Parks Worker

Parks Worker

Salary

$52,635.70 Annually

Location

Multiple Locations, Madison, WI

Job Type

PERMANENT FULL TIME

Job Number

2026-00279

Department

Parks

Opening Date

09/23/2026

Closing Date

10/1/2026 11:59 PM Central

Comp. Group/Range

16/04

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

This is routine entry-level work in the performance of varied public works maintenance and construction activities within the Parks Division. Work includes laboring tasks, equipment operation, the use of hand and power tools for grounds and building maintenance work, the routine maintenance of tools and equipment, and related cleaning and maintenance of Parks facilities and grounds.

This particular vacancy will spend a large amount of time in park natural areas in winter. Work will require basic tree and shrub identification and will involve brush removal. Work is performed independently or as part of a team and is directed and reviewed by a leadworker or designated supervisor for conformance with established procedures and/or objectives. Employees may be responsible for overseeing and leading the work of a small group of seasonal laborers.

Skills Needed in this Position:

• Knowledge of grounds, landscape, tree, and park maintenance practices.
• Ability to identify and address safety, maintenance, and facility-related issues and follow established procedures.
• Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions and safely handle materials, equipment, and tools.

The current recruitment is to fill two (2) vacancies. In addition, this recruitment will establish a candidate pool to fill any Parks Worker vacancies that may arise over the next six (6) months.

Work Schedule: Positions are scheduled for 40 hours per week. Hours vary by season, with start times ranging from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and end times ranging from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn't match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Ground and Buildings Maintenance

• Perform grounds and building maintenance tasks such as mowing parks, greenways, cemetery, and boulevards using mowers and string trimmers.
• Establish and maintain ice skating rinks, including installing and removing hockey boards and daily clearing and flooding.
• Remove snow and ice from paths, sidewalks, parking lots, bus stops, etc.
• Remove trash from parks, boulevards, and assigned routes, including picking trash and emptying barrels.
• Prune and assist with removal of trees and shrubs using chainsaws and various hand tools. Clean up and mulch leaves in fall and spring.
• Perform regular maintenance of tree and shrub, perennial and annual flower beds, including planting, weeding, watering, mulching, deadheading, pruning, and seasonal change-outs. Maintain natural meadows and control invasive species.
• Perform regular playground maintenance, including removal of litter and graffiti, raking and redistributing loose fill surfacing evenly, performing visual inspections, and reporting issues to the supervisor or leadworker as necessary.
• Perform athletic field maintenance as required.
• Clean and stock park shelters and restrooms.
• Perform restoration tasks of natural areas such as supporting prescribed burns and invasive species removal by mowing, hand-pulling or applying herbicide.

Equipment and Facility Maintenance

• Perform preventive maintenance of mowers, including blade sharpening, greasing, oil changes, power washing, etc.
• Maintain clean and safe work area in the field, as well as shop, work, and common areas of maintenance facilities.
• Clean equipment and vehicles as needed.
• Transport equipment and vehicles for use, maintenance, storage, etc.
• Report damages and/or repairs to supervisor or mechanic as appropriate.

Miscellaneous

• Report maintenance or safety-related issues to supervisor or leadworker in a timely fashion.
• Perform maintenance tasks in the following areas, as assigned: golf course, mall/concourse, cemetery, conservation parks, general parks, forestry, and botanical gardens.
• Maintain picnic tables, benches, and hockey boards.
• Drive tractor and hay wagon for fall hayrides and special events.
• Drive UTV and snow grooming equipment to groom cross country ski trails.
• Set-up and preparation for special events within parks.
• Maintain appropriate records as assigned.
• Direct the work of hourly personnel as assigned.

Perform other related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) months of experience as a City of Madison Parks seasonal laborer.

• OR-

• Three (3) months of equivalent public works, landscaping, or construction experience that included the performance of varied manual tasks.

Based on the number of qualified applicants, random selection may be used to determine which applicants will move forward in the selection process.

For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the class specification.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Drivers License

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift/carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds frequently and must be capable of lifting 100 pounds maximum weight.
• Ability to frequently bend, twist, squat, climb, and reach for extended periods of time.
• This position requires a high percentage of work outdoors in all types of weather.
• Employees are expected to safely use pesticides and fertilizers as necessary.

The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.

Compensation

The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current salary schedules for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.

Benefits

The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our website for more information.

Leave

Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.

0-3 years 10 work days of vacation

After 3 years 12-1/2 days

After 7 years 15 days

After 11 years 17-1/2 days

After 15 years 20 days

After 19 years 25 days

After 27 years 27 days

Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.

Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve).

Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.

Retirement

The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Insurance

The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
• Long Term Care Insurance

Other Benefits

The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:

• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training

01

Positions are scheduled for 40 hours per week. Hours vary by season, with start times ranging from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and end times ranging from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• ACKNOWLEDGED

02

Do you have at least three (3) months of experience working as a seasonal laborer for the City of Madison Parks Division? [Please note that this is not a requirement for this position]

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have at least three (3) months of public works, landscaping, or construction experience that involved varied manual tasks.

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered yes, please describe the experience from above, including how long you performed this work and where the experience was obtained.

05

Please indicate if you have been a participant in any of the following programs or attended any listed outreach events.

• Centro
• Latino Academy of Workforce Development
• Operation Fresh Start
• Urban League
• WRTP: Big Step
• Other

06

If you were a participant in any of the programs listed above, please indicate the specific program name and the year(s) in which you participated. [Example: Operation Fresh Start Conservation Academy, 2026]

Required Question

Employer Madison, City of (WI)

Address 215 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.

MMB Rm 261

MADISON, Wisconsin, 53703

Phone (608) 266-4615

Website http://www.cityofmadison.com/jobs