Parks and Recreation Laborer

Salary: $18.02 - $21.62 Hourly
Location : Kenai, AK
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: 00232
Department: Parks & Recreation Department
Opening Date: 12/18/2023
Closing Date: 1/1/2024 5:00 PM Alaska
Job Description
GENERAL DESCRIPTIONUnder the general direction and supervision of the Parks and Recreation Director, the Parks and Recreation Laborer assists with the maintenance of park grounds, facilities, and equipment in support of the Parks & Recreation Department. During the summer maintenance season (May - September), the Laborer performs and assists the Parks & Recreation Operators with the maintenance of parks, trails, gardens, and/or other landscaped areas. During the winter maintenance season (October - April), the Laborer performs and assists the Parks & Recreation Operators with tasks such as hydrant clearing, grooming ski trails, and other general maintenance tasks. The employee is sometimes required to work independently under general supervision. Knowledge of grounds and landscape maintenance practices, methods, procedures, tools and equipment used in horticultural work is required.
NORMAL HOURS/WK.: 40 hours/week (Summer: Sunday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Winter: Sunday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday -Thursday 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Remove snow from hydrants and sidewalks utilizing hand tools and/or mechanical devices. Assist with other snow removal operations as directed, including removing snow from residential driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and outside skating pond utilizing hand tools and/or machinery.
2. Perform horticultural activities including turf maintenance, bed preparation, planting, transplanting, watering, weeding, cultivating, mulching, pruning, fertilizing and maintenance of trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials according to standard horticultural practices and as directed; mow assigned areas using small to mid-size mowers.
3. Groom ski trails using snow machine to tow mechanical devices in order to level, scarify, roll, renovate, and condition the trails and set classic tracks; assist with marking of course by setting and removing survey stakes.
4. Perform general maintenance, repairs, and upkeep to park, recreation, and beautification facilities and equipment as directed; level and scarify sports fields, including setting and inspecting bases and push mowing and painting foul lines; remove sand from turf areas using mechanical rotary brooms and hand tools; remove litter and debris; haul refuse from park property and pick up recyclable material as directed.
5. Install and remove winter and summer decorations including street banners with the use of bucket truck and ladders; provide routine maintenance of banners and decorations as directed.
6. Maintain daily, written records for the purpose of tracking, reporting and documentation of maintenance activities.
7. Perform weed and pest control through mechanical means or use of chemical control measures as directed.
8. Safely operate and maintain small and large equipment such as tractors, riding mowers, hand mowers, snow blowers, snow machine, plow trucks, and water trucks.
9. Assist with winterization of outdoor facilities, plants, and trees including wrapping/unwrapping trees.
10. Pick-up and deliver material/supplies, documents, and freight as directed.
11. Work cooperatively with other City Departments, employees, City contractors, and the general public.
12. Work with various volunteer groups as directed.
13. Attend meetings, department training, and other continuing education programs.
14. Have regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work.
15. Perform job duties with minimal or no supervision.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
2. Possess or obtain a valid Alaska driver's license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a City vehicle. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request
3. Must be available to work varying schedules including weekends, City holidays, and occasional shift extensions. The schedule will vary seasonally based upon a 40-hour work week, with the expectation that the employee will work weekends and after traditional City business hours.

Supplemental Information
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience working with different types of power tools and mechanized grounds and garden maintenance equipment.
2. Experience in landscape maintenance, construction, and horticultural in a governmental, commercial, or private industry

WORKING ENVIRONMENTThe work environment is typically out of doors where the employee must do work that is sometimes strenuous in all kinds of weather (e.g., high or low temperatures, fog, direct sunlight, wind) and in dirt and dust. Work is to be performed at above, or below floor or ground level. Some work is performed indoors in spaces that are adequately heated and lighted. The employee often handles unsanitary material and performs hazardous operations requiring personal protective equipment. The employee is required to drive a vehicle. Noise from mowers, snow machine, and other equipment is frequent. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures.
PHYSICAL DEMANDSThis position requires a moderate level of physical ability including vision, hearing, speaking, flexibility, and strength. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to climb ladders and stairs; is required to perform general duties that may include, but not be limited to, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, pushing, pulling, reaching, dragging, and carrying; is required to use hands and fingers dexterously to operate power equipment and gardening implements (including power mowers, weed trimmers, shovels, rakes, etc.); is required to exert (often lifting) up to 50 pounds of force frequently and in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally.
The employee will be regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods of time and work in bent/hunched positions on the ground. Specific vision requirements include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. The employee must be able to hear and to talk and communicate verbally in person.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.
The following information describes benefits available to City of Kenai employees working 30 hours or more per week. Actual benefits received may differ by position type or be prorated for other than full time work. All benefits are subject to change by the City.
Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit or defined contribution plan based upon employee eligibility upon hire*
• Supplemental Retirement Program six months after date of hire. Employer contribution of 4% of the first $37,500.00 of base wages earned in a calendar year
• Option to enroll in a Deferred Compensation Program

Insurance Benefits

• Health Insurance Coverage 30 days after date of hire
• Employee and Dependent Coverage Available
• Employer Contribution of 87% Medical/Vision/Dental Plan Costs
• Employee Contribution of 13% Medical/Vision/Dental Plan Costs
• Employer HRA Contribution for medical deductible and prescription co-pay

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance with supplemental coverage available for employee and dependents
• Employee-funded Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
• Employee Paid Group-Based Supplemental Insurance

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Annual Leave Accrual Rate starting at 7.3846 hours each pay period (10.3385 for certain Fire Department employees) with an accrual rate increase based on longevity
• Eleven paid holidays each year
• Paid Leave for a Death in the Immediate Family upon approval
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness Program includes free use of the Kenai Recreation Center
• Bona Fide Employer-Sponsored Medical Leave Sharing Arrangement

*The City of Kenai does not withhold Social Security taxes from wages earned by employees who participate in the PERS retirement system.
01
Do you have or have the ability to obtain a valid, unrestricted Alaska driver's license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a City vehicle?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you available to work varying schedules including weekends and City holidays plus occasional shift extensions?

• Yes
• No

Required Question