Park Keeper III

POSTING TYPE: This posting is ONLY open for Dakota County Government employees (excludes temporary status).
DEPARTMENT: Facilities Management
HOURS: Full time
PREFERRED SALARY RANGE: $56,217 - $70,217
FULL SALARY RANGE: $56,217 - $87,839
LOCATION: Lebanon Hills Regional Park
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025

What You'll Do
The Park Keeper III is responsible for assisting the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor in maintenance functions for the Dakota County Parks and Facilities Department. Acts as lead person, giving work direction to full time and limited term staff. Coordinates work with contractors, institutional work crews and grounds maintenance and operational staff. Responsibilities include performing work planning, administering quotes and contracts, managing routine and deferred maintenance, training staff on safety and job related tasks, overseeing construction projects and landscaping improvements, and assisting operations, environmental education, and recreation staff with visitor service tasks. Responsible to carry out on-going special tasks and projects as assigned.

The position reports directly to the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor. The position performs duties of the Supervisor in his/her absence.

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

* One year of training and/or degree beyond high school focused on facility operations and maintenance, blueprint and construction drawing, tree care and maintenance.
AND
* Three years of grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, forestry, landscaping, and bituminous maintenance.
OR
* An equivalent combination of education and experience to equal or exceed 4 (four) years. Experience must be specific to grounds maintenance, such as turf maintenance, forestry, landscaping, and bituminous maintenance
AND
* Valid Class A Commercial Driver's license or the ability to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver's license within one year.

Preferred licenses and experience:
* MN Tree Inspector Certificate
* MN Chemical Applicators License
* Certified Playground Inspector
* Completed training and/or degree focused on facility operations and maintenance, blueprint and construction drawing, tree care and maintenance.
* Knowledge and ability to work on a computer to complete basic work tasks such as: create & send emails, open & modify word or excel documents, and perform basic internet searches. Intermediate knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Word and the internet is helpful.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

Maintenance and Construction Work-
1. Performs routine and highly skilled maintenance, repairs and construction to buildings, structures, and facilities. Performs heavy manual labor.
2. Responsible for implementing tree maintenance/management programs including work such as: identification, recording and control of diseased trees; trimming, and removal of trees
3. Responsible for performing landscape improvements including work such as: planting trees and shrubs, seeding, laying sod, grading and site restoration.
4. Responsible for maintaining turf areas, including tasks such as: mowing, over-seeding, aerating, spraying for weed control, and fertilizing.
5. Responsible for building and maintaining roads, trails, parking lots, utilities, retaining walls, bridges, and other facilities.
6. Snow plow County parking lots, roads, and trails with truck plow combinations, UTV, and/or tractor. Cross country ski trail grooming.

Personnel Management/Supervision-
7. Acts as a lead worker overseeing the effective implementation of maintenance personnel and responsibilities in the absence of the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor
8. Provides work direction to contractors and correctional labor crews.

Project Planning/ Implementation-
9. Serves as workgroup member on Division, Cross-Division, and Department Workgroups.
10. Plans and manages projects and requests staffing resources and equipment /material resources for specific maintenance projects.
11. Oversees inspection of parks and projects, observes problems needing correction, determines necessary response and schedules the corresponding work assignments. Assists in setting maintenance work priorities.
12. Develops and maintains an efficient system for the inventory of materials, parts and supplies, equipment, work accomplished, and personnel used in the daily maintenance of parklands and facilities.
13. Provides up-to-date information through daily communication. Clearly explains work assignments to assigned employees. Keeps Grounds Maintenance Supervisor informed of work accomplishments, problems, new developments, and status of operations.
14. Demonstrates the level of knowledge needed to do the work assigned. Trains staff in job tasks and equipment operation so they may correctly perform the maintenance work they are assigned to.
15. Coordinates with the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor to respond to emergencies. Is available for emergency and non-emergency work call out.

Budget/Funding
16. Assists Grounds Maintenance Supervisor in preparation of the annual maintenance budget request, researching needs, reviewing costs, and preparing documentation. Makes recommendations regarding the Capital Equipment Program and Budget Incentive Program.

Safety
17. Serve on Division Safety Committee to create County Policy and clarification of current Policies.
18. Reviews safety policy and ensure that personnel take the necessary precautions to perform work safely and that employees are using the proper safety equipment.
19. Conduct occasional safety presentations on appropriate topics.

Other
20. Perform other duties as apparent or assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: All duties are essential functions.

* Knowledge of practices, functions and procedures for higher skilled parks maintenance, repairs and construction tasks.
* Knowledge of State and Federal D.O.T. laws and regulations relating to the safe operation of motor vehicles and truck trailer combinations.
* Knowledge of safety rules, regulations and practices.
* Knowledge of daily and routine maintenance requirement of power tools, vehicles and equipment.
* Knowledge in the maintenance and management of turf grass, prairie, shrubs and trees including identification of trees, diseases and measures of control; proper use of fertilizers and chemicals.
* Knowledge and ability to implement landscape and facility projects which require skilled construction techniques and applications.
* Comprehensive technical knowledge of grounds maintenance, construction and stewardship of natural resources.
* Ability to operate County Fleet vehicles such as: truck trailer combinations, truck plow combinations, tractors, and UTV equipment.
* Ability and skill to operate power tools, vehicles, light and heavy equipment in a proficient and safe manner.
* Ability to perform heavy manual labor tasks requiring strength and coordination.
* Basic ability to read, understand and implement blueprints and construction drawings.
* Ability to work with minimal supervision, set priorities, and organize multiple work tasks.
* Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
* Ability to analyze and make or recommend solutions to maintenance and facility repair problems.
* Ability to set objectives and direct resources to accomplish those objectives.
* Ability to work in a team environment and effectively lead other staff, contractors and/or volunteers and projects.
* Ability to work effectively with employees, public officials, general public, and to manage personnel.
* Knowledge and ability to work on a computer to complete work tasks such as: create & send emails, open & modify word or excel documents, and perform internet searches. Intermediate knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Word and the internet is desired.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and calls on the ability to perform strenuous physical tasks on a daily basis. The posture and movement requirement for this position are: sitting, walking, bending/stooping, twisting on a frequent basis and reaching forward and push/pulling of objects on a continuous basis. Position requires repetitive/constant bending of the arm and frequent grasping of hands. Work tasks require frequent lifting and carrying up to 24 pounds and occasional lifting up to 74 pounds. Driving is required for this position and staff must have the ability to use a variety of mowers, tractors, pickup trucks, ATV's, UTV's, and boats.

Exposures may include, but are not limited to changing weather conditions, uneven and/or slippery surfaces, dust, dirt, oil, grease, solvents, fumes, noise and all hazards associated with an equipment repair shop. Position requires sensory demands of hearing, speech, near & far vision, tactile, and spatial perception. Equipment used but not limited to include: hand and power tools, shovels, sledgehammer, post hole diggers, weed whips, ladders, wheelbarrows, personal computer, personal safety equipment and any of a large list of light and heavy equipment.

Contact the Employee Relations Office (651-438-4435) if you are in need of a full report of physical and occupational demands of the Park Keeper position.

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks