Summary
Discover Medford:
Employment, Applicant Support, and Benefits within Our Vibrant City
Do you enjoy working outside, using your skills in landscaping, irrigation, and equipment operation? The City of Medford is hiring a full-time Parks Worker to help care for and maintain our parks, playgrounds, and open spaces. In this role, you’ll operate a variety of equipment to keep landscapes healthy and safe, support recreation programs and events, and take pride in creating spaces the community can enjoy year-round. We’re looking for candidates with experience in landscaping, irrigation, and equipment operation who thrive in a team environment and value high standards of work. If you’re ready for a hands-on role with great benefits and the opportunity to keep Medford’s parks beautiful, we’d love to see your application.
Required Education And Experience
- Graduation from high school or GED equivalent; and
- Must be 18 years of age; and
- Two (2) years of parks or grounds maintenance experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Forklift, flagger, and/or traffic control certifications
- Master Gardener certification
- Certified Arborist (ISA)
- Playground Safety Inspector certification (CPSI)
Available Schedules
- Sunday - Wednesday, 6:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Opportunity for alternate schedule after the first 90-days:
- 9-80 (nine-hour workdays with a three-day weekend every other week)
Compensation & Information On Benefits
This position is part of the Teamsters Parks Maintenance & Facilities employee group.
Learn More About Our Benefits HERE.
The anticipated hiring range for the Parks Worker position is $22.33 (first step) to $23.45 or $24.62 (second or third step). The City of Medford determines starting pay based on an evaluation of relevant education, experience, and qualifications as provided by the applicant in their application materials, alongside others who perform work of comparable character consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Six steps are included in this salary range, allowing opportunity for annual movement through the steps.
Healthcare Benefits
- Medical, vision and dental benefits for employee and family, paid at 100% by the City with the opportunity to buy-up to a lower deductible plan
- Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance – policy value of $50,000 paid by the City
- Long-term disability insurance provided by the City
- Health Reimbursement Account (HRA-VEBA) contributions provided by the City
Retirement Benefits
- Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) lifetime pension after retirement at no cost to employee
- PERS is 100% fully paid as the City pays both the employer and the employee’s (6%) contributions
- Deferred Compensation retirement plan (Section 457 Plan) for employee's retirement planning
Additional Benefits
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- The City’s Wellness Program promotes physical, social, emotional, intellectual, financial and environmental wellness with various goals and challenges to participate in throughout the year. Employees may qualify for wellness incentives by completing milestones set within the program up to $200 annually
- Access to the City's fully equipped fitness center 24/7
Examples of Job Duties
Essential Functions Of The Position
- Performs general clean up, facility maintenance, landscape maintenance and irrigation of City grounds and beautification areas.
- Grooms City grounds by mowing, trimming and edging turf and applying fertilizers and herbicides.
- Maintains City grounds: planting beds, walkways, special use areas, etc. by pruning, mowing, blowing, spraying, fertilizing, trimming and edging of City landscapes and turf areas.
- Drives City vehicle to various parks and other work locations.
- Operates a variety of equipment to include mowers, tractors, large dump bed trucks, front end loaders, backhoes, skid steers, turf care equipment, spray equipment, etc.
- Performs weed abatement activities utilizing Integrated Pest Management Strategies.
- Irrigates grounds as necessary; monitors irrigation systems and performs basic repairs to damaged or malfunctioning sprinklers.
- Cares for plants through watering, weeding, and trimming.
- Inspects Park playground equipment as directed; removes possible hazards to ensure safety.
- Adheres to safety practices and standards when performing all duties.
- Performs preventative maintenance of equipment such as fluid checks, mower blade sharpening, tire filling and patching, cleaning, etc.
- Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental and/or citywide operational structure and is at the discretion of the Supervisor.
Other Functions Of The Position
- May perform light construction activities as assigned within park locations.
- Performs the set-up for recreation programs and special events.
- Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
- Handles job stress and interacts effectively with others in the workplace.
- Fosters an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
- Is an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
- Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
- Demonstrates regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
Competencies
Drive/Energy- Effective performers have a high level of energy and the motivation to sustain it over time. They are ambitious and passionate about their role in the City. They have the stamina and endurance to handle the substantial workload present in today’s organizations. They know that a healthy work/life balance is important to sustained energy. They are motivated to maintain a fast pace and continue to produce even in exhausting circumstances.
High Standards- Effective performers establish and model standards that guarantee exceptional quality and necessary attention to detail. They continually seek to improve processes and products, and hold staff accountable for quality. They find best practices, share them, and then improve upon them.
Industry Knowledge- Effective performers understand the general workings of the industry within which the organization functions. They monitor activities and trends within these arenas and maintain a current knowledge base. They use this knowledge to further the organization/departments goals.
Results Orientation- Effective performers maintain appropriate focus on outcomes and accomplishments. They are motivated by achievement and persist until the goal is reached. They convey a sense of urgency to make things happen. They respect the need to balance short- and long-term goals. They are driven by a need for closure.
Team Player- Effective performers are team oriented. They identify with the larger organizational team and their role within it. They share resources, respond to requests from other parts of the organization, and support larger legitimate organizational agendas as more important than local or personal goals.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This position involves working outdoors in a city park setting with exposure to a wide range of weather conditions, from extreme heat to freezing temperatures. There is potential exposure to heavy vibrations, loud noises, fumes, chemicals, dirt, and dust. Work may also be performed near heavily congested traffic areas, increasing potential safety risks.
This position involves moderate to strenuous physical activity associated with landscape and facility maintenance. Employees must be able to lift and carry objects up to 75 pounds, and endure prolonged physical exertion, including walking, standing, and performing strenuous tasks under potentially adverse conditions (e.g., heat, cold, uneven terrain). The work requires utilizing full body strength and mobility, including pushing, pulling, bending, reaching, twisting, turning, and using lower back muscles for extended periods. Good manual dexterity and multi-limb coordination are essential for operating equipment and performing tasks. This position requires good eyesight, hearing, and stamina. Excellent sensory awareness is crucial for safety and effective task performance.
Supplemental Information
IMPORTANT (Please Read)
- It is important your application shows all the relevant experience you possess.
- Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
- Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an online application; an application will be considered incomplete with a "see resume" response.
- Please complete the application and answer the supplemental questions thoroughly to ensure our subject matter experts can appropriately evaluate your experience as we compare applicants.
How To Apply
- Applications are only accepted online and must be received by the posted closing date/time.
- Selection procedures and timelines subject to change.
- Those selected must be able to provide proof of legal right to work in this country.
Use of AI-Generated Content in Employment Applications
Employment with the City of Medford can be competitive, often there are many qualified applicants for each open position. We want to see application materials that reflect an applicant’s unique personality and that accurately reflect their experience.
The use of AI-generated content to complete employment applications and/or supplemental questions is discouraged and may result in disqualification. Each submission will be verified for originality and authenticity. However, AI tools for grammar checking and resume formatting are permitted.
Hiring will be subject to successful completion of the following:
- Criminal history background investigation
- Favorable driving record
- Clear drug screen following federal law
- Professional reference check
Questions Or Assistance
- If you have questions about the job posting, please contact the Human Resources department at (541) 774-2014.
- For technical assistance completing your online application, please contact Government Jobs at (855) 524-5627.
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Veteran's Preference
Qualifying veterans and disabled veterans may obtain preference during the hiring and/or promotional selection process. As verification of eligibility, a Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) must be uploaded with the online employment application. Disabled veterans must also upload a copy of the veteran's disability preference letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The City of Medford is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, ancestry, status as a protected veteran, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
Ada
The City of Medford complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you consider yourself disabled and require assistance in the application process, please contact (541) 774-2074 or email: ada@cityofmedford.org.
The City of Medford offers an excellent total comprehensive benefit package to all full-time employees.
This position is part of the
Teamsters Parks Maintenance & Facilities employee group. Please visit our Employee Benefits webpage for more details.
01
Are you a current or former servicemember of the Oregon National Guard and seeking consideration for Veterans’ Preference in this recruitment? **Reminder: If yes, you must upload documentation verifying Oregon National Guard service (e.g., DD214 or NGB Form 22 showing an HONORABLE discharge or release, or other state recognized documentation confirming Oregon National Guard service) by the recruitment closing date**
02
Are you at least 18 years of age or will you be 18 years old by date of hire?
03
Which valid Oregon driver's license do you currently possess?
- Class C non-commercial
- CDL Class A
- CDL Class B
- Out of state license
- None of the above
04
Describe why you are interested in this position and how your life or work experiences have prepared you for this role.
05
Describe your experience maintaining landscaping, personally and professionally.
06
What types of specialized landscape equipment are you proficient with? Please list each type along with the number of years of experience you have using it.
07
Describe your experience working in a team environment. How did you build trust and respect with your teammates?
08
What do you consider to be your strongest work-related trait?
