Park Maintenance Worker - Parks (Finance)

Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.

As part of Riverside County's goal to protect our natural resources, the Regional Park and Open-Space District is seeking multiple Park Maintenance Workers to join either the Santa Ana River Bottom (SARB) Unit or the Trails Unit to help open-space areas and maintain the multi-purpose trails.

The selected candidates will be part of teams working to improve conditions within the Santa Ana River Bottom or to maintain trail system managed by Parks. Key initiatives include providing resources to individuals who are currently unhoused, improving water quality, and conducting habitat restoration.

Park Maintenance Worker assigned to the Santa Ana River Bottom (SARB) will be responsible for:

• Collecting and properly disposing of garbage and debris throughout the river corridor to maintain a clean, safe, and environmentally sound landscape. This includes manual collection and safe transport to designated disposal sites.
• Protecting native plant life by removing invasive species through labor-intensive efforts, including raking, digging, and applying herbicidal treatments in accordance with environmental and safety guidelines.
• Operating heavy equipment, such as dump trucks, to haul large volumes of debris and materials from the riverbed and surrounding areas, supporting habitat restoration and site cleanup efforts.
• Utilizing track loaders and mini-excavators to safely and efficiently load waste and natural materials into roll-off containers for proper removal and recycling or disposal.
• Installing and repairing fencing and gates, including in remote or rugged areas, to ensure restricted zones remain secure and to protect sensitive habitats from unauthorized access.
• Conducting preventive maintenance and minor repairs on a variety of small-engine equipment, including tractors, riding mowers, small trucks, chainsaws, weed-whippers, and blowers, to keep tools in optimal working condition and minimize downtime.
• Assist in emergency situations, such as responding to accidents, coordinating with emergency responders, and helping to safely evacuate visitors if necessary. Workers are expected to remain calm, follow established protocols, and provide first-response support until additional help arrives.

Park Maintenance Workers assigned to the multi-purpose trails and open-space areas will also:

• Coordinate and train volunteers for special weekend events, including clean-up efforts, trail improvement projects, and community outreach programs, ensuring all participants understand safety protocols and project goals.
• Demonstrate strong communication and customer service skills by engaging respectfully with a diverse range of park visitors, from youth groups to seniors, answering questions, providing directions, and promoting awareness of park rules and conservation efforts.
• Maintain trail conditions throughout the year, with a focus on erosion control during the rainy season. This includes grading surfaces, clearing debris, and operating medium- to large-sized heavy equipment such as tractors and skid-steer loaders to ensure safe, accessible pathways.
• Enhance the trail landscape by performing routine maintenance tasks like trimming overgrown vegetation, planting native species, and ensuring signage and trail markers are clearly visible and in good condition to improve the overall visitor experience.
• Inspecting park buildings and facilities for maintenance issues, and performing minor repairs such as fixing leaks, patching surfaces, or addressing safety hazards to ensure all structures are functional and visitor-ready.

Additional responsibilities across both roles may include carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and engaging with the public answering park users' questions and informing them of park rules and regulations.

Highly competitive candidates will possess:

• A valid Commercial California Class A Driver License
• Experience operating heavy equipment such as John Deere tractors and Skid-Steer Loaders
• Experience using ArcGIS for plotting areas such as abandoned encampments and/or GPS tools
• Knowledge of herbicide and pesticide applications (QAL or QAC certification preferred)
• Knowledge in welding fabrication

Work Schedules:

• SARB Unit: Monday-Friday, 5/40 schedule (Saturday and Sunday off), 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
• Multi-Purpose Trails Unit: Tuesday-Saturday, 5/40 schedule (Sunday and Monday off), 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM

(Schedules may vary depending on department needs. Overtime, holiday, and evening shifts may be required per department need.)

** Uniforms are provided **

The Park Maintenance Worker - Parks is a first professional level classification and reports to an appropriate supervisory or manager level position. The Park Maintenance Worker - Parks is distinguished from the Grounds Worker classification by the former's assignment of skilled and semi-skilled work.

The Park Maintenance Worker - Parks is distinguished from the Grounds Worker classification by the former's assignment of skilled and semi-skilled work.

Meet the Team!

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District is a nationally accredited agency who strives to be the regional leader in improving lives through people, parks, places, and programs. Their mission is to acquire, protect, develop, manage, and interpret for the inspiration, use, and enjoyment of all people, a well-balanced system of areas of outstanding scenic, recreational, and historic importance.

Click here to learn about the benefits of working for the County of Riverside. • Maintain park facilities by mowing, raking, cleaning, fertilizing, and watering park areas; maintain and improve camp and picnic areas by removing brush, weeds, and other materials; clear and maintain equestrian trails; remove dead trees and branches by using chain and hand saws; plant and maintain trees; remove trash and debris from lake and shore areas.

• Move docks on lakes when water level changes; clean, sanitize, and service restrooms and other public facilities; clean, maintain, and build picnic tables, benches, camp stoves, fire pits, and similar park facilities.

• Operate a variety of trucks and tractors in hauling trash, dirt and rocks, and in clearing and leveling park areas and roadways.

• Perform minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work such as repairing faucets and sprinkler heads, replacing washers, unclogging drains, repairing electrical wall switches and ceiling lights, repairing benches and playground equipment, and replacing broken windows; perform semi-skilled maintenance work in cutting and laying pipe for the maintenance and repair of irrigation systems, painting buildings and equipment, and laying bricks and rocks for retaining walls and drinking fountains.

• Maintain and perform minor repairs on vehicles. Required Experience: OPTION I
Experience: Two years of performing any combination of the following: grounds or building maintenance and repair, debris removal, ranch work, plumbing, carpentry, metal fabrication, electrical, heating and cooling, landscape gardening including irrigation, habitat restoration, light to medium duty tractor maintenance, farming. (Completion of college level courses from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of 30 semester or 45 quarter units equaling one year of full-time experience.)

OPTION II
Experience: Two years as a Park Attendant with the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District.

License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License at the time of application is required, as the incumbent will be driving a County vehicle to various locations. A valid California Class A Commercial Driver's License is preferred.

Physical Exposures: The Park Maintenance Worker - Parks role involves extensive hiking, kneeling, bending, standing, using hand tools, climbing, and operating machinery. The position requires working in varied weather conditions, handling chemicals, adhering to welding safety protocols, managing high noise levels, and moving heavy objects. Workers may be exposed to wild and domestic animals, as well as hazardous plants such as rattlesnakes, bees, wild boars, mountain lions, dogs, poison oak, and stinging nettles. Occasional exposure to strong or unpleasant natural and environmental odors such as decaying vegetation, wildlife, or refuse will occur in outdoor park settings.

Other Requirements:

Skills: Basic plumbing, electrical, and carpentry skills.
Knowledge of: Common tools, equipment, and materials used in maintenance work; basic vehicle preventive maintenance techniques.

Ability to: Read and follow written instructions and write simple reports; perform a variety of routine grounds, building, equipment, and vehicle preventive maintenance and repair; operate equipment, and learn procedures and safety techniques used in performing maintenance and minor construction projects; deal courteously and tactfully with the general public.

Some Regional Park and Open-Space District Park Maintenance Worker - Parks positions are designated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) as safety-sensitive.

For positions which been designated by the DOT as safety-sensitive, applicants are required to complete a DOT mandated alcohol and drug-screening. (A positive test or refusal to test during the past two years will disqualify an applicant from consideration for County employment). Reference checks from former DOT regulated employers are also required.

Employees in safety-sensitive positions are subject to DOT alcohol/drug testing in the following situations: random, reasonable suspicion/cause, return-to-duty, and post-accident.

For detailed requirements, visit DOT Requirements . This recruitment is open to all applicants.

If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Silvia Trammell at strammell@rivco.com .