ORGANIZATION AND AREA INFORMATION: Nestled in the central part of Southeastern Arizona’s Gila Valley, the City of Safford is a thriving rural Arizona City. With a population of just over ten thousand, it is the largest municipality in Graham County. Incorporated as a town in 1901 and becoming a city in 1955, Safford has become the major hub for Southeastern Arizona. The City of Safford as an organization has multiple different departments and over 230 staff members including full time employees, seasonal employees, volunteer firefighters and councilmembers to staff all the different positions at the City. The City also provides all utilities for its residents and other residents in surrounding areas. In addition to the major utilities of gas, water, electric, sewer, and sanitation, the City has a landfill and airport that service the county.

SUMMARY: Under direct supervision, performs grounds keeping duties in the construction, beautification, and maintenance of City grounds such as parks, airport and the cemetery.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISITICS: This is the first level in a two-level group.  It is distinguished by the next level class by the absence of the ability to serve as a lead worker in the training and reviewing the work of others.  This position reports to the Parks Maintenance Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Applies herbicides and other chemicals (must be able to obtain State Pesticide/Herbicide Applicators License within 6 months of hire date).
• Mows, rakes, weeds, fertilize and aerate lawns and other landscaped areas.  Cleans areas around water ponds such as drainage structures.  Trims and prunes trees, flowers and shrubs; cuts down or transplants trees and shrubs, edges landscaped areas using equipment.  Picks up and removes trash from city properties.
• Maintains flowerbeds and vegetation in business areas, cemeteries, parks and other sites.  Pulls weeds and assures proper watering and irrigation.
• Performs swimming pool maintenance and repair.
• Inspects maintains and assembles playground equipment.
• Performs grounds maintenance at the City Cemetery such as grade settled areas, measures and stakes grave locations, check and maintains records related to cemetery work and lot location.
• Performs or assists with construction, cleaning and maintenance on equipment, facilities, and drainage systems.  Maintains, repairs various irrigation systems and timing mechanisms.
• Prepares and maintains routine records of work performed, including labor, equipment usage, preventative maintenance and needed repairs.
• Helps with community events.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience, Certifications and Licenses:

• High School diploma or equivalent GED certificate, or equivalent experience.
• Two (2) years work experience in grounds maintenance or any combination of training and work experience that provides the required knowledge and skills
• Valid State of Arizona Driver’s license
• State of Arizona Herbicide Applicators License within twelve (12) months of hire date. (Required to maintain employment)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain clearance to directly supervise inmates.
• Ability to obtain and retain Certified Pool Operator (C.P.O) certification, preferred.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of methods, equipment, tools and materials used in maintaining landscaped grounds.
• Knowledge of light vehicle and equipment operation.
• Knowledge of grounds maintenance procedures including mowing, edging, raking and weeding.
• Knowledge of hand and power tools and equipment used in landscape and grounds work.
• Knowledge of safe work practices.
• Skill in operating light vehicles, equipment, hand and power tools.
• Skill in performing grounds keeping duties such as mowing, edging, watering, weeding, fertilizing, and raking landscaped areas.
• Skill in applying chemicals for pest and weed control, pool maintenance, custodial work and building maintenance.
• Skill in understanding and following oral and written directions.
• Skill in observing health and safety regulations.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others.
• Skill in directing the activities of youth workers and inmates as assigned.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 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.

• Work is performed in a combination of indoor, outdoor and shop environment.  Subject to seasonal heat and cold, temperature changes or extreme weather conditions, and driving from site to site to conduct work.
• Subject to exposure to vapors from vehicle and equipment operation, dust, dirt, oil/grease, gases, solvents, working around and with machinery having moving parts, and working with pesticides, herbicides, and other hazardous chemicals.
• Subject to standing, walking over rough or uneven surfaces, climbing, bending, kneeling, or crouching, turning/twisting, pushing and pulling, reaching overhead and above shoulders and lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 75 pounds.