Parks Maintenance & Operations
Parks Maintenance and Operations workers are responsible for the construction, inspection, and maintenance of public spaces, municipally-owned property, and major parks programs, such as: daily maintenance, playground inspection, tree planting, landscaping, and irrigation.
Job titles may vary by organizations.
Grounds Maintenance Foreman
Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers assist with constructing landscapes and related structures.
The work of landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers includes maintaining:
- lawns
- gardens
- athletic fields
- golf courses
- cemeteries
- parks
- landscaped interiors
People in this occupational group work for landscaping and lawn care companies, golf courses, cemeteries, as well as the landscaping operations of public works departments and private organizations.
Common Job Titles
- Groundskeeper, Stadium
- Landscaping
- Lawn Care
- Sod Laying
Salary Range
Employment Trends 2019–2029
- Annual employment growth: 1.2%
- Job openings: 5,600
Salary: $33,280
Source: CareerTrek BC
Stories
Viviana rides along with an assistant superintendent of golf course maintenance in Kamloops. He describes his work in landscaping, trail maintenance, road upkeep, stonework, pest control, machine operation, and management.
Required Skills, Training and Education
Education:
- Completion of High School
- A provincial licence to apply chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides may be required.
Key Skills
- Critical thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Monitoring
- Time management
Parks Attendant
Turn your love of the outdoors and physical work into an opportunity to make a difference in our community’s recreation and playground areas, cemeteries and parks. Park Attendants are responsible for the cleanliness, maintenance, and minor repair of the recreational buildings, washrooms and dressing rooms, and for the maintenance of the playground, floral areas, lawn, trees and related adjacent areas. In addition, the incumbent will be required to assist with and direct the work of others.
Salary Range
This position is unionized and the hourly rate of pay is from $21.16 to $24.91 per hour (2016 rate)
Required Skills, Training and Education
Education and Experience
- Grade 12 diploma
- Completion of parks related courses (such as Plant ID, Soils, Irrigation & Drainage, Turf Maintenance, Arboriculture, Parks Construction, Playground Maintenance) and
- Experience in general parks maintenance, horticulture or arboriculture work.
- A valid driver’s licence and be able to provide a satisfactory driver’s abstract.
- Completion of pesticide certification is considered an asset.
Parks Equipment Service Person
Install and repair park irrigation systems, sport field and playground structures and equipment.
Job responsibilities may include:
- Assemble, construct, repair, paint, transport and install various park, playground and sports field equipment such as benches, pedestrian and vehicle barriers, signage, picnic tables, swings, play structures, goal posts, chain link and wood fences and drinking fountains; construct forms and pour concrete pads; conduct routine inspections of park, playground and sports field equipment; repair boulevard hydrant services.
- Lay out irrigation systems and playgrounds from plans; install, maintain and repair irrigation systems and controllers; winterize irrigation systems, drinking fountains and park washrooms; install, test, certify and maintain backflow prevention devices; understand and operate irrigation controllers and use a software program for water management and irrigation scheduling; perform system audits and outputs of various water features and devices.
- Operate and maintain equipment such as drill press, jackhammer, various power saws, trencher, grinder; operate vehicles and tractors to transport equipment and material.
- Determine equipment and material requirements; complete daily work records; maintain a variety of records, sketches and reports for maintenance and new installations.
- Read and interpret engineering plans, drawings for system designs and location of utilities; respond to general inquiries from staff and the public. Provide instructions and information to other staff as required.
- Perform related duties where qualified.
Salary Range
$29.05 per hour (2016 rate)
Required Skills, Training and Education
Skills
- Organize and prioritize work.
- Understand and apply the techniques of carpentry, painting, finishing, plumbing, metalworking, concrete finishing and playground inspection.
- Understand and apply the techniques of installing and maintaining irrigation systems.
- Use hand and power tools, equipment and instruments.
- Read and interpret engineering plans.
- Maintain accurate records.
- Work safely on job sites.
Education
- High school graduation.
- Current and valid Class 5 B.C. Driver’s Licence.
- Cross Connection Control Certification. (40 hours)
- Canadian Certified Playground Inspector Certification. (32 hours)
- Certified Irrigation Technician – Levels 1 and 2 (Landscape). (24 hours)
Experience
- 3 years of related experience.
- or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Park Facility Operation and Maintenance Manager
Facility operation managers:
- plan, organize and direct the operations of commercial, transportation and recreational facilities and the included real estate
- work for a wide range of establishments, such as airports, harbours, canals, shopping centres, convention centres, warehouses and recreational facilities
Maintenance managers:
- plan, organize and direct the maintenance department within commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational and other facilities
- work for a wide range of establishments, such as office buildings, shopping centres, airports, harbours, warehouses, grain terminals, universities, schools and sports facilities, and by the maintenance and mechanical engineering departments of manufacturing and other industrial establishments
Common job titles
- co-ordinator, maintenance
- harbour master
- head, building maintenance
- manager, grain terminal elevator
- manager, property
- operator, marina
- planner, maintenance
- superintendent
Source: WorkBC
Salary Range
Annual provincial median salary: $72,800
Source: 2018 Job Bank Wage data
Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2018 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Provincial hourly rate
- High: $51.66/hr
- Median: $35.00/hr
- Low: $19.00/hr
Source: 2018 Job Bank Wage Report
Stories
Superintendent of mechanical operations of swimming Power Engineer / facility maintenance operations
Q: Tell me a little about yourself and how you came to this profession
A: I started working in parks as a summer job in high school. I then went on to electrical engineering in school and I worked for parks, ice rinks, cleaning ice and general janitorial work. I was always interested in the mechanical aspect of this job. I then
Q: What does a day in your life on the job look like?
A: So we have an electronic computerized corrective maintenance systems that notify us of any fountain or swimming pool leaks. Once we get that notification, I send people over there to fix it. We also have fixed routines for maintaining equipment, so I have guys running on a schedule to do that. When there are new buildings, I get the building plans and give my comments during the design phase. I also do the hiring.
Q: What is something you love about your job?
A: I love working with mechanical equipment -I’ve always been interested in it growing up. Also, seeing fresh new buildings and how it is designed, and how we added value to the drawings.
Q: What are the reasons people would work in this field?
A: This field is challenging, tasks change day by day, there is a lot of moving around and seeing different things around the city and you get to meet with contractors.
Q: What would you the most difficult thing about your job is?
A: This job is demanding and you’re up on your feet. You need to learn how to prioritize.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in entering this role?
A: Having a trades background and qualifications before entering the field is important. You may also need some prior project management skills. But, once you’re in the field, there’s room for more learning and growth.
My wife and I are Park Facility Operators in the Thompson Okanagan Region, contracted through BC Parks. We’ve done this for the past 4 years. Here is our story…
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: I love being outside. I don’t sit at a desk. I love all the people I get to meet. A great variety of people. I love the freedom to dictate your own day. There are lots of tasks that need to be done but you can determine in what order you want to do them. There are freedoms to create your own schedule. I love that I get to spend time with my family while I’m working. (Like many couples doing this, we split the workload between us.)
Q: How did you come to decide to pursue a career in this occupation?
A: My wife and I have both always wanted to do it. We saw the job in the newspaper and applied for it. It was meant to be.
Q: What are good traits or skills that someone should have when considering this career?
A: I think you have to be pretty good with communication and people skills. The majority of the time it’s talking to people. Making sure everyone’s enjoying themselves and if not help smooth that over and fix problems for people. You have to be good at different things. A bit of a handyman. Make sure you are flexible and you take the initiative to do things. You look at what needs to be done and do things.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering a career in the Parks Sector?
A: You have to be very flexible. You have to be able to deal with lots of different situations that arise and you have to not let people wind you up or take things too personally. A lot of times you have to tell people what they can’t be doing as well as what they can. You have to have a bit of a thick skin sometimes.
Q: Do you have any hiring practices tips to share?
A: My wife and I don’t hire for positions. If someone wanted to get hired with a contracting agency be friendly and personable in an interview. Dress tidy and casual and not too formal. Think about the relative skills you have and different experiences to back them up – For example, conflict resolution and interactions with people to demonstrate people skills.
Required Skills, Training and Education
Facility operation managers:
- require completion of a college or university program in business administration or in a discipline related to facility operation and maintenance or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience in administration or maintenance
Maintenance managers:
- require completion of a college or university program in electrical or mechanical engineering or in another discipline related to building maintenance or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience in building maintenance
- several years of supervisory experience in facility operations or maintenance are usually required.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Business Administration/Management/Commerce
- Operations Management/Supervision
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
Source: WorkBC
Parks Laborer
This position’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Perform a variety of tasks in the construction, maintenance and repair of municipal park facilities and parks infrastructure;
- Perform the installation, maintenance and repair of playground equipment, playfields, park structures and irrigation systems.
- Operate the necessary municipal vehicles, tools and heavy equipment; have the ability to keep records as required to complete the assigned tasks;
- Perform tree removals, hazard deadwood pruning and tree maintenance in accordance with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
- Perform and maintain landscape features, turf along municipal foot paths, boulevards, and municipal rights-of-ways and within parks and apply the principles of current Turf Management Programs.
- Perform a variety of tasks such as servicing washrooms and litter collection.
- Assist other municipal departments as required;
- Perform other related duties as required
Common Job Title
- Parks Worker
Salary Range
$28.05-$30.34 per hour (2016 rate)
Required Skills, Training and Education
Education
- Completion of Grade 12; (or equivalent qualifications and experience)
- Specialized training in Parks related courses acceptable to the employer & equipment operation
Experience and Skills
- Three years relevant experience;
- A valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License with air endorsement;
- Knowledge and ability to comply with and follow all pertinent Work Safe BC and Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
- A valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License with air endorsement is required; however, a class 3 licence is desirable.
Parks Patrollers
Have a passion for nature and the outdoors? Enjoy connecting with the community? Experience variety and excitement in this healthy work environment. Learn new skills and earn competitive wages operating and maintaining a Regional Park.
Salary Range
Wage range: $26.25/hr (2016 rate)
Required Skills, Training and Education
- Minimum Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.
- Ability to deal with the public in a courteous and effective manner.
- Demonstrated good judgment in interpreting park regulations.
- Proficient English language skills, both verbal and written.
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate difficult terrain and walk long distances.
- Available to work flexible days and hours, including weekends, evenings and holidays.
Parks Technician
Parks Technicians carry out a variety of operational tasks to support the Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Natural Areas, Community Development, Construction and Maintenance Sections. Assists in a variety of parks operations planning projects by performing field work, research, and writing reports.
Stories
I’m Yari Nielsen. I’ve worked as a Parks Technician for the City of Langford for the past three years. Here is my story…
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: There’s a lot of freedom. I work in the area of maintenance and operations contractor and supervision. I oversee contractors and I’m in the field 4-6 hours a day checking on the contractors and the works that is done on trees and in the parks. I love to be out of the office and liaising with stakeholders and contractors. I am a registered forest technician so I oversee the tree work that is done in the city for the engineering and parks departments.
Q: How did you come to decide to pursue a career in this occupation?
A: I came from a forestry background. I was looking to get out of forestry and a parks position came available. We are a small department where there are a parks manager, park planner, parks technician and parks assistant. We rely on our contractors to get a lot of work done.
Q: What are good traits or skills that someone should have when considering this career?
A: A diploma or degree in a natural resource field and additional courses in tree work (arborist or danger tree assessing). Riparian area regulations (RAR), which are provincial regulations for working within protected areas of creeks, streams and lakes. It is a 2-3 day course. Anything to do with turf and grass training and irrigation system training. Be able to deal well with the public and have good working relationships, patience and good manners.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering a career in the Parks Sector?
A: Additional training and courses through colleges. Port Townsend has a 3-year program Pacific Northwest resource management school. It’s a municipal parks specific training. You may already need to be a park employee. Have your employer sponsor you to attend. It is held in February. Have a background or experience in the natural resource field and turf management and work in areas such as public works (labourer), horticulture, parks planning or landscape architecture.
Q: Do you have any hiring practices tips to share?
A: Take the necessary training and courses, especially for upper level positions: You need to know about grass, trees, shrubs and flowers.
Required Skills, Training and Education
- A diploma or degree in a natural resource field
- Additional courses in tree work (arborist or danger tree assessing).
- Riparian area regulations (RAR), which are provincial regulations for working within protected areas of creeks, streams and lakes. It is a 2-3 day course.
- Anything to do with turf and grass training and irrigation system training.
- Be able to deal well with the public and have good working relationships, patience and good manners.