Transit Grounds Specialist
- Summary
This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for positions defined as safety sensitive are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and, subsequent to commencement of employment, will be subject to random, post accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substances testing program protocols
King County Metro Transit has an opening for a Transit Grounds Specialist. First consideration will be to internal employees. This position is responsible for a variety of landscape activities including overall care and maintenance of areas such as turf, lawns, gardens, ground covers and ornamental planting around King County buildings, facilities, structures, park and ride lots and other properties. This position also installs, modifies and performs routine maintenance and repair of irrigation systems. The Grounds Specialist will also provide leadership and training, give direction and assist in work coordination to ensure safe and effective landscape operations.
JOB DUTIES:
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. We model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors and practices across all of the job duties listed below:• Perform landscape maintenance of turf, ornamental plants, soil, and retention/detention ponds; install new turf; repair damaged areas
• Perform skilled pruning and trimming of a variety of plants, ground covers, bushes and trees
• Maintain, modify or repair irrigation systems; establish watering schedule and program controllers; analyze and/or modify system blueprints used in system installation, repair and modify as needed
• Prepare insecticides and/or pesticides; control pests using pesticides and plant growth using herbicides; maintain records
• Determine plant health and apply fertilizers and chemicals as needed
• Operate all equipment to include gardening tractors and power man lift equipment; maintain a variety of basic gardening equipment such as edgers, mowers, pruning tools and spraying tank equipment
• Perform minor repairs on small gas engines, including tune-ups
• May instruct, coordinate and supervise the work of assigned landscaping crews and inspect and assist in approval of contractor work
• Perform other duties as assigned or needed, such as ice and snow removal.
EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:• Knowledge of the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems and effective watering schedules.
• Knowledge of gardening and plant care principles, methods, IPM techniques and equipment and materials needed for various jobs.
• Knowledge of basic hand and power tools, gas fired equipment such as lawn mowers, blowers, edgers, hedgers, chain saws, and line trimmers.
• Knowledge of the use of gardening tractors, mowers and chippers.
• Knowledge of basic hand and power tools, use and safety requirements.
• Knowledgeable of proper pruning and trimming techniques.
• Ability to work in a team environment and with diverse work groups.
• Ability to read instructions for the application of fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
REQUIRED:- At least 3-years of professional experience in advance landscape practices for grounds keeping and gardening.
- One year of college or technical school education in related field of landscape, agriculture, horticulture or botany may be exchanged for one year of work experience.
- Valid WA State Driver's License
- Valid WA State CDL Class B with airbrake endorsement
- Valid WA State Public Pesticide Operator's License in insect and disease.
- Ability to acquire endorsements in aquatics and ornamental plants within 12 months of hire.
DESIRED- the most competitive candidates will possess the following:
• 2-years of college or technical school education in landscape maintenance and gardening principles.
• Solid background in irrigation maintenance.
• Good understanding of Integrated pest management programs (IPM)
WORK CONDITION: Required to frequently work in a stooping or kneeling position. May be required to do a lot of twisting or bending. Physical effort is required to perform such tasks as weeding, lifting (up to 50 lbs), shoveling and using heavy gardening equipment and tools.
Grounds specialist works outside for the majority of the day and is exposed to all types of weather conditions.
Selection Process:
Applicants will be screened for qualifications. The most competitive applicants may be invited to proceed in the process.If you need an accommodation in the recruitment process or an alternate format of this announcement, please inquire directly with the contact listed on the job announcement or the department's Human Resources Service Delivery Manager.
Note: Online applications are preferred. However, if you cannot apply online, go to www.kingcounty.gov/jobs for other options.
King County is an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workplace and workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding values--we are one team, we solve problems, we focus on the customer, we drive for results, we are racially just, we respect all people, we lead the way, we are responsible stewards. We welcome and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Are you a current King County Employee?
- Yes
- No
02How many years of professional experience do you have in advanced landscape practices for grounds keeping and gardening?- No Experience
- 1 or Less
- 1- 2 years
- 2-4 years
- 4 or more years
03Do you possess at least one year of college or technical training in landscape, agriculture, horticulture or botany?- Yes
- No
04If you answered yes to the above question, please state school and year you obtained this training.05Do you possess a WA State Public Pesticide Operator's license in insect and disease?- Yes
- No
06Do you possess aquatics and ornamental plants endorsements?- Yes
- No
07If you answered no to the above question, are you willing and able to acquire endorsements within 12-months of hire?- Yes
- No
08Describe your knowledge of and professional experience in the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems and effective watering schedules. If no knowledge or experience, please state NONE.09Describe your background in irrigation maintenance, if any.10Describe your understanding of Integrated Pest Management Programs, if any.11I have read and understand the work condition of this job and I am willing and able to work under these conditions.- Yes
- No
12Have you tested positive, or refused to test, on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which you applied for, but did not get hired, safety-sensitive transportation work covered by the DOT drug and alcohol testing rules during the past two years?- Yes
- No
13Do you currently possess a valid Driver's License? Please indicate if you ALSO hold a Class A or Class B CDL license, and any endorsements. Check all that apply. (5)- Valid driver's license
- Class A CDL/Permit
- Class B CDL/Permit
- Air Brake Endorsement
- Passenger Endorsement
- I do not have a driver's license
14Have you had a license in another state besides Washington in the last 5 years? (6)- Yes
- No
15Do you have any of the following violations on your driving record in the last five years? Select all that apply. (11)- Reckless or negligent driving
- DWI/DUI - driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Hit and run incident
- Vehicular homicide or vehicular assault
- Open container violation
- More than one at-fault accident
- None of the above
16How many traffic code (moving) violations have you had in the last 5 years? (12)- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 or more
- no code violations
17How many at fault accidents have you had in the last 5 years? (14)- No accidents
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 or more
18I have read the job announcement and understand the duties and requirements for this position. I also understand that the provisions of the job announcement do not constitute an express or implied contract. I further understand that any employment offer may be subject to successful completion and results for drug and alcohol background check, pre-employment physical, drug testing, reference checks, driver's record evaluation, and criminal history checks. Having applied for employment with King County, I give my consent that any person, firm or organization listed hereon is authorized to furnish King County with reference material concerning my character, past employment or any other information requested. I hereby authorize the full release of my employment and work record to King County for the purpose of evaluation and consideration for employment including, but not limited to, specific reasons and details regarding my resignation and/or termination, attendance and punctuality, infractions or any disciplinary actions I may have received, and disclosure of all performance evaluations for the previous ten (10) years. I agree to hold current or former employers harmless from any claim or action based upon the release of information or documentation relating to my employment record. I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information. By checking this box and completing by name in the field below, I provide my consent for King County to obtain the above referenced information.- Yes
- No
19I certify that the statements made by me on the application and supplemental questions are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.- Yes
- No
Required Question