Under general supervision, the Park Maintenance Inspector III performs skilled work in the maintenance, inspection, and repair of irrigation and lawn sprinkler systems; performs landscaping and horticultural duties at an advanced skilled level; serves as a lead worker overseeing contract park maintenance personnel; conducts inspections of playground structures, park areas, and athletic fields to ensure safety and maintenance standards are met; and performs related duties as assigned. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:Positions in this class are responsible for the maintenance of park planted areas, the improvement and beautification of park areas and the irrigation of planted areas. Positions in this class have considerable independence in selecting work methods, materials, and procedures from a variety of standard methods or procedures. Incumbents are expected to resolve most problems confronted through the application of judgment and knowledge, referring to the supervisor only those which involve the establishment of new procedures or which exceed the budgetary limitations of landscaping projects. Examples of Essential Functions Plans, leads, and performs maintenance and improvement projects in assigned parks including planting, weeding, pruning, spraying, fertilizing, turf maintenance, and irrigation repairs; oversees and monitors contract personnel assigned to cleaning and upkeep of park restrooms, buildings, picnic areas, athletic fields, and park amenities; assists in planning the layout of planted areas and landscape improvements; designs and installs landscaping and irrigation systems. Inspects parks, playground structures, athletic fields, trails, irrigation systems, and park facilities to ensure compliance with maintenance, operational, and safety standards; identifies hazards, maintenance deficiencies, vandalism, graffiti, and unsafe conditions and coordinates corrective actions; responds to and assists in resolving citizen complaints and concerns regarding park conditions and maintenance issues. Inspects irrigation and landscape work performed by contractors for conformance with specifications; instructs park personnel in the proper, safe, and efficient use of materials, tools, equipment, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers; develops and observes safety regulations and procedures including playground safety standards. Maintains, repairs, and installs automatically operated sprinkler controls, timing devices, sprinkler heads, valves, drip systems, and irrigation lines; inspects, cleans, and adjusts sprinkler controls for correct operation and water conservation; maintains and replaces valves and irrigation components; plans layouts for new sprinkler systems. Calibrates spraying equipment; applies herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides; recognizes plant diseases and applies corrective measures; performs soil preparation and fertilization; performs tree, shrub, and groundcover maintenance. Prepares cost estimates and recommendations for park maintenance projects and operating costs; prepares and submits requisitions for park supplies, tools, and equipment; maintains records and inspection reports; instructs staff in work methods and procedures; checks and corrects work in progress and upon completion; reports problems encountered during assignments to supervisors. Operates City vehicles, equipment, and machinery associated with park maintenance and inspection activities; and performs related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications LICENSE REQUIRED:A valid Class C California Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record. Possession of a State Pest Control Applicators License. KNOWLEDGE OF:Horticultural methods and materials; park irrigation systems including Calsense Central Irrigation Controllers; landscaping development and maintenance techniques; playground inspection and safety standards; athletic field maintenance practices; herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and fertilization methods; irrigation installation and repair methods; safe work practices and procedures; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; basic arithmetic; effective leadership and supervisory methods. SKILL IN:Landscaping new park areas, observing standards of horticulture preparing and maintaining fertility of soil; pruning trees, shrubs and land cover; applying herbicides, pesticides and fungicides; installing, repairing, and maintaining sprinkler irrigation systems; operating a computer terminal accurately and efficiently; operating a vehicle while observing legal and defensive driving practices. ABILITY TO:Detect plant diseases; understand pertinent procedures and functions quickly and apply them without immediate supervision; maintain simple records; read, understand and apply technical documents; perform landscape calculations, such as calculating areas and water application rates; assign, check, inspect correct, and participate fully in the work of park maintenance personnel; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work. QUALIFICATIONS:Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical qualifying entrance background is A High School Diploma, GED (or equivalent), and completion of college level course work in horticulture, landscape design or a closely related field and experience performing skilled landscape and irrigation system installation and maintenance including some supervisory experience for a small crew; or experience wherein the incumbent has acquired the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above. Other Information PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to communicate effectively verbally and in a written manner; observe and interpret data, and analyze and solve problems. The employee must be able to work indoor office environments/outdoor in the field environments (depending on position). The employee may have to move up to 10 lbs. and transport up to 75 lbs. objects frequently (depending on position). Vision abilities required by this job include the ability to detect, determine, perceive, identify, estimate, and assess work related objects and/or work products based on position specific designated tasks. The employee may be required to work overtime to complete assignments. Must be able to work a flexible schedule. Use of personal vehicle during employment may also be required.