Grounds Maintenance Crew Leader

Job Description

Position Description

The City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities are currently seeking experienced grounds maintenance workers with strong leadership skills to oversee the daily activities of grounds maintenance workers and other assigned staff. Duties also include interaction with the general public, cultivation and care of lawns, flowers, plants, trees, and ornamental shrubbery, right of way maintenance, operation and maintenance of a variety of tools, equipment, and vehicles. Some aspects of the job will require the proper use and disposal of pesticides.

If the below list of personal traits sounds like you, then you are just the type of person we are looking for to join our team as a Grounds Maintenance Crew Lead.

• Excellent attendance
• Enjoy working both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather conditions
• Great customer service
• Enjoy leading work crews as part of a team effort
• Enjoy physically demanding and a variety of job tasks

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Heavy manual labor may include lifting up to 50 lbs without assistance and/or over 75 lbs with assistance, digging, climbing and walking long distances with equipment or tools.
• Outdoor environment; subject to adverse weather conditions.
• Incumbents in this classification are exposed to noise, chemicals and dangers of working in the vicinity of energized objects such as high voltage lines, transformers and generators.
• May be required to drive heavy equipment over steep and rugged banks, canyons and in the vicinity of heavily traveled roads.

Qualifications

An equivalent combination of four (4) years of education, training or experience which provides the background required to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the essential duties of the classification in the care of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns, including the care and maintenance of gardening tools, equipment and facilities.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State Commercial Driver's License with tanker endorsement and air brake restrictions removed, must be obtained prior to completion of probation with maintenance thereafter. After hire, employee must obtain the appropriate endorsement(s) required by the department prior to completion of probation with maintenance thereafter.

• Flagging Certification by completion of probation with maintenance thereafter
• First Aid and CPR Card by completion of probation with maintenance thereafter
• Valid Public Pesticide Operator's License
• May be required to obtain additional endorsements as appropriate with maintenance thereafter
• May be required to obtain a Backflow Testing Certificate with maintenance thereafter

Knowledge & Skills

• Technical aspects and application of grounds maintenance and landscape construction, practices and procedures
• Current health and safety regulations governing chemicals and equipment utilized in grounds maintenance and landscape construction work
• Plant species and planting techniques
• Standard practices, materials, methods and tools utilized in propagating, raising and caring for plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns
• Current symptoms, methods of control and treatment of plant disease and insect pests
• Types of soil required in propagating and growing varied plants and types of fertilizer and methods of use
• Installation and maintenance of irrigation and lawn sprinkling systems and other facilities
• Proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment used in grounds maintenance activities
• Principles and practices of supervising the daily activities of assigned grounds maintenance workers and other assigned employees
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
• Prepare and maintain routine records and reports using proper oral and written communication skills
• Estimate labor and material costs
• Calibrate and operate spray equipment safely
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations
• Lift heavy objects in awkward and confined spaces, using proper lifting and rigging techniques
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Perform heavy manual labor
• Meet schedules and time lines
• Operate, service and make minor repairs on equipment

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Application Process

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Veterans and or qualifying spouses/domestic partners wishing to be considered for veteran's preference must attach a copy of DD214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at the time of application to be considered for veteran's preference.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the Neogov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

Supplemental Questions

This is a competitive selection process. Applicants will be required to respond to written questions outlining their experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions #5 to #12 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. These questions will be scored based on the information provided. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers, including your roles in the position and key activities. DO NOT respond with ‘see resume’ in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score. Providing false information will result in disqualification.

Accommodations : We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during this process, please contact Human Resources at (253) 591-5400.

Compensation & Benefits

Hourly Rate: $40.02 - $46.33

Annual Salary: $83,241.60 - $96,366.40

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 11/18/2026 5:00 PM Pacific