Public Grounds Caretaker and Gardner - City of Somerville

Statement of Duties:

Performs work involved in planting, caring for, and maintaining gardens, shrubs, lawns, flowers, trees, and other plants; seeds lawns and gardens; prunes trees and shrubs; plants and transplants flowers, performs weeding and watering; sprays for insects and plant diseases; cares for lawns and ornamental gardens. Determines care needed by plants, trees, flowers, shrubs, lawns, performs related manual tasks such as mulching, cutting grass, removing snow, raking and digging. Uses equipment, tools, and vehicles necessary for gardening work. Performs maintenance, unskilled labor duties of which the following are typical examples: digging holes, trenches, and other excavations; shoveling materials and leveling areas; maintenance and care of recreational areas, parks and playgrounds, planting and trimming shrubs, small trees and using hand tools or powered equipment; replacing and moving grass, repairing fences, swings, slides and other playground equipment; painting and maintenance work; cleaning grounds as directed; assisting other personnel in tasks, loading and unloading materials; emptying barrels and cleaning litter and debris from streets, parking lots and recreational areas, removing snow and ice, using manual or small powered equipment; spreading sand on icy areas, using small hand tools; i.e. shovels, picks, axes, saws, heavy wrenches and small power tools. Performs all other duties that may be assigned.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have 1-2 years experience caring for plants and the knowledge to identify intentional plantings from weeds.
• Ability to receive and interpret written and oral instructions and to give written and oral reports to supervisors.
• Must have ability to use tools of trade in workmanlike manner.
• Must be in good health, dependable, and able to do hard physical work.
• Must possess valid Massachusetts Class D driver’s license.
• Must have safe driving record.

Work Environment:

Work requires agility and physical strength, ability to function in close quarters, and is subject to outside environmental conditions, including wet, hot and cold weather. Worker is subject to noise, vibrations, hazards and atmospheric conditions including fumes, dust and air contaminants.

Physical & Mental 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 position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Position requires standing/walking most of the day, lifting/carrying up to 75 lbs, pushing/pulling, climbing, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, crouching and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position requires near and far vision and acute hearing, the ability to maintain heavy physical exertion for long periods of time, operate hand and power tools, navigate rough terrain, move in or about construction sites.

Motor Skills

While performing the duties, employees are regularly required to use oral communication skills and handle tools and equipment. The position requires balancing, pushing, pulling, grasping, feeling and repetitive motion to complete tasks.

Visual Skills

Visual acuity is required to operate motor vehicles, equipment and tools.

Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $889.44 weekly, plus benefits
Union: SMEA B
FLSA: Not Exempt
Mandatory Requirements: This is a safety-sensitive position. Must pass a driving history check and pre-employment drug screening / physical prior to employment.
Date Posted: September 10th, 2024

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completition of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation (for non-union positions) union positions vary by contract
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.

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