Parks Worker I

Description

PARKS WORKER I

Regular Full-Time Employment Opportunity

The final filing date is Monday, September 29, 2025 by 5:00 pm.

The City of Sunnyvale is currently recruiting for a Parks Worker I who, under general supervision, performs a variety of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled tasks in the construction, repair and maintenance of park and open space facilities, structures and grounds. This position requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent, some heavy manual labor experience and a Class C driver's license with a safe driving record.
Please note: Only the first 100 qualified and complete applications will be considered for this position . A complete application consists of a city application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

The eligibility list created from this recruitment may be used for future Parks Worker I vacancies within the City

Under supervision of an assigned supervisor, performs a variety of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled tasks in the construction, repair and maintenance of park and open space facilities, structures and grounds; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Parks Worker I is the entry-level in the Parks Worker series. Initially, incumbents perform assigned duties under immediate supervision while learning job tasks. Parks Worker I is distinguished from the Parks Worker II classification by the performance of less than the full range of duties assigned to the Parks Worker II.

Parks Worker II is an experienced journey-level classification in the series. Incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of duties associated with the performance of park construction and maintenance activities. Parks Worker II is distinguished from the higher-level Parks Worker III in that the Parks Worker III is the advanced journey level in the series responsible for providing technical and functional supervision to Parks Workers. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the I level once the incumbent meets the qualification standards of the II level, demonstrates an ability to perform the full scope of work, and meets performance expectations. Incumbents are not automatically promoted to the higher level; the needs of the department determine the level of assignment.

Parks Worker III is the advanced journey level in the Parks Worker series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, supervision of parks workers, complexity of duties assigned and independence of action taken. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series. Parks Worker III is distinguished from the higher-level Parks Leader in that the Parks Leader is responsible for providing technical and functional supervision to a crew of assigned personnel.

Click here to view the full job description for Parks Worker I/II/III.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Performs a variety of unskilled duties which may include, litter removal and custodial duties such as sweeping, mopping, buffing, waxing, checking heating and air conditioning, and maintaining and repairing parks buildings and furnishings.
• Irrigates, mows, weeds, trims and fertilizes lawns and landscaped areas; plants, waters and maintains various vegetation such as bushes, trees, flowers, shrubs and lawns; trims and prune bushes.
• Prepares and maintains athletic fields and related facilities; opens and maintains skate park.
• Repairs and replaces irrigation systems; modifies irrigation schedules as necessary.
• Clears debris and leaves by raking or using power blowers to clear walkways, paths, and other parks/recreational facilities.
• Performs basic construction, carpentry, plumbing, and painting tasks; cleans and re-stocks bathroom facilities; loads brush trimmings, rubbish, paper, and trash onto trucks for appropriate disposal.
• Performs rough concrete work; repairs existing concrete pads, pathways and walls.
• Applies herbicides, fungicides and pesticides in a safe and effective manner.
• Installs, inspects and repairs playground equipment, picnic tables, barbecues and other related parks/recreational equipment; refers to appropriate staff for further attention.
• Troubleshoots and makes minor electrical repairs to light fixtures, ballasts, outlets and related equipment.
• Plants, maintains and removes trees and shrubs.
• Prepares and maintains annual and perennial ground covers.
• Operates various equipment involved in the maintenance of parks, including gang mowers, light tractors with attachments, dump trucks, front-end loaders, concrete saws, wood routing machines, air compressors, jack hammers and roto-hammers.
• Fertilizes and aerates turf areas; mows, trims and edges lawns and greens.
• Identifies and resolves or reports hazards.
• Maintains maintenance records.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when operating assigned equipment. Acute hearing is required in both the field and the office. The ability to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 100 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent may be exposed to fumes, dust, chemicals, biohazard materials and air contaminants. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles, work in confined spaces and work in heavy traffic conditions and inclement weather conditions, such as wet, heat and cold. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

The base salary for this classification includes pay for potentially hazardous duties as listed in the essential job functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

Parks Worker I

Graduation from high school or tested equivalent; AND
Some experience in heavy manual labor.

Parks Worker I/II/III classes are flexibly staffed. Positions at the II level are normally filled by advancement from the I level, and at the III level by promotion from the II level. Employees must successfully complete a department-designed training program, acquire all related certificates and/or licenses required, and possess a minimum of two years of experience equivalent to that of a Parks Worker I to advance to II, or three years to advance to III, including at least one year as a Parks Worker I with the City of Sunnyvale to progress from I to II, and eighteen months as a Parks Worker I with the City of Sunnyvale to progress from II to III. Under guidance of supervisory personnel, each Parks Worker I will pursue a career development plan and monitor the related training schedules until he/she obtains all the basic and specialized classes and field training required of the Parks Worker II position. Refusal to attend mandatory training sessions or failure to complete successfully such a session within stated time constraints may be viewed as failure to meet the conditions of employment or the probationary period. Pursuit of the Parks Worker III classification is optional and requires completion of additional requirements.

Knowledge of:

Parks Worker I

• Common hand tools, equipment and materials used in the construction and maintenance of park and open space facilities.
• Safe work practices.
• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Perform routine and semi-skilled tasks in a variety of maintenance and construction activities.
• Perform heavy physical labor.
• Learn semi-skilled carpentry, electrical and plumbing work.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Learn to safely operate a variety of equipment.
• Provide excellent customer service to the public and other City employees.
• Establish and maintain and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in the performance of duties.
• Work independently and as a team member; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.

Willingness to:

Wear a uniform.
Wear personal protection equipment.
Travel to various locations with the City.
Perform on-call duty assignments and call-back work as required.
Work irregular hours, shifts and weekend.

Licenses/Certificates:

For Parks Worker I/II/III
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
For Parks Worker I/II/III

• Work experience in a municipal setting
• Qualified Applicators Certificate for Pesticides issued by the State of California
• College level courses in Horticulture, Landscape Construction and related fields
• Tree Worker's Certificate.

Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources no later than 5:00 pm on Monday, September 29, 2025. Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of an oral examination scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025 ( Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources).

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the Department of Public Works tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Selection interviews will typically take place in-person, please plan accordingly.

Any candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a comprehensive background investigation, as well as medical exam(s) administered by a City-selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate’s expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees Association SEA

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.

Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees AssociationSEA

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 9/29/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Sunnyvale

• 408-730-3017

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