Park Technician - Facilities

Nature of Work

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact on the community and the environment, working as a Park Technician at the City of Bellingham could be a great way to do that. Plus, the added benefits like paid tools, training, certifications, and annual pay increases make it an even more attractive offer.

 
At the City, our Park Technician - Facilities perform a variety of skilled technical duties and physical labor associated with inspection, maintenance and cleaning of park restrooms, facilities, and equipment. Provides responsive, high quality customer service; prepares park facilities for scheduled activities, maintains reservation records and secures park facilities and gates. Conducts cleanup of park grounds and facilities including collection and disposal of litter, sanitary hazards, dog waste and other debris as well as maintenance of garbage and recycling stations. Inspects grounds, buildings, and playground equipment for safety hazards. Educates, informs and advises park users of park regulations to encourage voluntary compliance; and performs general repair and maintenance activities including addressing vandalism and removal of graffiti. Maintains records as required by City policy, state and local laws. Works collaboratively with other teams within the Park Operations Division and staff from other City departments to meet program goals and objectives.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: 
 

This position will start at Step 1 ($30.54/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $30.54 - $37.39. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures. 

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
 

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 3/10/2025 4:30 PM Pacific Time 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

1. Prepares park facilities such as community buildings, picnic shelters and pavilions with commercial kitchens for scheduled activities, events, or reservations. Maintains reservation records. Accommodates special requests such as water, electricity, and movement of park furnishings.
2. Cleans and sanitizes park restrooms and fixtures, empties trash containers, picks up litter, cleans park furniture such as picnic tables, benches, and grills and hard surfaces such as sports courts, sidewalks, roads, parking areas, and picnic shelter/pavilion flooring. Replaces paper products and restroom supplies daily.
3. Inspects park grounds, playground equipment, and park buildings daily. Reports property damage, storm damage or vandalism to supervisor on an Incident/Intentional Damage form. Inspects condition of playgrounds on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Inspects stormwater components such as catch basins.
4. Answers inquiries and advises/informs the public of park rules, regulations and reservation policies. Issues notices to illegally parked vehicles. Works cooperatively with the Police Department to request assistance for serious enforcement issues that cannot be resolved.
5. Provides work direction and training to lower classified staff as assigned.
6. Ensures that all playground equipment is safe and properly maintained; maintains, repairs, or replaces playground components and fall surfacing as needed. Orders replacement parts and ensures appropriate inventory is on hand.
7. Performs general building maintenance tasks independently as needed. Assists with major repair and new construction work on park buildings, structures, and equipment involving carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and other building trade skills. Reports major facility maintenance issues to supervisor or Park Specialist.
8. Responds to and performs cleanup and removal of litter, spills and other waste including sanitary hazards from park grounds and facilities. Uses appropriate infection control materials and techniques.
9. Maintains, purchases and monitors inventory of cleaning and sanitation supplies maintenance materials, and equipment.
10. Performs lockup and security functions in parks including locking/unlocking of restrooms, picnic shelters, pavilions, bollards, and park gates as assigned. Reports on any unauthorized occupants, illegal activity, or suspicious circumstances. Utilizes appropriate de-escalation techniques as needed.
11. Operates tractor/backhoe, 1-ton trucks, forklift, motorized lift, trailers, and other specialized equipment or power tools including chainsaws as assigned.
12. Clears parks, trails, parking lots and pathways to provide safe access after storm events. Removes snow/ice by hand or using power equipment from sidewalks, stairs, driveways, parking lots, entryways, and grounds.
13. Removes graffiti from park buildings, furnishings, signs, and sidewalks using cleaning chemicals or with power equipment.
14. Conducts property utility locates and installs park signage and other furnishings as part of assigned projects.
15. Completes work orders, inspections, and other reports as requested using a computerized maintenance management system. Uses work order management system to record hours and tasks completed by other seasonal staff. Adheres to maintenance standards and levels of service as defined by park management.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Works closely with other teams in Park Operations Division to perform park maintenance and repairs related to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.
2. Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions on irregular terrain. Occasional work indoors at a desk or computer terminal or to attend meetings or training. Frequent exposure to unpleasant odors, dust, and other potential hazards and waste/garbage in park settings. General safety precautions are followed for the majority of these hazards. Special safety precautions are considered for moderate risk waste clean-up and disposal. Safety precautions also extend to the daily operation of City vehicles and power equipment while performing duties. May transport objects weighing up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis. Work entails the use of chemical cleaners and agents; may be exposed to noise and airborne particles.
 
Frequently interacts with the public and with other park professionals in the field. May be exposed to hostile behavior, offensive language, or interactions with volatile individuals.
 
Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment, wear a variety of protective clothing such as coveralls, high visibility clothing, rain gear, safety boots, safety glasses and gloves, and follow standard safety practices.


Physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, including:

• Frequently communicate accurate information and ideas to others;
• Ability to operate power equipment safely.
• Ability to perform physical work including operating mechanical equipment for extended periods of time.
• Must traversing uneven terrain, working above ground, and inside, under and above equipment, buildings, facilities equipment in outdoor environments. .
• Ability to regularly transport objects up to 50 lbs., including small equipment and supplies. Equipment and materials in excess of this weight are moved with assistance.
• Occasionally operate a computer and other office machinery such as a keyboard, mouse, phone, and computer;
• Occasionally remains stationary for long periods of time;

Experience and Training

• Two years of janitorial and building maintenance work experience.
• Willingness and ability to work in environments where exposure to moderate risks may be present while cleaning park facilities including public restrooms/showers.
• One year of experience providing service and assistance to the public required with demonstrated ability to effectively interact with a variety of populations.
• Intermediate computer skills including word processing, email and basic data entry required.
• Experience performing general maintenance activities such as carpentry, painting and plumbing preferred.
• Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) is preferred.
• Associate degree or two years of coursework in park/facilities management or similar field may be substituted for one year of professional janitorial experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Valid Washington State driver's license by the time of hire with proof of good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire.
• Employment is contingent upon passing a criminal background check and child and adult abuse records check.
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Ability to secure and maintain a valid First Aid and CPR certification within (1) one year of hire.
• Must be willing to work evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Must obtain flagging/traffic control card or forklift certification within 12 months of hire.
• Must obtain Playground Maintenance Technician Certificate within two (2) years of hire.
• Must obtain Certified Custodial Technician Certificate within 12 months of hire.
• Must obtain Verbal Judo/De-escalation Training within 12 months of hire.
• Must complete City Chainsaw Safety Training within 12 months of hire.

Selection Process

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
 
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

 
Application Review Process:

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around March 11, 2025.
2. Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating.  Applicant status will be updated on or around March 20, 2025.  
3. The top ten (10) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of March 31/April 1, 2025.  Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.
4. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following Experience and Training Rating (40%) and Oral Board Interview (60%).

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in the Parks Department. This position is represented by a union.  

If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form (Download PDF reader) and upload it to your application with your DD214. 

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
 
Fair Hiring Practices
 

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.