News Flash

FACILITIES & GROUNDS TECHNICIAN POSITION

The City of Hermitage is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Facilities & Grounds Technician. This is a full-time position with a starting wage of $25.08 per hour with annual step increases over three years to $29.99 per hour. The position has an excellent benefit program including health care and prescription, dental, vision, short-term disability, paid vacation, holiday and sick leave and a pension plan. Information related to the position, including job description and applicable residency requirements, can be found on the city website at www.hermitage.net. Interested applicants should apply through the office of Mercer County CareerLink online at https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov/jponline/ , reference job order #18806769 and complete a pre-application in person at CareerLink, 217 West State Street, Sharon, PA, 724-347-9257. Application deadline is May 26, 2023. Hermitage is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Residency Requirements

Employees shall be a resident of the City of Hermitage, or one of the following Pennsylvania municipalities: City of Sharon, City of Farrell, Sharpsville Borough, Wheatland Borough, West Middlesex Borough, Clark Borough, Shenango Township, Lackawannock Township, East Lackawannock Township, Wilmington Township, Jefferson Township, Pymatuning Township, South Pymatuning Township, Delaware Township, West Salem Township, Hempfield Township or Pulaski Township. An employee is a “resident” of the municipality in which he or she maintains his or her permanent place of residence.

New employees who are not a resident of the City of Hermitage, or an eligible municipality above, shall have twelve (12) months from the date of hire to become a resident of Hermitage or an eligible municipality. 

CITY OF HERMITAGE, PENNSYLVANIA

Facilities & Grounds Technician Position Description

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Position No. 031.02                                                                                         Reports To: Facilities Coordinator

Revision No. 000                                                                                             Department: Admin. & Finance

Most Recent Revision Date: May 3, 2023                                             FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

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GENERAL PURPOSE

The Facilities & Grounds Technician performs maintenance for City facilities and grounds, including specialized work, and operates a variety of equipment including landscaping equipment, irrigation equipment, aeration equipment and pesticide/herbicide and fertilizing application equipment. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed pursuant to the City Charter and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment pursuant to the requirements of the City Charter, the Collective Bargaining Agreement or other applicable laws or regulations.

1. Perform work for athletic field maintenance including chemical and fertilizer application; irrigation system operation, repair, and installation.
2. Implement seasonal turf management and quality control programs which may include athletic fields, landscaping, tree inventory, open spaces, and wooded areas.
3. Groom playfields; maintain landscaped recreation and open space areas; mow and trim grass areas; plant, prune, and trim landscape vegetation.  
4. Repair and maintenance of facilities including minor electrical work, plumbing, winterization, building repairs, and construction projects within parks and recreation areas. 
5. Maintain grounds maintenance and landscaping equipment in good working order.
6. Repair and install playground equipment. 
7. Perform snow removal during winter months at buildings, parking lots and recreation areas. 

RESULTS EXPECTED

1. Work performed is completed in a timely manner and to a high standard.
2. Buildings and grounds at City facilities, including parks and recreation areas, are maintained to a high standard.
3. Positive working relationships established and maintained with fellow employees, private contractors, and vendors.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work is performed under the general direction of the City Facilities Coordinator.

CITY OF HERMITAGE

Facilities & Grounds Technician Position Description

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DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

1. Advanced knowledge of environmental turfgrass management practices including pest, disease, and weed management and an understanding of soil chemistry.
2. Best management practices for field, lawn, and landscape resources. 
3. Laws and regulations related to the application of fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides.
4. Operation and repair of landscape and turf management equipment and tools.
5. Principles of aeration and irrigation system operation.

Ability to:

1. Maintain playing fields, park lands, and open recreation areas to a high standard.
2. Perform general, basic maintenance at City facilities, including parks and recreation areas.
3. Apply fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticides; operate aeration equipment properly.
4. Operate heavy and light duty equipment including mowers, skid steers, loaders, mini-excavators, tractors, hand and power tools, and light duty trucks.
5. Perform general grounds maintenance such as mowing, pruning, and application of mulch.
6. Perform tasks independently and as part of a group.
7. Work efficiently, independently, and be self-motivated with good work habits.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications include a high school diploma or GED plus a certificate or diploma in turfgrass management/horticulture or a closely related course study and five years of experience in landscape construction, parks maintenance/athletic field maintenance, or related field such as sports turf, landscape or horticulture. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percentages.

LANGUAGE ABILITY

Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical journals, maintenance manuals, federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to building and grounds maintenance, building plans, and related materials. Ability to communicate effectively with fellow employees, contractors, and vendors.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions received in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

CITY OF HERMITAGE

Facilities & Grounds Technician Position Description

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COMPUTER SKILLS

Ability to perform basic word processing and use the internet, working knowledge of portable electronic devices.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

1. Valid Pennsylvania motor vehicle operator’s license.
2. Valid Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Public Pesticide Applicator’s License

PHYSICAL 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; use hands to handle or feel; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, however the level may be loud at times (i.e. operation of maintenance equipment and machinery). 

NOTICE

This description is written to generally define the role of each person’s job to help the employee understand the expectations of the City of Hermitage. The essential functions, expected results, personal expectations, qualifications, training, physical requirements and work environment may not be all inclusive and were current as of the date of the most recent revision. The City of Hermitage may add or delete items as the need arises, pursuant to the requirements of the City Charter, the Collective Bargaining Agreement or other applicable laws or regulations.

CITY OF HERMITAGE

Facilities & Grounds Technician Position Description

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Employee Signature                                                                       Date

_______________________________________       _______________________ 

Supervisor                                                                                          Date