Park Assistant

Job Posting End Date:

October 23, 2026

Department:

PARKS AND RECREATION

Compensation Grade:

G16

Compensation Range & Starting Salary:

Pay Range: $36,940.80 - $57,574.40
Starting salary - Minimum of the Pay Range.

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):

No

About Us:

At Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, our success is because of our dedicated employees.  We are intentional about creating an employee experience where you are empowered to reach your full potential, are supported through strength-based initiatives, and are confident in your abilities. We champion a workplace culture built on our cultural foundations: Professionalism, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Citizenship.  These guiding principles of behavior cultivate a positive and high performing work environment.  Success is recognized and celebrated, and legendary experiences are the core of who we are.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:

Our Commitment

Work with the best – work for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation! Join our team and contribute to our 60+ year track record of providing legendary experiences! We are dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting our environment. We ensure all residents – regardless of their physical, social, and economic circumstances – can access our programs. By providing enriching and memorable lifelong experiences, we strive to enhance the quality of life for our community by improving the physical and mental well-being of our residents.

Representative Work Functions and Responsibilities

PARK ASSISTANT duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Assists with the overall supervision, operation, and maintenance of assigned major park sites.

Park Facility Maintenance and Management

• Performs and manages maintenance including, but not limited to, trash collection and disposal, shrub trimming, edging, raking, sweeping, power washing, painting, mowing, weed eating, athletic field preparation and custodial services.
• Clean and inspect park office, picnic tables, grills, playground equipment, trails, and restroom buildings, to ensure a safe, clean, and attractive park environment.
• Conduct inspections of various park amenities to include playgrounds, skate parks, vert ramps, outdoor fitness equipment, shelters, grounds, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and basketball courts, maintenance equipment and facility buildings.
• Inform and discuss with supervisor park maintenance and operational issues.
• Perform preventive maintenance on tools and equipment to ensure good conditions.
• Assist with maintaining inventory of tools, equipment, vehicles, and cleaning supplies. Assist other city personnel with landscape maintenance, environmental projects, volunteer projects, etc.
• Assist with supervising approximately 1-8 part-time or temporary staff at multiple park sites to include hire, schedule, evaluate, and discipline.
• Assists with the preparation of work schedules and written performance appraisal evaluations of subordinate staff
• Monitor and assist with daily work assignments of staff, community service workers and volunteers.
• Assist with training park employees in the use and care of maintenance tools, power equipment, utility vehicles, and city vehicles to ensure safe use Park/Outdoor Facility Operation.
• Report major park rule infractions and issues to supervisor to ensure a safe park environment is maintained at all times.
• Assist with shelter reservations and work with event organizers conducting events in the park.
• Responsible for attending on-site meetings to ensure that events are planned to park design and capacity.
• Monitor the use of recreation equipment and amenities by patrons to ensure it is being used in a safe and correct manner.
• Practice’s workplace safety.
• Explain City and department policies regarding conduct while on City Park property with violators to clarify misunderstandings.

Administrative

• Responsible for timely and accurate review and submission of time sheets.
• Monitor shelter reservations and permits daily via ActiveNet database to ensure site is prepared for group.
• Responds verbally to in-person and phone inquiries from the public to ensure quality customer service is maintained at all times
• Work is performed outside in all-weather to include extreme temperatures.
• Work schedules may be adjusted seasonally.
• Selected candidates must furnish and wear steel-toed safety boots.
• Selected candidates must have a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina.
• Driver’s License (a learner permit is not a valid driver’s license), pass a pre-employment physical and have a satisfactory background check.
• As a condition of employment, all employees must attend P&R Connection (Department Orientation). If selected for the position, you will be provided with an approximate training date at the time of hire. Training is held from 8:30am-5:00pm, every other Friday, at the Parks & Recreation Administration Building. When an exemption is permittable, a hybrid version of the training is available, but will require training attendance on a weekend.

Full Time Only

Alpha I

The position you are applying for is designated as Alpha I, requiring the selected candidate to work, regardless of the City’s operational status. All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Specialized Schedule

This position is a 7 day a week operation including early mornings, evening, weekend and holidays.

This position is primarily scheduled Monday -Friday but will have occasional assignments that can include weekends and holidays.

Additional requirements:
• DMV Transcript: Yes
• CDL: No
• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No
• CPS Check: No
• Physical: Yes
• Respirator: No
• Psychological Screening: No
• Polygraph: No
• At Will: No

Preferences:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the ideal candidate for this position will have experience listed in the preferences below. Candidates with the preferred experience should ensure the information is provided in the application.

• Knowledge and experience with parks/grounds maintenance practices and equipment
• Knowledge and experience with park/outdoor facility operations
• Special events experience
• Administrative experience and skill in the use of computers, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook to develop reports, schedules, inspections, etc.
• Strong customer service experience
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Experience with ActiveNet or similar scheduling/registration database

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please complete the application in its entirety and include your resume if required by the posting.

Your responses to any "Supplemental Questions", if attached to this requisition, must be supported by the information you provide on your application and/or resume; or otherwise demonstrated during the hiring process.

((Full Time))

The Perks

Employees who are new to the Virginia Retirement System are eligible for:

Annual Leave and Sick Leave

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Coverage

Legal and Identity Theft Protection

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Hybrid Retirement Plan & Basic Life Insurance

Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (COV457)

Basic Life Insurance

Optional Life Insurance

Wellness Programs

Employee Assistance Program / Work-Life Services

Paid Maternity/Paternity/Parental Care Leave

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of GED certificate and one (1) year experience in fields providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as park caretaker, groundskeeper, or park ranger; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Must have a current and valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs. May require a Commercial Driver’s License. This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, safety glasses, gloves, or other designated safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned. This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination.

Skills:

Working Conditions:

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business. 

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile.  Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.

https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.002104.1.pdf

Official Job Descriptions:

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.