Park Specialist

Park Specialist

Salary

$61,674.48 - $78,731.04 Annually

Location

Lake Oswego, Oregon, OR

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-08-4015P

Department

Parks

Division

Park Maintenance

Opening Date

07/24/2026

Closing Date

8/9/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

LOMEA

• Description
• Benefits

The Position

Park Specialists perform skilled maintenance, operations, and service tasks throughout the City's park system. This role is ideal for a motivated individual with hands-on experience in landscape, turf, facility, and irrigation maintenance who wants to contribute to a forward-thinking, community focused parks program. Park Specialists help ensure parks and facilities remain safe, functional, and visually appealing for all users. The position is represented by the Lake Oswego Municipal Employees' Association.

The Department: Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation is dedicated to creating exceptional experiences that inspire community connection, healthy living, and enjoyment of the city's natural beauty. The Parks Division manages more than 650 acres of City-owned land, including developed parks, playgrounds, natural areas, special-use facilities, athletic fields, and the municipal golf course. The team provides safe, welcoming, and well-maintained spaces with a strong commitment to sustainability and inclusive access for the entire community. Staff also support major community events such as the Farmers Market, summer concerts, Festival of the Arts, park dedications, and tree lighting activities. Working with Lake Oswego Parks means joining a collaborative, service-oriented team dedicated to stewardship, innovation, and enhancing the quality of life for all.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain landscapes, facilities, and turf areas to high standards.
• Clean and service park facilities, including trash removal, restroom upkeep, and repair or replacement of amenities such as benches, fencing, and fountains.
• Prepare City parks and natural areas for events.
• Perform assigned specialty projects and related tasks.
• Read and interpret maps, plans, drawings, and work orders.
• Follow all safety procedures, regulations, and training materials, including SDS documents.
• Operate and maintain equipment such as mowers, utility vehicles, chainsaws, blowers, and irrigation controls.
• Support natural areas, facilities, athletic fields, and Golf Course needs as assigned, including routine upkeep, light restoration, seasonal tasks, and event or weather-related assistance, while collaborating effectively with team members and maintaining clear, professional communication.
• Provide courteous, professional customer service to park users and community members.

Education and Experience Requirements

Qualified candidates must be able to safely drive or operate vehicles, equipment, machines and tools. Establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with employees, contractors, other departments/agencies, City officials, and the general public. Candidates must have the ability to read, write and use a computer for basic functions and the ability to perform strenuous tasks including but not limited to pushing, lifting, digging and manipulating often while reaching or bending in limited space.

Desired Certificates and Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong customer service skills.

• Knowledge of sustainable practices and water conservation.

• Basic understanding of turfgrass and irrigation maintenance.

• General knowledge of athletic field, facility, natural area, and park upkeep.

• Familiarity with water feature maintenance.

Requirements:

• Candidates must possess a valid Oregon Drivers License and may be asked to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
• Positions in this classification will be required to obtain a Public Pesticide Applicators License.
• Additional licensing may be required.
• Must be able to perform work in inclement weather; work on call and varying shifts; and work cooperatively with other employees. Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of a Physical Capacity Exam (PCE).
• This position is subject to mandatory participation in electronic funds transfer (EFT) for payment of net wages (i.e., Direct Deposit or Pay Card).

For a complete list of the essential duties, knowledge, skills and abilities required, and physical and mental demands please review the complete job description.

Supplemental Information

Application Process: You may visit our web site at www.ci.oswego.or.us to access the online application process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application. The City application must be submitted by: 5:00 P.M., Sunday, August 9th, 2026

BENEFIT SUMMARY - LOMEA members

The City of Lake Oswego offers a wide range of benefits as part of your total compensation package. This summary is a general outline of the benefits that are available to regular status employees that are employed for 20 or more hours per week. Please contact Human Resources with any questions.

Medical/Vision Insurance

City of Lake Oswego offers 2 plan options for you and your dependents.

• Regence Blue Cross BlueShield or Oregon and VSP Vision-Traditional PPO

In-network and out-of-network coverage, no referral for specialist care.

• Kaiser Permanente Medical and Vision

Services provided exclusively by Kaiser providers through a primary care physician (PCP).

Detailed benefit plan summaries for each plan is available upon request. The monthly employee cost for health insurance depends on the plan selected and if dependents are enrolled.

Dental Insurance

Comprehensive coverage through 2 plan options for you and your dependents.

• Delta Dental PPO-Moda Health Plan

In-network and out-of-network coverage, no referral for specialist care

• Kaiser Permanente Dental

Kaiser dentists agree to provide services to you at a discounted, negotiated fees and copays. Out-of-network services are not covered.

With your choice, you will have access to a plan that includes preventive, routine and major dental care as well as orthodontic benefits for child dependents. There is no monthly cost to employee's for dental insurance.

Life Insurance

Standard Life Insurance Company

City paid insurance amount of $50,000 for Basic Life and $50,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment

Supplemental life insurance coverage available for purchase for you, your spouse and dependents with guaranteed issue amounts (GI).

Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD)

Standard Life Insurance Company

City paid long-term disability (LTD) insurance plan which guarantees that you will receive 60% of your salary, up to $4,000, following a 90-day waiting period.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

SAIF Corporation

You are provided workers' compensation insurance in accordance with Oregon Revised Statues.

Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

Benefits paid by PERS are funded from 2 sources:

• Member IAP contributions* paid on your behalf by the City (currently 6% of subject salary); and
• Employer contributions*
• contributions are made 6 months after employment (unless you are a previous or current member of PERS) and amounts are determined by PERS.

Vesting: Employee IAP Account - immediately, Pension Benefit Employer Contribution- 5 calendar years

Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

Canopy

The EAP offers 5 confidential counseling and 24-hour crisis help to employees and their families at no cost. Other services include educational resources, legal assistance and financial help.

Voluntary Employee Benefits Account (VEBA)

HRA Veba

City contributions* are made to a health reimbursement account to reimburse qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses and premiums you may incur on behalf of yourself, your spouse, dependents. The contribution amount is $100 per month.

• Contributions contributed monthly by the City or with leave transfer and/or cash-out funds.

Deferred Compensation Plan

MissinSquare Retirement

The City offers a 457(b) deferred compensation retirement plan. Contribution amounts can be specified as a percentage or dollar amount for pre-tax and/or Roth contributions. Eligibility is at hire and participation in this plan is voluntary.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Allegiance

Flexible Spending Accounts save you money by reducing the taxes you pay. Your FSA contributions are deducted from each paycheck before federal, FICA and, in most cases, state taxes are calculated. Use your FSA contributions to pay for eligible expenses incurred by you, your spouse, and your dependents.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed throughout the year:

New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Birthday, President's Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and one Personal Holiday.

In some years, employees are also eligible for 4 hours holiday on Christmas Eve and 4 hours holiday on New Years' Eve.

Vacation

Employees shall accumulate vacation in the following manner:

0-3 years:12 days (8 hours per month)

4-9 years:16.5 days (11 hours per month)

10-15 years:21.5 days (14.33 hours per month)

16-19 years:23.5 days (15.66 hours per month)

20+ years:25 days (16.67 hours per month)

Part-time employee vacation hours are pro-rated based on hours worked. Vacation time may accumulate to maximum of 2 times yearly accrual. Excess vacation time will be transferred to employees VEBA account.

Sick Leave

At hire, 48 hours of sick time will be available. After a full 6 months of employment, sick hours will then be accrued a monthly basis at a rate of 8 hours per month.

Part-time employee sick hours are pro-rated based on hours worked. Sick leave may be accumulated to 1080 hours. Anything over 1080 hours will be transferred to employees VEBA account.

Employer City of Lake Oswego

Address PO Box 369

Lake Oswego, Oregon, 97034

Phone 503.534.4244

503.635.0220

Website http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/hr