APPLICATION PROCESS:

To apply for the position you are required to submit a cover letter, resume, and completed City of Burlington Application for Employment.

City of Burlington application for employment forms can be found on the City’s website at www.burlingtonwa.gov/jobs, or by request at City Hall, located at 833 S. Spruce Street, Burlington, WA 98233.

Complete application packets must be submitted in a sealed envelope via mail, in-person to Burlington City Hall, ATTN: Human Resources, or emailed to HR@burlingtonwa.gov. Please specify the job title that you are applying for in the email subject line.

Applications must be received no later than 5pm Wednesday, September 16, 2026 for consideration.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Parks Lead Person oversees assigned staff, directs day-to-day parks maintenance activities and performs a full range of semi-skilled and technical park maintenance duties. The Parks Lead possesses a strong orientation towards customer service, a stewardship philosophy of natural spaces, and is committed to professional development in parks maintenance. Though primarily in the Parks, Cemetery and Recreation Department, this position performs as a team and the person in this position may be assigned other City public works tasks. This position performs all the duties of the Utility I position in addition to the Parks Lead.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Organizes the crew’s daily work and delegates projects, helps establish crew work schedules, keeps records and daily logs and makes decisions in the field.
• Assists with the training of Volunteers and Parks Utility I and Parks Seasonal positions.
• Performs safety checks of equipment and facilities as needed taking proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent safety accidents.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to be creative and a self-starter.
• Assists Park Supervisor, with maintenance and construction jobs, and in absence of Parks Supervisor, communicates with Department Director on projects and any disciplinary actions if necessary.
• This person is seen as a working lead person. Works directly under the supervision of the Department Supervisor in addition to performing all the duties of a Utility I Parks/Cemetery position.
• Use heavy equipment such as dump trucks, backhoes, rollers, lawn mowers, bucket truck and miscellaneous grounds maintenance equipment. Labor duties such as lawn mowing, tree pruning, preparation for cemetery funerals, locate grave plots, setting headstones, roofing, painting and various other duties pertaining to parks, cemetery, and grounds equipment maintenance.
• Cemetery duties range from skilled operation of a backhoe for precision digging of grave sites and aligning the lowering device over graves to exhibiting compassion while working with the grieving individuals.

PERIPHERAL FUNCTIONS:

• Other duties as assigned by Parks Supervisor and/or Parks & Recreation Director.
• Performs routine trades work (chain link fence repair, plumbing, painting, and welding).
• Attend various training classes and seminars to obtain current information on products, practices and trends in the park maintenance field.
• May assist with the set-up and operation of special events.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of work hazards and safety precautions.
• General knowledge of park construction including some general irrigation knowledge.
• Working knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in turf and landscape maintenance and parks maintenance.
• Skill in analyzing and solving problems pertaining to area of assignment.
• Ability to safely operate and train others in the use of mechanical hand tools, and various light and heavy equipment.
• Ability to perform heavy manual tasks for extended periods of time in all types of weather conditions.
• Ability to be work effectively in a large crew, independently, or to work unsupervised.
• Ability to maintain a pleasant working relationship with fellow employees, the general public and external entitles.
• The principals of project management and scheduling of staff for projects.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical labor under adverse conditions (conditions are often hazardous and require the use of protective equipment and observation of specific safety procedures).
• Ability to present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance on city vehicles and equipment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Two (2) years college level course work in Urban Horticulture, Parks Management, or related field desired.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in parks or parks related work experience.
• Any equivalent combination of education and/or work experience and training.
• Demonstrated record of excellent work attendance.
• Must obtain and maintain a minimum of two of the following certifications or trainings within 1 year of hire:
  • Playground Safety Inspector
  • Pesticide Spray License
  • ISA Certified Arborist Certificate
  • CPR and First Aid Certifications
  • Blood Borne Pathogen Training
  • Basic Level of Turf Maintenance
  • Washington State Flagger’s Card

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• High school graduate or equivalent and 5 (five) years working experience with a municipal parks and recreation department (preferred) or public works department or construction trades or any equivalent combination of experience and education to provide the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the work required of this position.
• A valid Washington State Driver’s License with a Class “B” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or the ability to obtain a Class “B” CDL permit prior to six month probationary period and obtain a Class “B” CDL license prior to one-year anniversary date.
• First Aid/CPR Card or the ability to obtain one prior to completion of six month probationary period.
• Required to obtain a basic level of turf maintenance training within one year of hire.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The normal workweek is based on a schedule of 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, forty (40) hours per week. This position may work weekends, extended hours, nights, and holidays as needed. The job is primarily performed outside under all weather conditions. Some working conditions may be hazardous and require the use of protective equipment and the strict adherence to accepted safety procedures.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the physical strength and ability to perform moderate to heavy manual labor, including frequent bending, walking, lifting, climbing, crawling, carrying, and digging; and the ability to drive and operate equipment. Frequently lifting and/or moving a minimum of 60 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving more than 100 pounds. May need to work on ladders and high areas 20 feet high or more.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively on the telephone and in person.
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions; and comprehend, prepare, review, and evaluate written documents and text material.
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a computer and use various office equipment.
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to drive to various locations.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak workload periods or otherwise to balance the workload.