Job Description

Columbia Association, headquartered in Howard County, Maryland, is known for engaging our diverse community, cultivating a unique sense of place, and enhancing the quality of life in Columbia, Maryland, all thanks to the efforts of our remarkable team members. If you share in our passion for teamwork and our vision, we want you to fast-forward your career with us at Columbia Association.

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICES - OPEN SPACE OPERATIONS SPECIAL PROJECTS SPECIALIST

Under the immediate direction of the Open Space Operations Foreman, the Open Space Operations Senior Crew Supervisor will perform tasks and duties of a skilled nature in the performance of the routine or special maintenance of the Columbia Association’s Open Space property. They will function as a crew leader if assigned to do so without his/her immediate Open Space Operations Forman. They should be able to perform most if not all the duties for short periods of time. They are responsible for scheduling, participating with, assigning and supervising the performance of team members and contractors while implementing the Annual Open Space Maintenance Program. This includes the maintenance and assurance of safety of playgrounds, pathways, bridges, plaza areas, parking lots, lakes, ponds, streams and snow removal. They will also be required to assist with generating ideas, suggestions and overseeing programs and projects that protect and enhance Columbia Association amenities. They will respond to and resolve various concerns and requests submitted by Columbia residents, contractors, Columbia Association internal Departments, county, state, and local agencies. The Senior Crew Supervisor duties include interaction with Columbia’s diverse community, and it is essential for the Senior Crew Supervisor to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Essential functions:
• Able to drive CDL (Restricted Class A License)

• Able to visually inspect (with or without corrective lenses) conditions of grounds and facilities.

• Must follow and help enforce all safety procedures

• Able to lift up to 80 pounds unassisted.

• Must be able to work outside under any kind of weather condition.

• Must be able to work with and around wildlife.

• Must be able to use the required power equipment and hand tools efficiently and safely.

• Must have good eye-hand coordination.

• Must be able to stand for entire shift

• Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods of time.

• Ability to work under unfavorable conditions, exposure to odors, waste, dust, and chemicals.

• Ability to follow directions from team leaders and management in verbal and or written form.

• Ability to work independently on assigned or special tasks/projects.

• Ability to work on multiple tasks and complete assignments within specified deadlines.

• Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to Team Members/Leaders and other organizations as directed by your Team Leader.

• Must be able, once trained by your Team leader to recognize and appropriately report on potential defects and hazards in your area and amenities, be able to suggest whatever corrective actions may be necessary to ensure the public’s safety.

• Must be able to give information on your Team Members' performance to help your supervisor complete annual review accurately. Must be able to work overtime and weekends as required.

Additional responsibilities:

• Must be able to trim and rake lawn areas, rake leaves, cut weeds, and collect trash.

• Must be able to report on evidence of diseases or pests, damages or other unsafe conditions on the open space.

• Must be able to operate small power equipment and a variety of hand tools.

• They will be responsible for performing all work in a safe and professional manner.

• They will function as the crew’s Open Space Operations Foreman in the absence of his/her immediate Team Leader.

• They will properly and safely operate all vehicles, larger mower equipment, and a wide variety of hand and power tools and light equipment used in the maintenance of the open space.

• They will routinely serve as a Team Leader for a small to medium number of Team Members of equal or lower grade when necessary.

• Once trained they will be required to periodically perform administrative duties in compliance with Columbia Association policies and procedures, this would include, but is not limited to, Workers Compensation reports, Accident Reports, Graffiti/Vandalism reports, Daily Task Timesheets, Personnel Injury Reports and Inventory Lists.

• They will perform other tasks as assigned by their manager or department head.

• They will share responsibility with the Team Leader for training Team Members in the operation of all equipment and vehicles in a safe and effective manner.

• They will assist the Team Leader in preventive and daily maintenance of light and heavy equipment.

• They will perform light to semi-skilled basic carpentry and masonry tasks to repair and ensure the safety of existing structures and amenities.

• They will apply lime, fertilizer, and seed as directed and ensure the proper rate of application is applied and the proper forms to document this application are filled out and turned into the appropriate Supervisor.

• They will also participate in the inventorying of all open space land, amenities, equipment, and properly report any losses and or damage to their team leader.

• They will perform and comply with the required safety checks and maintenance procedures and assist in training other Team Members in the proper and safe operation of equipment and operating procedures.

• They will provide authorized support to community events sponsored by Villages, Neighborhoods, the Columbia Association's Departments and Divisions and outside organizations. The nature and extent of this support will be directed by and conveyed to Sr. Technician by your Team Leader

• They will assist the Team Leader with locating and reporting gang related activity/graffiti and assisting with the removal and documentation and reporting of these types of incidences.

• Must be able to respond to residents/public/business questions about our maintenance program in the Team Leaders absence in a professional manner. They must be able to answer routine questions and be able to refer complex questions to the Team Leader. They must be able to convey this information to the requestor professionally and politely.

• Must be able to read and understand property plans to determine where the property lines are located.

• Must be able to properly fell and limb trees of many sizes

• Must be able to monitor and make basic repairs to landscape fountains and aeration systems and possess the ability to perform basic startup and shutdowns of these systems.

• Under the direction of your Team Leader, you must understand and be able to make basic repairs to and operate several types of irrigation systems.

• Must understand and be able to perform basic repairs and preventive maintenance services to all powered equipment assigned to the crew (chainsaws, weed eaters, push/ride on mowers, and boats etcetera).

• Must be able to deal with conflicts.

Qualifications and skills:

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Requires a valid MD DOT CDL Restricted Class A license with a safe driving record

• Knowledge and skills of specialized equipment and practices beyond the level of a Crew Supervisor, including asphalt paving, aquatic weed harvesting, forestry mulching, excavator operations, and construction.

• Knowledge or certification in a specialized field including Park Management, Playground Safety, Arboriculture, Turf Management, Stormwater Management, Pesticides, GIS systems.

• Four years of technical and/or leadership experience with the Columbia Association Open Space Management or equivalent work experience at a similar agency.

• Must achieve their Pesticide Applicators Certification.

• Must achieve and maintain 30-hour OSHA Certification.

• Must have essential knowledge of playground safety.

• Must pass the Department of Transportation Physical Fitness Certification Examination (DOT).

• May be required to obtain a Maryland Boaters Safety Education Certification.

• Must obtain a Powered Industrial Truck Operator's Permit.

• Must obtain Defensive driving certification.

• Must have a basic knowledge of proper horticulture practices.

• Must be able to properly and safely operate equipment used in park maintenance. This experience includes the operation of backhoes, track loaders and bobcats etc.

• Must achieve MD Fertilizer applicator license.

• Must achieve NRPA Playground Maintenance Management certification within the first year.

Education:
• Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED diploma)

Physical demands:

• Ability to stand for entire shift

• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and climb without any difficulty.

• Ability to effectively work at different heights

• Lifting up to 80 pounds

Work environment:

• Must be able to work in all kinds of outside weather conditions (extreme cold / extreme heat, rain, snow, etc.)

• Ability to work in wet and humid environments.

• Able to tolerate typical exposure to lawn care chemicals, odors, waste, and dust as normally experienced in park operations, and landscape work

Compensation and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $24.23 to $29.00. The actual pay rate offered will depend on the overall qualifications of the individual applicant for the position and the amount budgeted for the role. CA offers a positive, fun work environment and a generous benefits package. Part-time benefits include a free Fit & Play membership, Wellness benefits w/Perks and some paid leave. Full-time benefits include medical, dental, vision, insurance, 401(k), a free Fit & Play membership, Wellness benefits w/perks and paid leave.

Columbia Association is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. EOE/ADA. We encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our organization. Over and above non-discrimination, CA’s mission includes engaging our diverse community and meeting the evolving needs of a dynamic and inclusive community. That’s why we welcome folks of diverse or marginalized backgrounds and abilities to apply to become part of the CA team.