Parks Foreman

In order to be considered for this position applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed regardless of the presence of an attached resume.

Once the posting closes all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive concise history of their education certification licensing and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application.

For questions regarding this posting please contact Sherry Christman Human Resources Analyst at or .

Equal Employment Opportunities It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race color national origin religion sexual orientation marital status sex gender identity gender expression age genetic information disability or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state federal or local law.

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Parks Foreman is responsible for the supervision and training of the Parks & Recreation division staff in the operation and maintenance of light and heavy power equipment related facilities and equipment staff and job scheduling reviewing construction documents and permits and leading training and educational opportunities. This position is subject to call-out during inclement weather and other emergencies twenty-four (24) hours per day seven (7) days per week. Work is performed at county parks county facilities and other sites as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to the Parks and Recreation Superintendent Public Works Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position provides supervision and oversight of full-time maintenance staff temporary/seasonal staff volunteers and others as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Plans and schedules work assignments for staff through management software and coordination through reservation system. Approves leave requests.

Maintains records of action taken incidents and breakdowns through asset management and fleet vehicular software.

Assists in maintaining personnel pesticide and equipment records.

Conducts training involving the use maintenance and operation of equipment and facilities.

Promotes best management policies for maintenance in accordance with the Divisions goals.

Assigns work to subordinates and reviews performance. Resolves problems and takes disciplinary action or refers to higher level personnel.

Solicits quotes for contracted work and assists with requisitions procurement requests and purchase orders.

Prepares rough sketches or diagrams for projects. Determines project requirements in terms of staff resources equipment and materials. Prepares cost estimates.

Maintains a current knowledge of all park programs special events park policies and park amenities to provide key information to staff county partners and park patrons.

Maintains an active purchasing card for equipment maintenance travel and training purchases as well as supplies and equipment for staff. Monitors supply inventory and makes purchases as necessary.

Maintains positive and effective working relationships with other County employees.

Participates in the planning design and construction oversight of capital projects as needed.

Operates and services all departmental equipment including hand power tools riding and/or rotary mowers snow removal equipment excavators front end loaders trucks and any other equipment.

Maintains clean grounds waterways facilities trails and walkways throughout the year in all types of weather. Ensures all areas equipment and facilities are safe clean and in good appearance. Removes trash garbage and other debris cleans and maintains facilities including restrooms heating systems electrical systems septic systems well pumps and equipment associated with assigned area such as tennis and volleyball courts playgrounds etc.

Performs repair work in facilities such as unstopping sinks and basins winterizing restrooms mending broken fencing doors windows or partitions and/or painting signs exterior and interior building painting recreational facility markings. Builds and repairs bird houses duck blinds and similar items.

Performs land management and maintenance such as tilling aerating and preparing land. Applies fertilizer pesticide and other chemical solutions with spray rigs to grass shrubs trees and other plantings to prevent and/or control weeds disease and pests or to stimulate growth. Repairs concrete and macadam sealing. Waters fertilizes cultivates and trims lawns shrubs flowers trees and other plantings. Plants trees shrubs and flowers. May perform hand mulching and hand weeding.

Responsible for winter maintenance on County-owned properties including the removal of snow ice and other hazards. Operates maintains and fixes snow removal and de-icing equipment. Responsible for contacting staff for winter maintenance duties. Coordinates directly with Superintendent Public Works Director and/or designee.

Assists staff with the creation of promotional content and materials to effectively highlight the divisions news information and events to the public. This may include print materials photos video graphics flyers posters signs questionnaires mailers etc.

Performs park safety and dam inspections.

Traps and disposes of wildlife posing threats to parks and facilities.

Assists in the creation of the annual report utilizing graphs charts and photos.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority but may not perform all of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent;AND

At least three (3) years of full time experience in grounds maintenance work which has included involvement in troubleshooting jobs and/or overseeing other workers as well as heavy construction and transportation equipment;AND

Employees assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operators license with an acceptable driving record;AND

Possession of certification to administer pesticides as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must be obtained within two (2) months of hire/transfer.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Superior public relation skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees supervisors and managers other agencies and the general public.

Ability to task switch and prioritize workload with frequent interruptions in order to meet deadlines and accomplish assigned responsibilities.

Ability to learn and retain detailed knowledge of policies procedures and practices of the Parks & Recreation Division.

Ability to use or learn to use content management systems for website content updates.

Ability to read write speak understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

Ability to learn specialized software systems including the Countys financial system reservations permit system vehicle fleet and asset management system and recreation software.

Ability to use tact initiative and independent judgment in dealing with difficult citizen complaints requests for assistance information or services to the public.

Knowledge of methods techniques materials and equipment used in park facility waterway earth-moving equipment operation and maintenance.

Knowledge of methods and techniques used in power equipment operation forestry agricultural pesticide best practices.

Basic knowledge of carpentry plumbing electric water pumps and septic systems.

Skill in making maintenance repairs on tools playground and related structures and recreational equipment and facilities.

Ability to train instruct assist and oversee lower level personnel engaged in grounds maintenance work.

Ability to understand follow and give oral and written instructions.

Ability to work outdoors in differing climatic conditions for several hours at a time.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship such persons may not be eligible.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Personal computer (including word processing spreadsheet and other specialized software) Telephone calculator label maker fax machine and copy machine and all other needed office supplies.

Pick-up truck dump truck back hoe loader forklift snow blower lawn and landscaping equipment including tractors mowers airifier chain saw edgers weed trimmers electric motors pumps sprinklers irrigation systems; miscellaneous hand and power tools for turf maintenance carpentry roofing painting plumbing electrical and cement finishing work boiler telephone or cell phone mobile or portable radio.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger handle feel or operate objects tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop kneel crouch or crawl walk sit and talk or hear.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to eighty (80) pounds and occasionally lift weight up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

There may be times where walking in wooded forests dirt/gravel paths biking canoeing/kayaking are an option and/or requirement to participate in events functions and staff trainings.

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 ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is moderately noisy.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application rating of education and experience interview and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE
PAY GRADE: RU-22
UNION STATUS: AFSCME RESIDUAL NON-PROFESSIONAL UNIT

Updated May 2023