Description

Position open until filled; first review November 14, 2025

Tentative Interview Date: December 4, 2025

NATURE OF POSITION

Train, schedule, and provide daily work direction to grounds maintenance staff assigned to the Park, Cemetery, or Golf maintenance divisions; perform skilled grounds maintenance work to improve, expand, and maintain City parks, cemetery, and golf locations. Assure the quality of plant materials to preserve aesthetic quality and usability of landscapes within the park system; plant, spray, fertilize, prune, irrigate and maintain lawns, plants, trees, shrubs, and landscaped areas.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General direction and oversight are provided by the Park Maintenance Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City's core values: Service - Integrity - Collaboration - Equity - Leadership - Community
2. Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals; actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
3. Effectively lead in a team environment, contribute openly, respectfully disagree, understand the ideas of others, listen well and work for consensus.
4. Provide extensive training and work direction to assigned grounds maintenance staff of the Park, Cemetery, and Golf maintenance divisions to accomplish urban forestry, green infrastructure, irrigation, ambassador, park, cemetery, and golf maintenance and operations according to industry standards; assign and review work completed and in progress to assure compliance with work orders and special project specifications.
5. Perform and oversee skilled landscape, ballfield and golf design, and construction projects in a wide variety of park, cemetery, and golf locations; including but not limited to soil grading and preparation; irrigation installation; plant material installation, seed and sow grasses and flowers, and lay sod; place ground cover and rock; cut and install pavers.
6. Perform and oversee skilled landscape, ballfield and golf maintenance duties including mowing, edging, raking, weeding, fertilizing, spraying, trimming and cutting down or transplanting trees and plants; aerate, top dress, overseed; thatch, sweep turf areas; prepare ballfields; drag fields, chalk and paint lines; playground equipment installation, inspection, repair, and maintenance.
7. Provide training and directions to assigned temporary and seasonal employees.
8. Perform and oversee for the safe and efficient operation of landscape construction and maintenance tools and equipment as assigned, including but not limited to excavator, backhoe, tractor, dump truck, snowplow, rototiller, aerator, sod cutter, chain saw, chipper, snow blower, casket hoist, and small hand and power tools. May operate heavy equipment requiring CDL.
9. If assigned to cemetery, perform and oversee a variety of grave site preparation activities for burial and interment services; open and close graves; set up tents, chairs, and other items for services; provide assistance to funeral directors as necessary; perform disinterment.
10. Perform and oversee the installation, repair, replacement, and service to irrigation systems; troubleshoot sprinklers and report malfunctioning sprinkler systems to appropriate personnel; direct and support in irrigation systems start-up and winterization.
11. Perform and oversee cleaning and sanitizing of restrooms and rental spaces; pick up litter and empty trash receptacles; blow hard surfaces clear of debris; haul and move picnic tables as required; inspect and address safety hazards and repair needs. Notify appropriate staff of hazards and repairs accordingly. Establish and maintain closures as necessary.
12. Perform and oversee minor and preventive maintenance and repair work on facilities, amenities and infrastructure; assist with other maintenance work as assigned including painting and staining. Arrange for and schedule extensive preventative maintenance and repair work.
13. Perform and oversee horticulture duties; review floral records and select new flowers according to established procedures; lay-out new flowers; monitor growth and health and train others in proper care; maintain flower beds and vegetation; pull weeds and assure proper irrigation.
14. Identify weeds or pests and determine appropriate chemicals for eradication; perform and oversee chemical applications assuring proper health and safety precautions. Maintain detailed and accurate records of all chemical and pesticide applications according to, and in compliance with Washington State and Federal regulations.
15. Conduct and evaluate soil tests and recommend fertilization of turf according to established procedures; lead, perform and oversee fertilizer applications to provide for proper applications; perform other assigned turf management duties.
16. Maintain records of work performed and prepare reports, including current and long-range planning issues, inventories, spray records, inspections, equipment usage, preventive maintenance and needed repairs; ensure appropriate materials and supply levels are maintained.
17. Perform seasonal grounds maintenance activities, including ice and snow removal and other projects.
18. Install and maintain holiday decorations in various locations.
19. Provide assistance to the general public and event organizers; support sponsored events on City grounds including downtown; act as an Ambassador of the City of Walla Walla.
20. Effectively interact with the general public, including incapacitated or unhoused individuals in public spaces and perform unhoused encampment clean-up according to established guidelines.
21. Follow federal, state, and local codes, laws, rules, and regulations related to cemeteries and human remains, including RCW Title 68.
22. Perform first aid and CPR according to established guidelines.
23. May provide general direction and assistance to the Department Administrative Specialist I in the cemetery office, not limited to locates, plot sales, burial scheduling, invoicing, and applicable record keeping.
24. Safely dispose of needles and drug paraphernalia, human feces, and other potentially infectious materials within established guidelines.
25. Provide input to performance appraisals for assigned staff as directed; recommend personnel actions as necessary; assume the duties of the Parks Maintenance Supervisor in the absence of the Supervisor.
26. Employees with CDL endorsement may provide back-up services for the Public Works Department and operate snow plowing equipment to remove snow; apply chemicals, salt, and sand to control ice.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance which is essential for successful job performance.
2. Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
3. Execute assignments, projects, and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.
4. Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
5. Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
6. Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Advanced landscape design, construction, maintenance knowledge, and best practices.
• Methods of identifying and caring for horticultural specimens under a variety of conditions.
• Plant biology and common and botanical names of trees, flowers, shrubs, and grasses.
• Insects, parasites, diseases, and weeds and the composition and uses of insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides.
• Cultivating, fertilizing, watering, pruning, and spraying of flowers, trees, and shrubs.
• Industry safety policies, procedures, and practices; related OSHA and WISHA, regulations and requirements.
• Records management and reporting as required by the State of Washington on all chemical applications within the parks system.
• Comply with the State of Washington and Federal regulations on all chemical applications.
• Apply fertilizer and chemicals safely.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Operate a computer terminal.
• Ability to proficiently operate irrigation timers and associated software.
• Effectively work in a team environment, contribute openly, respectfully disagree, understand the ideas of others, listen well and work for consensus.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Operate and utilize a variety of machinery and equipment including, but not limited to excavators, backhoes, tractors, dump trucks, snowplows, bucket trucks, chain saws, pruners, shears, weed eaters, sprayers and push and riding mowers. Computer terminal utilizing Microsoft Word and Excel, GPS, MUNIS payroll, Pontem, Baseline, Sentinel and other software or office functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Seeing, hearing and speaking to exchange information; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a variety of specialized grounds equipment and power and hand tools; reach overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; stand and sit for extended periods of time; walk over rough or uneven surfaces; bend at the waist; kneel or crouch; perform heavy physical labor such as digging; carrying, pushing, lifting heavy objects and pulling equipment; ability to lift up to 25 pounds, and up to 50 pounds with assistance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Outdoor environment in City parks, cemetery, and golf course; working in adverse weather conditions; regular exposure to dirt, dust, and pollen; subject to driving a vehicle to conduct work; working around and with machinery having moving parts.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma, or GED equivalent, plus four (4) years increasingly responsible experience maintaining turf, trees, shrubs and operating related equipment including at least one (1) year landscape and irrigation construction experience. Any equivalent combination of education and experience. Valid driver's license. First Aid and CPR certificate or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire date. Washington State Pesticide Applicator's license or ability to obtain will be required within one (1) year of hire date. Additionally, employees must have either (1) Class B commercial vehicle endorsement, or (2) Washington Backflow Assembly Tester Certification, or (3) Bachelor's Degree in Turf Management, Horticulture, or related field, or (4) any combination of education and experience. Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification may be required depending on assigned work zone.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Previous experience in landscape construction, landscape maintenance, cemetery maintenance, golf course maintenance, greenhouse, nursery, farming or agriculture as a lead or person-in-charge. Bilingual in Spanish.

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