Grounds Maintenance Crew Leader

Position Description

Tacoma Public Utilities & The City of Tacoma are currently seeking experienced grounds maintenance workers with strong leadership skills to oversee the daily activities of grounds maintenance workers and other assigned staff. Duties also include interaction with the general public, cultivation and care of lawns, flowers, plants, trees, and ornamental shrubbery, right of way maintenance, operation and maintenance of a variety of tools, equipment, and vehicles. Some aspects of the job will require the proper use and disposal of pesticides.

If the below list of personal traits sounds like you, then you are just the type of person we are looking for to join our team as a Grounds Maintenance Crew Lead.

• Excellent attendance
• Enjoy working both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather conditions
• Great customer service
• Enjoy leading work crews as part of a team effort
• Enjoy physically demanding and a variety of job tasks

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Heavy manual labor may include lifting up to 50 lbs without assistance and/or over 75 lbs with assistance, digging, climbing and walking long distances with equipment or tools.
• Outdoor environment; subject to adverse weather conditions.
• Incumbents in this classification are exposed to noise, chemicals and dangers of working in the vicinity of energized objects such as high voltage lines, transformers and generators.
• May be required to drive heavy equipment over steep and rugged banks, canyons and in the vicinity of heavily traveled roads.

Qualifications

Two Years experience as a Grounds Maintenance Worker AND

• Graduation from a two-year college with major course work in horticulture or grounds maintenance, or Certificate of Completion of a specialized grounds maintenance program from a vocational technical college and two years of experience in the care of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, lawns and in the care and maintenance of gardening tools, equipment and facilities.

OR

• Four years of professional experience in the care of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, lawns and in the care and maintenance of gardening tools, equipment and facilities.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State Commercial Driver's License with tanker endorsement prior to completion of probation with maintenance thereafter. After hire, employee must obtain appropriate endorsement(s) required by the department prior to completion of probation with maintenance thereafter.

• Flagging Certification by completion of probation with maintenance thereafter
• First Aid and CPR Card by completion of probation with maintenance thereafter
• Valid Public Pesticide Operator's License
• May be required to obtain additional endorsements as appropriate with maintenance thereafter
• May be required to obtain a Backflow Testing Certificate with maintenance thereafter

Knowledge & Skills

• Technical aspects and application of grounds maintenance and landscape construction, practices and procedures
• Current health and safety regulations governing chemicals and equipment utilized in grounds maintenance and landscape construction work
• Plant species and planting techniques
• Standard practices, materials, methods and tools utilized in propagating, raising and caring for plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns
• Current symptoms, methods of control and treatment of plant disease and insect pests
• Types of soil required in propagating and growing varied plants and types of fertilizer and methods of use
• Installation and maintenance of irrigation and lawn sprinkling systems and other facilities
• Proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment used in grounds maintenance activities
• Principles and practices of supervising the daily activities of assigned grounds maintenance workers and other assigned employees
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
• Prepare and maintain routine records and reports using proper oral and written communication skills
• Estimate labor and material costs
• Calibrate and operate spray equipment safely
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations
• Lift heavy objects in awkward and confined spaces, using proper lifting and rigging techniques
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Perform heavy manual labor
• Meet schedules and time lines
• Operate, service and make minor repairs on equipment

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city that sits along the Puget Sound with a population of nearly 210,000. The third largest city in the state of Washington, it is a diverse, progressive international gateway to the Pacific Rim.

Propelled by significant developments such as the University of Washington Tacoma, the Tacoma Link light rail system, the restored urban waterfront of the Thea Foss Waterway, the expansions of both the MultiCare and Franciscan health systems, and a significant influx of foreign direct investment in its downtown core, Tacoma has evolved considerably since the 1990s.

Tacoma boasts the state's highest density of art and history museums, and is home to a flourishing creative community of writers, artists, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, chefs, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who each add their unique flair to the city's vibrant commercial landscape. The iconic Tacoma Dome has endured as a high-demand venue for some of the largest names in the entertainment industry.

A magnet for families looking for affordable housing options in the Puget Sound area, Tacoma also draws those who prefer to live in a more urban downtown setting with competitively priced condos and apartments that feature panoramic mountain and water views.

Tacoma's natural beauty and proximity to the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier draws hikers, runners, bicyclists, and maritime enthusiasts to the area. Its lively social scene is infused with energy by thousands of students attending the University of Washington Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound, the Evergreen State College Tacoma campus, and Tacoma Community College, as well as a number of local trade and technical colleges. Its prime location - just 20 minutes south of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 30 miles north of the state capital in Olympia, and within 10 miles of the U.S. Department of Defense's premier military installation on the West Coast - only adds to Tacoma's desirability. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

Interested individuals must complete the online application and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Candidates who are eligible for Veteran's Preference scoring criteria must attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application, to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference, with redacted birth date and social security numbers.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of three components: an assessment of responses to the Supplemental Questions on this job application, a written examination and an oral examination.

TESTING PROCESS:
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions scored as the Experience and Training Test.

Those who pass the Experience and Training test with a minimum score of 70% or higher will be placed on an Eligible List for hiring consideration for a period of one year. Any vacancy that comes up within the one year period of time will draw from candidates on the Eligible List for potential interview selection.

Per City of Tacoma Personnel Management Policy #170, the City of Tacoma is a drug-free work environment. Appointment is subject to passing a pre-employment background check, a pre-employment medical exam, drug screen and physical ability test, and references check. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Teamsters Local 117.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 before the closing date.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 5/20/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

Tacoma, Washington United States View Map