Parks Grounds Crew Leader (Playgrounds Unit/Parks and Recreation Department)

Job Description:

Parks Grounds Crew Leader (Playgrounds Unit/Parks and Recreation Department)

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus three (3) years of experience related to grounds keeping or general labor services, including at least one (1) year of crew experience.
• Experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• If assigned to operate vehicles, must possess the appropriate Texas Driver’s License for those vehicles.
• Certification/License may be required by trade or specialization.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Parks and Grounds Crew Leader positionis to lead personnel in the inspection and maintenance of playgrounds in park facility sites for the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

Other relevant duties include but are not limited to:

• Perform playground maintenance.
• Assist supervisors with daily work assignments, schedules and incidents.
• Perform low frequency safety inspections and addresses deficits.
• Drive a truck/trailer combo and other City of Austin service vehicles.
• Assist with planning and developing playground layout with contract vendors.
• Operate department maintenance equipment and hand tools.
• Assist the general public with questions/concerns.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) will be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Driver Safety Standards:
  This position requires candidate to possess a valid Texas Class “C” driver license or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. If you cannot meet these conditions, you may be deemed ineligible for this position.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant’s needs and safety issues. Work outdoors in any and all types of weather and/or inclement conditions.

Other Information:

• Posting Guidelines: PARD reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Pay Range
$22.82 - $25.78 per hour.
Hours
Work/Location Schedule Notes:

• Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m.. - 3:00 p.m..
• May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 04/08/2025 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location Central Maintenance Complex, 2525 S. Lakeshore Blvd., 78741 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience with installing, repairing, and replacing all play equipment, including nature play.
• Experience performing low frequency inspections to inspect all play equipment focusing on wear and tear, damage, maintenance needed etc.
• Experience with concrete work to include installing footers for structure poles and isolated spinning equipment.
• Experience driving a truck with a trailer and other utility vehicles (i.e. gators, ezgo’s etc.).
• Experience with commercial grade equipment including pressure washers tillers and skid steer.
• Experience using hand tools, powers tools and other maintenance equipment (i.e. push mowers, weed eaters, blowers, etc.).
• Experience using iPad or tablet to log inspections information.
• Experience with safety surface maintenance install-repair-replace, routine maintenance and preventative maintenance.

Preferred Licenses and Certifications:

• Certified Playground Safety Inspector License ( CPSI ) or Playground Maintenance Technician Certification ( PMT ) or have the ability to acquire.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Assigns, directs, and performs grounds maintenance tasks. Assigns, directs, and performs minor and major repairs. Maintains and repairs rockwork, concrete. Operates department equipment. Operates hand tools. Operates power tools. Assembles and dismantles portable stages and seating arrangements. Drives and operates vehicles. Assists supervisor with the development of work schedules and plans work activities. Assists the public with questions/concerns.

Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
• Fills in for supervisor in his or her absence.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of grounds keeping processes, policies, and procedures within the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Knowledge of equipment and vehicles used in grounds services.
• Knowledge of City practice, policy and procedures.
• Knowledge of construction techniques.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to operate power tools.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment or materials to assigned work area.
• Ability to read and follow floor plan sketches and diagrams.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus three (3) years of experience related to grounds keeping or general labor services, including at least one (1) year of crew experience. Experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum requirements?

• Yes
• No

* In reviewing the preferred qualifications section of this job posting, please describe in 500 words or less how you meet those preferred qualifications.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver license or, if selected for this position, do you the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver license by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* Are you related to any person employed by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department? If yes, please list the relative's name and relationship:
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents