Seasonal Grounds & Snowflex Operations Laborer

Seasonal Grounds & Snowflex Operations Laborer Salary $17.00 - $18.00 Hourly

Location: IA, IA Job Type: Temporary/Seasonal Job Number: C26-05S Department: Polk County Conservation Board Opening Date: 12/17/2025 Closing Date: 3/15/2026 11:59 PM Central FLSA: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: N/A Hours: TBD Bargaining Unit Not Applicable Salary Grade: N/A Location: Sleepy Hollow Park, 4051 Dean Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317

Description Benefits Questions

Sleepy Hollow is now accepting Seasonal Grounds & Snowflex Operations Laborer applications for the Spring and Summer 2026 Season. The position will start employment in March of 2026.

The Seasonal Grounds & Snowflex Operations Employee is a six-month, full-time seasonal position that supports the overall appearance, safety, and daily operations of Sleepy Hollow Sports Park through grounds maintenance, facility upkeep, and Snowflex snow-sports operations. Employees may be assigned to grounds work, Snowflex operations, or a hybrid role, with duties that include mowing and landscaping, operating grounds equipment, performing custodial tasks, performing minor repairs, event setup, and maintaining clean, safe outdoor spaces. Snowflex responsibilities may consist of assisting guests on the conveyor lift, helping riders at the top of the hill by safely pushing tubes downhill, staging and inspecting tubes, explaining safety procedures, and performing light hill maintenance.

The role requires strong customer service skills, the ability to work outdoors in varying conditions, the ability to operate equipment safely, adherence to safety protocols, and completion of required onboarding, training, and background checks. Work is primarily outdoors, follows a 40-hour weekly schedule over a six-month term, and may involve weekends or evenings based on operational needs.

Under supervision of the lead staff, Manager, or their designee, assists full-time staff in the seasonal maintenance of county conservation board lands, facilities, and equipment. Performs a variety of semi-skilled maintenance, custodial, and laborer duties within the Conservation department; performs related work as assigned.

Illustrative Examples of Work

1. Assists full-time staff with a variety of manual labor tasks required to maintain a county park system.
2. Participates in the care of county-owned lawns, trees, shrubs, and plants. Mows and trims grass, clears brush, removes invasive species, and cuts firewood.
3. Performs on a routine basis the cleaning of restroom/shower facilities, shelters, offices, shop areas, rental facilities, and campsite areas; picks up litter and hauls waste.
4. Cleans and maintains recreation areas and playground sites; checks for safety concerns.
5. Assists with repair, light construction, painting, and other maintenance projects.
6. Maintains and operates equipment such as hand tools, power tools, service vehicles, gators, tractors, mowers, custodial cleaning equipment, and pressure washers.
7. Assists in the maintenance of county trails.
8. Replenishes custodial cleaning supplies, restroom supplies, and other stocked items in various supply areas.
9. Completes daily work logs and other forms as necessary.
10. Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Knowledge and use of hand and power tools in performing manual labor tasks. • Knowledge and use of custodial and cleaning equipment machines. • General knowledge of the techniques and methods used in tree maintenance and care. • Skill in the use and maintenance of lawn equipment including mowers/trimmers. • Ability to perform manual labor tasks in all types of weather conditions. • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. • Ability to safely operate equipment including mowers, weed eaters, and hand tools. • Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with other County employees and the general public using courtesy, patience, and tact. • Ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods. • Ability to walk on uneven surfaces. • Ability to back equipment with a trailer attached.

Training and Experience Must be 18 years of age or older. Graduation from High School or equivalent, and Experience with operation of equipment such as mowers, weed eaters, and hand tools preferred, or Any equivalent combination of training and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Pesticide Applicator's License per Iowa Code Section 206.6 is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Part-Time Positions: A criminal background check is required. A valid State of Iowa driver's license is required. Candidate must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and physical capacity testing to ensure the candidate meets the essential physical requirements of the position. A drug screen is required. CPR/AED and First Aid certification is required within six months.

On-Call and Seasonal Position: A criminal background check is required. A valid State of Iowa driver's license is required. CPR/AED and First Aid certification is required within six months.

Check with Polk County to determine if benefits are available.

01 [D1] Do you currently have a valid Iowa Drivers License? Yes No

02 [D2] Do you have the ability to obtain/maintain a valid Drivers License issued by the State of Iowa? Yes No

03 [WS2] Are you willing and able to respond to emergency requests after regular or irregular workdays and on-call emergencies on nights, weekends, and/or holidays? Yes No

04 [P3] Do you have the ability to perform work involving the lifting and carrying of materials regularly? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] weighing 50 - 100 pounds weighing up to 60 pounds weighing up to 50 pounds weighing up to 30 pounds

05 [E22] Are you experienced in operating the following equipment? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] Hand tools Power tools Mowers Acetylene torch Trailers Pressure washers Weed Eaters ATVs Custodial Cleaning Equipment None of the above

06 [WS4] I understand this position is seasonal, lasting no more than six months, and working 40 hours or less weekly. Yes No

07 [ED15] Are you currently certified in First Aid and CPR? Yes No

08 [P1] Do you have the ability to walk up and down stairs multiple times a day? Yes No

09 [M1] Are you 18 years of age or older? Yes No

10 [P2] Check all statements you can physically do: I can perform manual labor tasks in all types of weather conditions. I can climb ladders and work from heights. I can safely operate equipment such as hand tools, power tools, service vehicles, gators, tractors, custodial cleaning equipment, and pressure washers. I have the ability walk and stand for prolonged periods. I have the ability walk on uneven surfaces. I can operate vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. I can back equipment with a trailer attached.

11 [M4] Polk County Conservation does not participate in dual employment with current employees of other Polk County units. Are you looking to transfer units? Yes No

12 [ED16] Do you have the ability to obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR? Yes No

13 [WS3]{PT} You will work flexible hours as a variable-hour employee. Select all of your availability that applies. Monday - Thursday (6:00 am - 4:30 pm twice a week) & (6:00 am - 3:30 pm once a week) Tuesday - Friday (6:00 am - 4:30 pm twice a week) & (6:00 am - 3:00 pm once a week) Monday - Friday (6:00 am - 1:30 pm three times a week) & (6:00 am - 11:00 am once a week) Monday - Friday (7:00 am - 3:30 pm three times a week) & (7:00 am - 12:00 am once a week)

Required Question Employer Polk County Address 111 Court Avenue Suite 390 Human Resources Des Moines, Iowa, 50309 Phone 515-286-3200 Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/polkia