Parks and Recreation Laborer

GENERAL SUMMARY: Under general supervision, repair, upgrade, and maintain parks, grounds, buildings, and park structures, including, but not limited to pools, athletic fields and playgrounds; operate equipment or drive trucks; perform skilled work depending on level of experience and training, and needs of the department; work independently, in pairs, and/or in teams; support special events; cooperate with seasonal staff and program personnel; respond to public inquiries and complaints in a professional manner; communicate with Parks and Recreation Director on a regular basis.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Operate equipment or drive truck, with little or no supervision or guidance, including mower, leaf blower, plows, back-hoe, chipper, chain-saws, loader, weedwhacker, drill, wrench;

• Perform a variety of parks maintenance projects in a safe and timely manner, in accordance with seasonal demands and department priorities.
  
  
  
  1. landscape grounds, gardens and trails, g., create and clean out beds for planting; seed, plant, aerate, prune, mulch, water, fertilize, weed; trim trees and shrubs; apply pesticides; mow grass, fill holes, plant trees and shrubs, fix fences;
  
  
  2. remove trash, graffiti, and fallen debris; collect leaves, e., rake and gather leaves, load, and unload truck; change can liners; provide dog clean-up bags;
  
  
  3. clear ice, snow and debris from park streets, sidewalks, walking paths, and parking lots; cordon off slippery or dangerous areas; identify and remove fallen and hazardous trees;
  
  
  4. winterize buildings, e.g., blow out air and water from pipes, utilize antifreeze, and salt; measure ice on pond to ensure safe skating;
  
  
  5. clear storm drains; repair wash outs from floods or storms; repair sinkholes
  
  
  6. install, inspect repair and maintain playground equipment, e.g., assemble, examine structures and surfaces, document;
  
  
  7. support programming, e.g., setup and cleanup program spaces; sweep; load supplies; operate sound system and setup lights when necessary;
  
  
  8. prepare swimming pool start-up and winterization; maintain pool, e.g., plaster, clean, install pump, fix leaks, repair valves, check pH and read digital chlorinators, and fire extinguishers, CO2;
  
  
  9. prepare and help maintain stadium, athletic fields, including tennis courts, basketball courts, and baseball diamonds, pavilion, grandstand concession stands and all park amenities;
  
  
  10. deploy, construct and remove structural features at parks and other borough properties e.g., tables, chairs, canopies, shelters, signs, bulletin boards, benches, ramps, guard rails, etc;
  
  
  11. perform basic carpentry, painting and masonry; pour and break-up concrete; perform electrical and plumbing tasks;
  
  
  12. maintain equipment, e.g., grind, sharpen and change blades, tune up vehicles, refill fluids, change oil, repair bearing belts, and conduct minor repairs.
  
  
  
  

• Perform non-routine maintenance for park facilities; change light bulbs, clean rest rooms, perform minor repairs and preventative maintenance.

• Scan surroundings of work project to determine flow of traffic, weather conditions and other hazards to take appropriate steps to improve safety of work unit; participate in safety programs to remain current in safety practices, procedures and equipment; document MSDS sheets for chemicals, playground safety, and fire equipment.

• Interact with public and respond to questions and complaints in a professional manner; supervise and equip volunteers and community service helpers, such as Eagle Scouts and Merck employee volunteers, on targeted projects; patrol grounds.

• Responsible for purchasing minor equipment or materials for operations from approved locations, e.g., gas for vehicles; meet vendors, contractors when professional repairs are needed; responsible for cell phone and other Borough supplies.


• Check and record inventory items needed to maintain facilities, e.g., salt, tiles, swings, helmets.