Job Description

Parks Caretaker Turf & Irrigation

City of Kalispell

$23.71 Hourly

Kalispell, MT

Full-Time

Parks and Recreation Department

Continuous

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Class Title: Parks Caretaker Turf & Irrigation

Department: Parks Department

Union: AFSCME

Salary: $23.71 per hour

Benefits: 100% paid health insurance for employee & reduced rates for dependents. State retirement plan, 3-weeks' vacation, paid sick leave, 10 State and Federal holidays.

This position may be participating in a VEBA program.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Date: December 9, 2025

A. General Class Description:

Performs a variety of semi-skilled and technical tasks in the maintenance and operation of parks, grounds, open spaces, irrigation, urban forestry and recreation systems, with an emphasis on turf, irrigation, and arboriculture practices. Currently the position serves at the Kalispell Youth Athletic Complex for approximately nine months of the year while three months of the year are spent in urban forestry.

B. Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

General:

a. Work assignments are made both orally and in writing. Work is performed with considerable independence in judgment and decision making within established policies, procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines. Work is reviewed through observation, conferences, periodic reports and by the results obtained.

b. The following duties are typical for this classification. These are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Turf Management & Irrigation (70%):

a. Mows and maintain parks, open space areas, sports fields, mows weeds, cleans and maintains athletic facilities and equipment, and assists in the installation, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems.

b. Carries out leveling, seeding, fertilizing, top dressing, soil conditioning, watering, and pest and weed control of parks, open spaces and athletic fields.

c. Performs routine maintenance on lawn and power equipment, including but not limited to, tractors, trucks, trailers, and pruning equipment.

d. Maintains and adjusts specialized turf care equipment and tools, including electric motors, pumps, sprinklers, tractors, mowers, and irrigation systems.

e. Performs semi-skilled interior building maintenance such as painting, plumbing, carpentry, and other unskilled and semi?skilled work.

f. Inspects, washes, and performs routine maintenance of park drinking fountains and restrooms.

g. Sweeps, washes, paints, and repairs or replaces park tables, slabs, picnic shelters and pavilions.

h. Operates tractors, mowers, jackhammers, welders, trucks, steam cleaners, buffers, washers, and other listed equipment as needed.

i. Maintains current skills and knowledge in the proper and safe techniques of building and grounds maintenance functions.

j. Collects and disposes of solid waste from buildings and grounds; picks up litter from premises.

k. Opens and closes, locks and unlocks facilities as needed.

l. Assists in setting up and taking down equipment for various park and recreation programs, prepares facilities for park and recreation program use.

m. Installs and maintains goal posts and nets for sports facilities, including soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, tennis and basketball.

n. Assists in the construction of new parks facilities, including clearing, grading, drainage, and foundation work.

o. Keeps records of work completed.

Urban Forestry (20%):

a. Assist with the care, maintenance, and removal of trees and other vegetation on city property in accordance with International Society of Arboricultural standards & arboricultural Best Management Practices.

b. Conducts forestry activities from tree planting, tree pruning to tree care. Has a general knowledge of plant materials, tree species, planting, pruning and removal techniques.

c. Operate a variety of equipment and tools including aerial lift truck, chipper, stump grinder, chainsaw, backhoe, tree spade, and hand tools.

d. Properly setup work zone safety control along streets, sidewalks and work zones.

e. Utilize GIS and GPS in record keeping.

Peripheral Duties (10%):

a. Assists in the training and/or supervision of lower level employees or community service workers.

b. Serves as a member of various employee committees, as assigned.

c. Clears snow around city facilities during winter months.

d. Assists in the maintenance of the municipal swimming pool.

e. Various other duties as assigned.

C. Supervision Received:

Works under the general supervision of a Parks Supervisor or a Forestry Supervisor.

D. Supervision Exercised:

May act as a lead worker, and supervise community service workers or temporary employees as required and assigned.

E. Desired Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

a. Graduation from high school, GED or equivalent, and;

b. Graduation from a two year collegiate program in turf science, horticultural science, urban forestry, or similar, or

c. Three years of experience in turf irrigation maintenance, or urban forestry, or

d. Any equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

F. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

a. Working knowledge of equipment, materials and supplies used in turf maintenance and grounds maintenance; Working knowledge of equipment and supplies used to do minor repairs.

b. Knowledge of herbicides, pesticides and fertilization as it relates to turf management.

c. Knowledge of State and Federal laws governing chemical application.

d. Knowledge of irrigation principles.

e. Knowledge of soil principles as it pertains to turf management.

f. Knowledge of horticulture and arboriculture practices.

g. Working knowledge of urban forestry as it relates to proper planting and pruning techniques and use of equipment.

h. Skilled in the operation of listed tools and equipment.

i. Ability to work independently and to complete daily activities according to work schedule;

j. Ability to lift heavy objects, walk and stand for long periods of time, and to perform strenuous physical labor under adverse field conditions;

k. Ability to communicate orally and in writing;

l. Ability to use equipment and tools properly and safely; Ability to understand, follow, and transmit written and oral instructions;

m. Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and the public.

n. Working knowledge of first aid and applicable safety precautions.

G. Special Requirements:

a. Must have a valid Class D Driver's license upon date of hire.

b. Valid Montana Commercial Driver's License, Class B, Type 2 or must be able to obtain license within 6 months.

c. Montana Herbicide and Pesticide Applicators License or the ability to obtain one within 12 months.

d. Preference maybe given to someone that is a certified tree worker or aerial lift specialist through the International Society of Arboriculture or the ability to obtain with 12 months.

H. Tools and Equipment Used:

Pickup truck, applicator equipment, lawn and landscaping equipment, including tractors, skid steer, backhoe, loader, bucket truck, mowers, airifier, chain saw, edger's, weed trimmers, electric motors, pumps, sprinklers, irrigation systems; miscellaneous hand and power tools for turf maintenance, carpentry, painting, plumbing, pruning, electrical, and cement finishing work; pumps, boiler, valves, filtration devices, gauges, etc; janitorial equipment including floor buffers, steam cleaner, carpet cleaners, washers, vacuums, mops, brooms, and dusting equipment.

I. Physical Demands:

a. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

b. While performing

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