Parks Specialist

**Job Summary**:
This position is responsible for performing intermediate technical, paraprofessional, and administrative work in the Parks and Facilities Maintenance Division. The work requires planning, coordinating, and directing contract maintenance services for the division. The position also assists with administrative support of the division's special projects.

The incumbent will report to the City Horticulturalist and collaborate with other members of the Parks and Facilities division staff to inspect a variety of contracts. This includes field inspections to ensure compliance with contract specifications and communication with contractors, citizens, and members of city staff.

**Essential Job Functions**:

- Assists with the following contract services and department responsibilities by conducting field inspections to ensure compliance with contract specifications and department standards. Incumbent will communicate with contractors and other applicable parties to ensure compliance.
- Tree planting, grounds maintenance, mowing, right of way flower and bulb plantings, turf maintenance, leaf removal, tree maintenance (pruning, removal, stump grinding), etc.
- Conducts regular inspections of parks and playgrounds and performs or schedules repairs as needed.
- Assists with the Street Tree Master Plan.
- Assists with mapping assets in ArcGIS.
- Coordinates with other City departments and divisions regarding contract services.
- Reviews all invoices pertaining to contracts and recommends payments as specified in the contracts.
- Assists with the planning, evaluating, and estimating of maintenance contracts and makes recommendations for change orders or additions to contracts.
- Maintains records and logs of all work and communications.
- Meets with organizations, citizens and other customers to determine maintenance needs.
- Prepares reports, creates drawings and sketches, writes memos, evaluates performance, and processes service requests.
- Assists with recommendations regarding integrated pest management, landscape design, and tree care.
- Investigates and ensures satisfactory resolution of citizen service requests.
- Assists with citywide special events, including but not limited to volunteer projects, memorial tree plantings, scout projects, stream cleanups, and community cleanup projects.
- Reviews site and topographic plans to determine maintenance requirements.
- Serves as a member of the emergency response team during weather-related and other emergencies. Assists with snow and ice removal as required.
- Inspects construction projects.
- Assists with the supervision of the Horticulture crew during the absence of the Horticulturalist.
- Assists the Parks and Facilities Management Team with special projects.
- Performs other duties as required.

**Qualifications**:
**Education and Experience**:
Associate's degree; and five (5) years of progressively responsible work supervising commercial landscape or grounds maintenance services; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

**Special Qualifications**:
Must be able to obtain the following certifications within one year of employment:

- Maryland Roadside Tree Care Expert
- Certified Playground Safety Inspector

**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**:

- Considerable knowledge of the principles of ground, landscape, and park maintenance services.
- Considerable knowledge of the materials, methods, operation of tools, and equipment used in varied grounds maintenance activities.
- Considerable communication, organization, relationship building, and time management skills.
- Knowledge of nursery stock, landscape design, tree pruning, integrated pest management, turf care, topography, and surface water drainage.
- Knowledge of preventive maintenance principles, hazard and safety precautions, and sound environmental practices.
- Ability to utilize Microsoft Office products like Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for organizing and sharing information.
- Knowledge of or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of ArcGIS software.
- Knowledge of or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of City government procedures, procurement, and contracting principles.
- Reliability and accuracy in the performance of duties.
- Skill to deal firmly, fairly, tactfully, and remain calm and courteous while dealing with contractors and the general public.
- Ability to enforce high standards in maintenance and contract services for customer satisfaction.
- Ability to perform duties with minimum supervision and independent, self-starting capabilities.
- Ability to effectively understand contract terms to plan, organize, provide feedback, and direct the work of a variety of contractors.
- Ability to understand and convey accurate explanations of City ordinances, policies, and regulations and the reasons therefore.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to make decisions recognizing established precedents and practice