PARK TECHNICIAN
Parks & Recreation / Parks & Forestry

City of Salina is seeking to hire a full-time employee experienced in landscape & horticulture work with irrigation & equipment operation skills. The Park Technician contributes to the beauty & upkeep of community spaces, ensuring that parks, medians, & recreational areas are safe & visually appealing for citizens. Work in maintaining irrigation systems, trees, & landscapes directly enhances the quality of life for residents, fostering a connection with nature. The role allows for a balance of physical activity & thoughtful problem-solving, offering variety in daily routine & promoting personal wellness. With duties ranging from equipment operation to pest control, this position is critical in sustaining Salina’s green spaces while scheduled work hours provide a fulfilling work-life balance.

Career Advancement: Park Operations Manager

On-the-Job Training:  The Park Technician will receive hands-on, on-the-job training from experienced staff who are dedicated to the success of new employees. Our team will guide our next Park Technician in the operation of specialized equipment, irrigation systems, & landscaping techniques, ensuring the development of skills needed to excel in the role. The supportive work environment fosters growth, encouraging employees to build long-term careers within the Parks & Recreation Department. 

Duties:
· Prepares & maintains parks, athletic fields, medians, recreation facilities, & other public facilities as well as the construction & maintenance of grounds within city owned parks, & community buildings.
· Performs work in installation, operation, maintenance, & repair of in-ground sprinkler systems.
· Plans & performs work in seeding, planting & maintaining turf, trees, & shrubs including watering, trimming, mowing, fertilizing, aerification, weed & pest control.
· Applies fertilizers & pesticides as required; recognizes plant diseases & takes appropriate action to counteract.
· Operates trucks, mowers, utility vehicles, & other light equipment; operates blowers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, skid steer, spraying equipment, tractors & attachments, & other similar equipment or vehicles.
· Performs preventative & routine maintenance; performs equipment safety inspections; services & performs minor repairs to equipment.
· Provides custodial services for parks & facilities including cleaning of restrooms & removal of trash & debris.
· Leads work crews & maintains records of activities & routine operational records; works on special projects & assignments; responds to weather & other emergencies.
· Assists other staff as necessary; interacts with the public; maintains & enforces park rules.

Education:
· High school diploma or G.E.D.
· Must obtain certified pesticide license within two (2) years from start date of employment.

Experience:
· One (1) year work experience in the areas of irrigation work, general horticulture and/or landscape maintenance & equipment operation.

Requirements: 
· Must possess a valid Kansas driver’s license.

Work Type: 
· Heavy, exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
· Extensive amount of walking.
· Works in possible adverse weather conditions.

Equipment:
· Back hoes, blowers, chain saws, chippers, dump trucks, hand & power tools, hedge trimmers, man-lift, mowers including precision mowers, seeder & top dresser, skid steer, spraying equipment, tractors & attachments, tree spade, two-way radios, utility vehicles, vehicles, & other similar equipment or vehicles.

Hours:
· Monday – Friday.
· 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Starting Pay DOQ:
· $20.12-21.13/hr.
· $41,850-43,950/yr.
· Additional $1.50/hour paid for hours worked after 6:00 p.m. & before 6:00 a.m.

Paid Time Off:
· 48 hours of vacation available upon hire; additional 48 hours earned during the year (96 hours in first year).
· 96 hours of sick leave during first year.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug-Free Workplace: We consider applicants for all jobs without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or familial status.  Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the Human Resources Department at 785-309-5710.

TH 02/05/2026