Park Specialist 1, Limited Duration

Full Job Description

The Facilities Division is recruiting for a Limited Duration Park Specialist 1 position.

Do you like working in the outdoors? Do you have an interest and background in landscape and ground maintenance? Are you interested in contributing activating Downtown Eugene?

The City of Eugene Facilities Division is accepting applications for 2, 6-month, limited duration employees interested in joining the Downtown Facilities Team.

The ideal candidate has ability to resolve conflicts, has a "can-do" attitude with excellent customer service skills, has good communication skills, has a strong work ethic and is a motivated self-starter, with the ability to make logical, sound decisions while working in a positive team environment.

The primary duty of this position is to perform Urban Camping Clean-up, routine cleaning, collect debris and rubbish, storage of personal property, landscape maintenance in medians, green spaces, and specialty landscapes corridors as part of a team.

A variety of maintenance, installation, and repair duties may also be assigned and may involve the operation of a variety of equipment supporting green infrastructure operations.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 5:00pm PT

ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY

Classification: Park Specialist 1

Salary: $25.13 - $31.31 Hourly / $52,270.40 - $65,124.80 Annually

The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience as provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA). You can learn more about our process at our How to Apply page.

Department/Division: Central Services Department / Facilities Division

Location: 210 Cheshire Ave., Eugene, OR 97401

Must reside in the state of Oregon and be able to report onsite in Eugene, OR for work as needed.

Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with flexibility per business need to occasionally work outside of normal working hours and responding to after-hours emergencies.

Limited Duration (LD) Opportunity – AFSCME:

• Open to full-time, part-time, LD, Recreation Activity Employee City of Eugene employees as well as open to the public.
• This LD position could last up to 6 months per business need.
• LD employees have many of the same benefits as regular AFSCME employees, with some exceptions due to the limited length of employment.
• If you are currently an employee, you will not have rights back to your current LD position.
• LD employees are at-will and don’t have a probationary period; they accrue no seniority, have no bumping or layoff provisions, and have no discipline or discharge rights.
• LD employees will receive City health plan coverage for themselves only. Dependent coverage is available at full cost to the LD employee.

Requirements

Urban Camping Clean-up and Right of Way Closures:

• Assist in the posting and cleanup of illegal urban camps.
• Works in conjunction with Eugene Police and other various City departments, adjacent landowners, citizens, and various contractors.

Median and Green Space Maintenance:

• Maintains grounds, landscapes, and specialty planting areas.
  • Examples of duties include weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, brush chipping, traffic control and work zone setup, illicit activities and litter pick up.
• Responsible for maintaining turf in medians and specialty landscapes.
  • Examples of duties include mowing finished turf, edging, blowing, and garbage and litter patrol.
• Maintains and repairs irrigation components as part of operating the different systems.
  • Examples of duties include pruning and vegetation removal, weeding, tree work, litter and debris removal, irrigation and sprinkler repair and adjustments.

Vegetated Stormwater Facility Maintenance:

• Maintains public rain gardens, grassy swales, stormwater planters and detention ponds for conveyance of stormwater and removal of pollutants and sediment.
  • Examples of duties include weeding, mulching, planting, removal of sediment, traffic control and work zone setup, and illicit activities.

Computers:

• Documents and tracks work assignments using a variety of software programs like GIS Field Maps, Collector, Microsoft, Peoplesoft and Maintenance Management Software; Uses Apple products and mobile technology, i.e.,

Equipment Usage:

• Operates blowers, saws, vacuum equipment, hand tools and various power tools.

Emergency storm response duties:

• Operate 5- or 10-yard dump trucks, cutting, hauling, and/or chipping tree limbs in the right-of-way, snow removal on walks and paths, traffic flagging, and tree felling.
• May be asked to work extended night and weekend shifts in emergencies.
• Daily operation of a City vehicle will be required.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.

To view detailed information on the duties, knowledge, and abilities that may be expected for this position, please see the classification: Park Specialist 1

Qualifications

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferrable skills from a variety of sources and experiences.

If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

When screening your application, the City will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to meet minimum qualifications for this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

One year manual work in grounds keeping, parks and/or natural area maintenance or building maintenance.

License or Certificate:

Valid Oregon driver's license, or ability to obtain by date of hire; must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City's standard.

Oregon law requires that an out-of-state license holder must obtain a valid Oregon license (with appropriate endorsements) within 30 days of becoming domiciled in the state (ORS 803.355).

Ability to obtain, and maintain, a valid Oregon State Class "A" commercial driver's license with appropriate endorsements within one year of hire date (dependent on length of LD assignment).

May require additional technical and/or specialized certification(s) to perform the assigned duties.

The ideal candidate will have the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Grounds and park maintenance principles, practices, materials, and equipment.
• Bio-hazard Clean up.
• Equipment and practices involved in park grounds, landscape, or building maintenance.
• Basic principles and practices of horticulture.
• Basic principles of green infrastructure.
• Safety rules and identification of safety hazards.

Ability to:

• Perform manual parks-maintenance related duties in areas of assignment.
• Operate vehicles, trailers, and other specialized equipment involved in parks maintenance.
• Work independently, or as part of a crew.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Assign, lead, train, and review work of Park Specialist 1, 2, and seasonal employees.
• Perform limited mechanical, plumbing, and carpentry repairs.
• Read maps and construction drawings.
• Select, propagate, and care for plants.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Recognize noxious and invasive plants.
• Learn new tasks and equipment operations as required.
• Perform strenuous physical work outdoors in varying weather conditions, sometimes in confined spaces and uncomfortable conditions.
• Identify hazards and perform all work to established safety practices.
• Provide and wear personal protective equipment as required.
• Communicate effectively and courteously with City employees and the public; establish effective working relationships.
• Be available and respond to emergency call-backs as necessary.
• Interact with members of the public to answer questions, inform them of rule violations, and improve user experience.
• Use computers and mobile technology for time and task tracking, email, etc.
• Instruct others in parks and open space maintenance practices and methods.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Work is typically performed outdoors in field environment with exposure to all weather conditions including travel from site to site and indoors within various building facilities.

May be exposed to sharp objects/needle sticks, insect/dog bites, moving objects/vehicles, dust/noise/vibration, transients unhoused/homeless, smoke/fumes/odors, gasses, cramped quarters, inclement weather conditions, slippery surfaces, toxic/caustic chemicals, and biological waste.

Use and operation of City vehicle, variety of hand/power tools, backpack blowers, pressure washers, chain saws, hoses, irrigation equipment, mowers, carts, sweeper, equipment trailers, tractors, backhoe, and dump truck.

As needed will be required to wear respirator, goggles, face shield, safety shoes, gloves, rain gear, hearing protection, dust mask, hard hat, and other PPE equipment as needed.

What to Expect from our Selection Process: Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training.

The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes.

In addition, driving record checks and background investigations and records checks may be required.

Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment.

Marijuana use is evaluated consistent with current state law regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Once the posting closes, the process can take 4-6 weeks to complete.

Eligibility List: This posting may also be used to establish an eligibility list of applicants for future vacancies.

Candidates that are placed on the eligibility list will be notified via email which will include the duration of the list and how notification of call up will occur.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee.

We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community.

As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce.

Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at (541) 682- 5061.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States.