Job Description

The City of Ottawa, Kansas is recruiting for a Maintenance Worker - Parks.  Under the supervision of the Parks Superintendent, the Maintenance Worker  performs manual labor tasks in parks and recreation equipment maintenance in order to keep grounds clean and presentable for public use. This position assists with tree pruning, removal, and planting, as well as landscape and equipment maintenance and repair.

• Plant, prune, trim, and remove trees/limbs as directed, including the removal of dead/dangerous trees, stumps, and debris from tree pruning/removal operations.
• Complete lawn care and landscaping activities for parks, including chemical application and pest control.
• Operate a variety of motorized equipment to complete job duties. Perform operator-level maintenance on equipment used.
• Follow appropriate safety precautions with respect to arborist activities and work zone safety.
• Perform general construction work related to installation, and maintenance of parks and recreation equipment
• Make recommendations to the Parks Superintendent on the replacement or purchase of mowing equipment and other assets; provide information to the Parks Superintendent regarding the budget process.
• Maintain and repair playground and swimming pool equipment and recreation facilities/structures.
• Clean public restroom facilities and dispose of refuse in public receptacles on City property.

ANCILLARY JOB FUNCTIONS

• Haul snow and assist with snow/ice removal from roadways as directed.
• Complete necessary written documentation and reports.
• Comply with all City ordinances and policies.
• Assist other departments and perform other related duties as assigned

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.

• High school diploma or equivalent; some college credit in Horticulture, Park Resources Management, Forestry, Agronomy, or related field preferred.
• Construction and arborist work experience preferred.
• Must maintain valid driver’s license; CDL preferred.
• Arborist and Commercial Herbicide/Pesticide Applicator certifications preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES which may be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those commonly associated with this position.

• Knowledge of carpentry, electrical, plumbing, general mechanics, welding, and other related trade work.
• Ability to receive, understand, and comply with written and oral instructions.
• General knowledge of grounds maintenance.
• Ability to safely operate various types of mechanical equipment to complete job tasks.
• Familiarity with basic computer operations and ability to generate varied reports using word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with other employees, City officials, business entities, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work as well as concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously .
• Ability to work under general supervision and make responsible decisions.
• Ability to use good judgment and think quickly and rationally in difficult or stressful situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT-Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• May be required to work in confined spaces, hazardous traffic conditions, or high/dangerous places.
• May be exposed to wet/humid conditions, inclement outdoor weather, vibration, extreme temperatures, mechanical oils, airborne particles/fumes, moving mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, potentially hazardous bodily fluids, potentially hazardous or cancer-causing agents/chemicals, or very loud noise levels.

PHYSCIAL ABILITIES commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below 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 essential functions.

• Must be able to talk, hear, grasp, push, stand, walk, drive, reach with hands/arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, operate mechanical equipment, and move up and down from/to sitting position on the floor.
• Must be able to have repetitive wrist/hand/finger movement and manual dexterity.
• Must have precise hand-eye coordination, clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, and ability to identify/distinguish colors.
• Maximum lifting up to 100 pounds, frequent lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Range: $19.74 to $21.71

Date Opened:    May 11th, 2026

Date Closed: June 11th, 2026

Hours:                                7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Summer hours.  Some overtime may be required.

Residency:     Regular full-time employees are required to establish and maintain residency within a driving distance of 35 miles of Ottawa City Hall within one year from hire. 

E-Mail Confirmation:   After your application has been received by the City of Ottawa, you will receive confirmation by e-mail. Please check your SPAM filter or JUNK Mail. If you have not received information within 48 hours of submitting your application, please call 785-229-3634 to verify your application has been received. For additional information, contact Human Resources at 785-229-3634 or e-mail humanresources@ottawaks.gov. 

Anyone with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at 785-229-3634 at least two days prior to a scheduled test or interview.

The City of Ottawa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

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