Looking for a seasonal job opportunity to work outdoors and help keep our parks clean, maintained, and safe? Apply today to join ourParks & Recreationteam!Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and this posting may be closed at any time. The length of the season worked may vary depending on the date of hire. JOB SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for performing the daily work activities of the Facilities program area. Often works independently in the evenings or on weekends. At other times acts as lead to seasonal staff. Work activities include facilitating reservations and events; public relations; lockup/security; facility sanitation and custodial duties; facility inspections and reports; trash/litter collection and recycling; basic repair and maintenance of structures, systems, equipment, furniture, fountains, fixtures; park regulation informing/enforcement (with assistance from police); and grounds maintenance activities at community and neighborhood parks, natural areas, and City property.
SALARY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION:This position will start at Step 1 ($23.68/hour). Employees receive step increases in accordance with theGuild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $23.68 - $30.89. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
The Parks & Recreation Department currently has the following 8/9-month seasonal position vacancy for the 2026season:- 8/9-month seasonal Facilities: 1 position (01/01/2026 - 09/30/2026)
- 8/9-month seasonal Facilities: 1 position (04/01/2026 - 12/31/2026)
At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.
- 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
- 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
- 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
- Life insurance
- Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
- Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match
Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:- Patrols the park system (often in the evening at high use times) maintaining sanitation, facilitating reservations and events, and responding to inquiries and problems. These problems may include public assistance, system malfunctions (electrical, irrigation, plumbing, downed trees, etc.), safety concerns, medical emergencies and law enforcement issues (contacting 911, reporting and documenting) . This involves high public contact and problem solving.
- Prepares and maintains park facilities for reservations and events.
- Inspects, cleans and maintains park fixtures and furniture such as picnic tables, benches, fountains, grills, playground equipment, signs, etc., and surfaces such as tennis courts, sidewalks, roads, trails, parking areas, roofs, floors, etc.
- Cleans and maintains facilities and restrooms, empties trash containers, picks up litter.
- Performs basic repair to structures, furniture/fixtures, and systems involving carpentry, painting, and other building trade skills. This is often in response to vandalism.
- Performs grounds maintenance work activities such as pruning, weeding, trimming, mulching, irrigation, etc.
- Performs lockup/security of park facilities.
- Performs as lead position to assigned seasonal staff.
- Operates a variety of hand tools and power equipment. Examples include: blowers, pressure washer, drills, generator, chain saws, etc.
- Operates automotive equipment such as pickup trucks, small dump trucks, lift truck, and other equipment as assigned.
ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
1. Performs other related duties within the scope of the classification as assigned.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions. The work involves moderate risk work environment which requires employees to follow established safety procedures in operating equipment and vehicles, handling irritant materials, working in unsanitary conditions, performing repetitive activities, etc. There is much public contact that can potentially involve dealing with confrontational situations. Employees may be required to wear protective clothing such as coveralls, rain gear, safety boots, gloves, etc.Physical abilities to perform assigned work including:- Stooping, bending, climbing and working from ladders
- Adequate hearing, correctable vision, manual dexterity to operate a variety of power equipment and hand tools safely in a noisy work environment.
- Ability to regularly lift moderately heavy or bulky objects up to 50 lbs., including trash containers, small equipment and sanitation supplies. Heavier items such as picnic tables are moved with assistance or leverage.
- Successful paid work experience working in an independent, responsible position.
- Successful paid work experience in a lead position preferred.
- A combination of experience and training that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills to perform the job.
- Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire
- Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check and local background check (See Fair Hiring Practices below).
- Valid Washington State driver's license at the time of hire. Must submit a three- year abstract of driving record prior to hire.
- Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule involving working evenings, weekends and holidays, as assigned.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.
This is a continuous recruitment.Complete applications will be sent to the department for further review. The Parks & Recreation department will contact the top candidates to schedule interviews.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.
Equal Opportunity:
The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate or make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices- The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
- The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
- The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
- The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.
