PARK STAFF

JOB SUMMARY

The Park Crew / Field and Grounds Maintenance employee is responsible for the daily maintenance, preparation, cleanliness, safety, and overall appearance of athletic fields, park grounds, facilities, and common areas at Pelican Park. This position performs grounds and facility maintenance duties including mowing, trimming, athletic field preparation, turf maintenance, landscaping, irrigation maintenance, facility cleaning, event setup, equipment operation, and general park maintenance. The position normally works a 40-hour workweek and requires flexibility to work weekends, holidays, tournaments, special events, and overtime as needed. Schedules may vary based on seasonal conditions, tournaments, facility reservations, weather, emergency repairs, and operational needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain assigned athletic fields, grounds, parking areas, and common areas in a clean, safe, and presentable condition.
• Perform daily inspections of assigned fields, grounds, equipment, and facilities and report safety hazards or maintenance concerns.
• Prepare and maintain athletic fields for games, practices, tournaments, and special events.
• Operate commercial mowing, trimming, landscaping, and ground-maintenance equipment.
• Assist with turf maintenance, irrigation, landscaping, and general park improvements.
• Assist with facility cleaning, event setup, equipment movement, and general park operations.
• Follow established safety procedures and properly use required personal protective equipment.
• Work cooperatively with supervisors, park staff, vendors, participants, and the public.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform daily trash pickup and litter removal from assigned fields, grounds, parking areas, and common areas.
• Conduct daily safety inspections of assigned athletic fields, equipment, facilities, and grounds.
• Mow, weed-eat, edge, and maintain athletic fields, lawns, parking areas, and other assigned grounds.
• Prepare athletic fields for scheduled games, practices, tournaments, and special events.
• Move and position soccer goals, baseball bases, player benches, bleachers, and other athletic equipment according to scheduled activities.
• Lay out, line, stripe, and paint soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball, and other athletic fields as required.
• Assist with replacing and repairing worn or damaged turf areas.
• Assist with field topdressing, fertilizing, overseeding, aerating, and other turf-management activities.
• Water athletic fields, trees, shrubs, plants, and landscaped areas as required.
• Prune and maintain trees, plants, shrubs, and landscaped areas.
• Assist with irrigation system inspections, troubleshooting, repairs, and replacement of parts as needed.
• Assist with construction, repair, improvement, and maintenance projects as assigned.
• Perform janitorial services in gyms, pavilions, restrooms, and other park facilities, including sweeping, mopping, cleaning restrooms, removing trash, and restocking supplies.
• Set up and break down basketball and volleyball courts, dance floors, stages, bleachers, and other event equipment.
• Operate commercial floor-cleaning equipment on gym courts, foyers, and other designated areas.
• Safely operate electric- and gas-powered hand tools and other maintenance equipment.
• Safely operate tractors, mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, utility vehicles, and other equipment appropriate to assigned duties.
• Properly handle, store, use, and dispose of chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, cleaning products, and other maintenance materials in accordance with applicable safety requirements.
• Maintain assigned tools, equipment, vehicles, and work areas in a clean, safe, and serviceable condition.
• Report damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, accidents, injuries, or other hazards to the appropriate supervisor.
• Assist with tournament and special-event preparation, maintenance, and cleanup.
• Respond to emergency maintenance needs and unscheduled repairs when directed.
• Perform additional park maintenance duties as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience in parks and recreation, athletic field maintenance, landscaping, grounds maintenance, construction, or a related field preferred.
• Experience operating commercial mowing and grounds-maintenance equipment preferred.
• General knowledge of athletic field layouts, terminology, preparation, and maintenance preferred.
• Ability to learn the proper operation and maintenance of park equipment and tools.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of basic grounds-maintenance practices and safe equipment operation.
• Ability to read, write, understand measurements, and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, coworkers, park staff, vendors, participants, and the public.
• Ability to work independently and complete assigned duties with appropriate supervision.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritize assignments and meet deadlines, including during tournaments, special events, and unexpected maintenance situations.
• Ability to remain calm and productive when working under stressful conditions or strict deadlines.
• Ability to learn and adapt to seasonal, operational, and event-specific requirements.
• Ability to identify unsafe conditions and report maintenance or safety concerns promptly.
• Ability to safely operate hand tools, power tools, motorized equipment, and other equipment used in park maintenance

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• At least 18 years of age.
• Current driver's license issued by the state of residence.
• Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, early mornings, evenings, tournaments, and special events as required.
• Ability to successfully complete required training related to equipment operation, workplace safety, chemical handling, and other assigned duties.

PHYSICAL AND DEXTERITY REQUIREMENTS (with or without accommodation)

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, twist, kneel, squat, crouch, reach, and work in various positions for extended periods.
• Ability to perform repetitive physical tasks associated with mowing, trimming, field preparation, landscaping, cleaning, and general maintenance.
• Ability to safely operate hand tools, power tools, lawn equipment, tractors, utility vehicles, and other park-maintenance equipment.
• Ability to work on uneven, wet, muddy, or other potentially unstable surfaces.
• Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods of time.
• Ability to wear required uniforms and personal protective equipment while performing assigned duties.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, humidity, and sun.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS (with or without accommodation)

• Vision: Ability to see and identify field markings, equipment, hazards, written instructions, measurements, and maintenance conditions.
• Hearing: Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions and communication through radios, telephones, and other communication devices.
• Speech: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with supervisors, coworkers, vendors, participants, and the public.
• Smell: Ability to detect unusual or potentially hazardous odors, including smoke, fuel, chemicals, gas, or other conditions requiring attention.
• Touch: Ability to safely handle tools, equipment, materials, and objects necessary to perform maintenance duties.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

• Weather Conditions: Regular exposure to heat, cold, rain, humidity, sun, wind, and other outdoor conditions.
• Uneven or Slippery Surfaces: Potential for slips, trips, and falls on wet, muddy, uneven, or unstable surfaces.
• Insects and Pests: Possible exposure to mosquitoes, bees, wasps, ticks, and other insects or pests commonly found in outdoor environments.
• Chemical Exposure: Potential exposure to fertilizers, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, fuel, and other maintenance products.
• Loud Noise: Exposure to noise from mowers, tractors, power tools, vehicles, athletic events, crowds, and other park equipment and activities.
• Equipment Hazards: Potential for injury from operating or working around power equipment, vehicles, tools, machinery, and other maintenance equipment.
• Physical Hazards: Potential exposure to lifting hazards, falling objects, sharp tools, athletic equipment, construction materials, and other conditions associated with park maintenance.
• Animals and Wildlife: Possible exposure to domestic animals, wildlife, and other animals located within park grounds.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

The above is intended to describe the content of and requirements of the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Recreation District #1 of St. Tammany reserves the right to change, add, or delete at any time from this job description to meet the need of the organization.

At Pelican Park, we firmly believe in the power of unity. When we come together, as One Team, we create a safe space where every individual and every effort matters. Whether you're a visitor or part of our Team, we all share in the overall success of this incredible park and programs. Let’s grow, connect, and thrive together—because we are all part of something bigger.