Description
NATURE OF POSITION
Perform a variety of grounds maintenance work to improve, expand, and maintain City parks, cemetery, and golf locations; plant, spray, fertilize, prune, irrigate and maintain lawns, plants, trees, shrubs and landscaped areas; clean and perform minor maintenance of equipment, buildings and other park features; and assist with other grounds maintenance projects.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Supervision is provided by the Park Maintenance Supervisor; general direction and oversight are provided by the Grounds Maintenance Worker III – Lead.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City’s core values: Service - Integrity - Collaboration - Equity - Leadership - Community
- Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals; actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
- Perform skilled landscape, ballfield and golf course design and construction duties 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.
- Perform skilled landscape, ballfield and golf course maintenance duties including mowing, edging, raking, weeding, fertilizing, spraying, trimming and cutting down or transplanting trees and plants; aerate, top dress, overseed; thatch and sweep turf; prepare ballfields; drag fields, chalk and paint lines; coordinate and assist with playground equipment installation, repair, and maintenance. Employees with playground safety inspector’s certification will conduct inspections.
- Train and provide directions to assigned temporary and seasonal employees.
- Provide for the safe and efficient operation of landscape construction and maintenance tools and equipment as assigned, including but not limited to excavator, backhoe, tractor, snowplow, rototiller, aerator, sod cutter, chain saw, chipper, snow blower, casket hoist, small hand and power tools.
- If assigned to cemetery, perform 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.
- Assist in the installation, repair, replacement, and service of irrigation systems; inspect functionality of sprinklers and report malfunctioning sprinkler systems to appropriate personnel. Effectively operate various irrigation controllers. Assist in irrigation systems start-up and winterization as directed.
- Maintain flower beds and vegetation; pull weeds and assure proper irrigation.
- Clean and sanitize public 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 notify appropriate personnel of general safety hazards and repair needs.
- Perform minor and preventive maintenance and repair work on facilities, amenities and infrastructure; assist with other maintenance work as assigned including painting and staining.
- Perform horticulture duties; review floral records and select new flowers according to established procedures; lay-out new flower plantings; monitor growth and health.
- Apply chemicals 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.
- Apply fertilizers and provide for proper applications; perform other assigned turf management duties.
- Maintain routine records of work performed, including labor, equipment usage, preventive maintenance and needed repairs.
- Perform seasonal grounds maintenance activities, including ice and snow removal and other projects.
- Install and maintain holiday decorations in various locations.
- Provide assistance to the general public and event organizers; support sponsored events on City grounds including the downtown; act as an Ambassador of the City of Walla Walla.
- Effectively interact with the general public, including incapacitated or unhoused individuals in public spaces and perform unhoused encampment clean-up according to established guidelines.
- Follow federal, state and local codes, laws, rules and regulations related to cemeteries and human remains, including RCW Title 68.
- Perform first aid and CPR according to established guidelines.
- Safely dispose of needles and drug paraphernalia, human feces, and other potentially infectious materials within established guidelines.
Other Job Functions
- Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance which is essential for successful job performance.
- Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
- Execute assignments, projects and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.
- Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
- Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
- Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- General landscape design, construction, and maintenance knowledge and best practices.
- Cultivating, fertilizing, watering, and spraying of turf, flowers, trees, and shrubs.
- Industry safety policies, procedures, and practices; related OSHA and WISHA regulations and requirements.
- Maintain records and prepare reports, including detailed records 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.
- Operate a computer terminal.
- 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 landscape construction and maintenance machinery and equipment including, but not limited to excavators, backhoes, tractors, snowplows, chain saws, pruners, shears, weed eaters, sprayers, and push and riding mowers. Utilize computers and software such as 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, including on a lawn mower; 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 one-year experience maintaining turf, plants, trees and irrigation, and operating related equipment or 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 the ability to obtain will be required within one (1) year of hire date. Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification may be required depending on the assigned work zone.
Desired Qualifications
Experience working in landscape construction, landscape maintenance, cemetery maintenance, golf course maintenance, greenhouse, nursery, farming or agriculture. Graduate of an accredited vocational program in turf management or related field. Washington Backflow Assembly Tester Certification. Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification. Bilingual in Spanish.
This organization participates in E-Verify, click the link below to view more information:
Click here to see more information regarding E-Verify
AFSCME 1191W Employees
Summary Of Benefits
The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time AFSCME 1191W (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) City of Walla Walla employees. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through the City Council or administrative action, contracts or changes mandated by state and federal law.
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Employees are eligible the first of the month following the first day of employment.
Employees and all eligible dependents are covered for Medical, Dental, and Vision for only
$231.03/month.
Low-Deductible Plans
Medical – 4 plans to select from:
- Regence Blue Shield HealthFirst 250
- Kaiser (HMO) 200
High-Deductible Plans – eligible for H.S.A (City annually contributes $750 for an individual and $1500 for a family)
- Regence Blue Shield High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
- Kaiser High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) HMO
Dental – Delta Dental of Washington PPO. $2,000 per year max; Class I, II and III no deductible. Orthodontia paid at 50% max lifetime payment of $1,500 per covered member.
Vision – VSP and AWC Plan B. Well Vision Exam every 12 months - $0 copay. Prescription glasses $10 copay, plus various allowances for frames, lenses, and contacts.
Hartford Life Insurance
Employees are eligible the first of the month following the first day of employment.
City paid: $50,000 Basic Life Insurance and $50,000 AD&D coverage.
Employee Voluntary: Supplemental Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability coverage available at low premiums.
Deferred Comp
Employees are eligible with their first paycheck upon enrollment. No vesting requirements.
The City will match an employee’s monthly contribution up to 3.5% of the employee’s monthly base rate of pay. Three options include Baker Boyer Bank - BPAS, MissionSquare, or the Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). Employee contribution options for pre-tax and Roth.
Retirement Plan
AFSCME employees (except for Emergency Services Dispatchers) are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. Rates effective as of 07/01/2025. (www.drs.wa.gov)
PERS
Employee Contribution Rate
Employer Contribution Rate
Plan II
5.38%
5.58%
Plan III
Employee Choice
5.58%
(6 available options)
Emergency Services Dispatchers, hired after June 1, 2024, will be enrolled into Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) Plan 2 retirement program through DRS.
PSERS Employee Contribution Rate Employer Contribution Rate
Plan II 6.91% 7.11%
Paid Holidays
On January 1, each employee is eligible for 11 paid holidays per year as outlined below. Employees hired during the year are eligible for any remaining holidays following their start date.
New Year’s Day
Labor Day
Martin Luther King Day
Veterans Day
President’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Memorial Day
Day after Thanksgiving Day
Juneteenth
Christmas Day
Independence Day
Floating Holiday Hours
On January 1, each employee shall be granted thirty-two (32) floating holidays. Employees hired during the year shall receive prorated floating holiday hours following their start date. Floating holidays must be used by year-end or will be forfeited.
Vacation Time
Full-time employees earn vacation leave in increments as outlined below. Vacation leave may be used as accumulated after completion of the initial (6) six months of employment. As of December 31st, no employee shall have an accumulated amount of vacation leave in excess of 240 hours. Additionally, employees may elect to cash out up to forty (40) hours of vacation time each year, provided the employee has taken forty (40) hours of vacation during the preceding calendar year.
Vacation Accrual per Month
0 – 4 years
5 – 9 years
10 – 15 years
16+ years
6.67 hours
10 hours
13.33 hours
16.67 hours
Sick Leave
All Full-time Employees Earn 8 Hours Of Sick Leave Per Month To a Maximum Accrual Of 960 Hours. The City Also Offers a Sick Leave Cash-out Policy Of 25% Of Hours Over 960 At Year-end, And a Sick Leave Conversion Policy As Outlined Below
Sick Leave Balance
Hours Earned Converted to Vacation
480 Hours
1.33 Hours per Month
720 Hours
2.67 Hours per Month
960 Hours
4.00 Hours per Month
Longevity Pay
AFSCME employees will be paid longevity pay as outlined below:
5 years of service
$40/per month
10 years of service
$50/per month
15 years of service
$60/per month
An employee's longevity shall be adjusted for periods of leave of absence without pay. Longevity shall be determined by continuous employment. Continuous employment shall be recognized as a period of employment without a break in service. All credit toward longevity shall terminate upon the employee's termination from City service, except for vacation accrual if an employee is rehired within one (1) year of separation.
Wellness Program
The City has received the AWC WellCity Award since 2014, which provides a 2% reduction in health insurance premiums. The City's Wellness Committee promotes healthy lifestyles, wise consumption of health care services, and mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. This committee sponsors numerous activities to encourage personal and professional health.
Employee Assistance Plan
An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by the City to assist you and family members, providing counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse and family counseling.
Safety Statement
In An Effort To Ensure All Employees Work Safe And Go Home Safe, We Expect Our Employees To Comply With All Applicable Safety Practices And Policies, Including Those Established By OSHA/DOSH/WISHA Regulations And By The City's Accident Prevention Plan. This Includes But Is Not Limited To Actively Identifying And Correcting Potential Hazards That May Affect Coworkers And Public Safety. All Employees Are Expected To Lead By Example To Promote a Positive Culture Of Workplace Safety Through Everyday Actions. The City Of Walla Walla Is Committed To Providing a Work Environment That
- Is free of all recognized hazards.
- Promotes safe and healthy tasks and workplaces.
- Values and encourages worker input in all jobs regarding task/facility enhancements.
- Is insistent on the full reporting and investigation of all incidents, i.e., injuries/ illnesses, property accidents and all near misses.
- Is performed by workers and supervisors, who are trained in all operational safety aspects of their jobs, (both mandated by the applicable Washington State requirements and those of the City of Walla Walla’s policies and procedures).
Other Benefits Offered (may be subject to waiting periods or testing)
- Bilingual Incentive - 3%
- Aflac Insurance
- YMCA Membership – Corporate Discount
- Direct Deposit (payday is the 3rd working day following the last day of the month)
Salary Schedules, The City’s Personnel Policy Manual, Civil Service Rules And Regulations, And The AFSCME 1191W Collective Bargaining Agreement Can Be Found In The Following Links
https://www.wallawallawa.gov/government/human-resources/contracts-salaries
https://www.wallawallawa.gov/government/human-resources/personnel-policies-civil-service-rules
01
Are you First Aid and CPR Certified?
- Yes
- No, but willing to obtain within six (6) months of hire
02
Do you have a Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s license?
