and good judgment regarding safety, abiding by safety-related policies, laws, and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
• Knowledge of general safety procedures for facility and landscape maintenance projects, including the repair and operation of job-related tools, equipment and vehicles.
• Ability to learn safe practices related to proper collection and disposal of sharps/needles and to complete Bloodborne Pathogen training.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions, rules, and safety guidelines.
• Ability to maintain a sanitary and orderly work environment.
• Situational awareness and the ability to monitor the work site vicinity, including pedestrian traffic, to ensure the safety of the custodial crew, other staff, and the public.
• Ability to perform work duties with professionalism, honesty, integrity, and the ability to safeguard City property.

Interpersonal and Customer Focus

• Effective verbal and written communication skills to positively represent the department in various formats.
• Customer service knowledge and skills.
• Able to interact with park users in a professional, courteous, and positive manner.
• Ability to work cooperatively, effectively, and fairly with coworkers and residents whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse individuals, including the public, contractors, elected officials, employees, and management.

The current starting salary rate (Pay Range 8CN) is $50,130 annually, and the resident incentive starting salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $52,135 annually.  Appointment will be made in accordance with the provisions of the salary ordinance. 

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job-related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of related education, experience, and accomplishments, an evaluation of written communication, interviews, and/or other assessment methods. The Department of Public Works reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to proceed in the selection process. Information from the selection process will be used to make a hiring decision. Selected candidates will be transferred and/or promoted to the position.

INITIAL FILING DATE – The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the City's needs are met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the selection process at the time and place designated by the hiring authority.

NOTE: Transfer/Promotional Opportunities and Promotional Examinations are not open to Milwaukee Public Schools employees or to the public. Only current City of Milwaukee employees and civilian personnel in MFD and MPD hired through a City Service Commission process who have successfully completed a probationary period for a Civil Service position or who have status as a City of Milwaukee employee in a fixed-term position will be considered. Individuals with exempt, provisional, temporary, or emergency appointments are not eligible for transfer.

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO Code=801

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.