City of Torrance Class Code: 5722	July 1995 (Revised)
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Definition

Under general supervision from supervisory personnel, leads, instructs, directs and works with a crew maintaining parks, parkways, medians, trees, recreational and park facilities, and City properties; transports and operates power mowers, tractors with attachments and other park maintenance and construction equipment; and does related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Distinguished from Park Maintenance Supervisor or Park Construction Supervisor in that a Senior Groundskeeper is not a full-time supervisor over crews maintaining parks and landscaped areas or constructing new park facilities. Distinguished from Park Equipment Operator in that a Senior Groundskeeper is not primarily assigned to operate a wide variety of power-driven maintenance and construction equipment. Distinguished from Groundskeeper in that an incumbent performs skilled park maintenance work and leads the work of a crew. Distinguished from Sprinkler and Backflow Technician in that a Senior Groundskeeper does not test back flow prevention devices nor perform highly technical repair to sprinkler controllers.

Example Of Duties

Works with and leads the work of a crew assigned to the following: planting, cultivating and trimming trees, shrubs, ground covers, and grass; maintaining parks, parkways, medians, trees, recreational and park facilities, and other City properties; mixing and applying pesticides and fertilizers as may be required;

Identifies park maintenance and horticultural problems and needs, and provides solutions for the problems and needs identified;

Instructs crew members in park maintenance, horticulture, safety procedures, department rules and operations;

Operates and transports power mowers, tractors with attachments and other equipment related to park maintenance and construction;

Checks and identifies problems with irrigation/sprinkling systems, pipelines and fountains, park facilities or various park maintenance equipment; performs various adjustments, repairs and maintenance on the above systems, facilities and/or equipment;

Selects plant, shrub and tree stock;

Aids park patrons and answers questions from the general public.

Completes and maintains simple work sheets, schedules and reports;

Communicates with supervisors regarding project status and employee performance, and assists supervisors with performance evaluations.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

General park maintenance procedures and the care of parkways, median strips, and landscaped areas;

Hand tools, power tools and equipment used in gardening, park maintenance, and construction;

Proper procedures for the care of plants, shrubs and grass;

Tree cultivating, pruning, shaping, trimming and maintenance methods and procedures for different tree species;

Scientific names for common plants, trees, shrubs, and grasses;

Various kinds of soil preparation in planting work and the use of different kinds of fertilizers;

Insects, parasites and fungi, and the pesticide sprays or other means for their extermination;

Irrigation/sprinkling systems and their repair;

Work safety procedures and practices.

Ability to:

Identify park maintenance and horticulture problems and needs, including the need for pesticide spray application;

Use hand-operated gardening tools, power tools, and equipment used in gardening, park maintenance and construction;

Safely transport and operate power mowers, tractors with attachments and other equipment related to park maintenance and construction;

Trim and prune shrubs and trees;

Physically perform duties requiring repeated bending, stooping and heavy lifting;

Follow safety rules and teach same to assigned helpers;

Follow oral and written directions;

Lead, instruct and monitor the work of a crew;

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and the general public;

Complete simple work sheets, schedules and reports;

Perform the four basic arithmetic operations;

Identify problems with irrigation/sprinkling systems, park facilities and equipment, and perform a variety of maintenance, repairs, and adjustments.

Experience/Education/Training

Three years of experience in the care and maintenance of plants, shrubs, trees, grass, landscaped areas encompassing sprinkler and irrigation systems, recreational areas, athletic fields, playgrounds and picnic facilities.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid Class A California Driver's License prior to completion of probation.