Temporary Maintenance Worker Aide I/II

Under direct supervision by Parks and Recreation Department supervisory staff, and on a temporary or seasonal basis,Temporary Maintenance Worker Aide I/IIperforms a variety of unskilled, skilled, and semi-skilled tasks in the development and maintenance of either City parks or recreational facilities.

Temporary positions are non-benefited. Temporary positions are of limited duration, and are not linked to regular positions of the same name. Temporary positions are limited to a total of 999 hours in a fiscal year.

Positions may be available in the following areas. To learn about the City's Parks, Beach, and Open Spaces where the Temporary Maintenance Worker Aides may be assigned, go to :
https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/City-Departments/Parks-Recreation/Parks-Beaches-Open-Spaces

Parks
Positions available in Community Parks, Neighborhood Parks, Medians, Open Spaces, and Urban Forestry. We are looking for people who are self-starters and responsible. Applicants may be required to work weekends depending on assignment and be able to work independently or as part of a team. You will be asked to perform duties such as cleaning restrooms and emptying trash, mowing, edging, raking, blowing, digging, and litter abatement. Staff assigned to Open Spaces will perform a variety of natural areas stewardship work. Individuals may be asked to work around traffic (medians) so they must be aware of surroundings at all times. Individuals with experience in landscape equipment preferred, but experience is not necessary as training is available.

Wharf and Beaches
Working as a Maintenance Worker Aide with the Wharf & Beaches Maintenance & Operations (M&O) team you will be assisting a broadly skilled staff in a wide range of maintenance and custodial duties that are focused on keeping Cowell and Main Beach, and the Wharf and beachfront facilities and public areas safe and clean. Wharf & Beaches M&O Maintenance Worker Aides work flexible shift hours in an excellent team environment in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. As a Maintenance Worker Aide here you may be asked to operate an all-wheel-drive vehicle on the beach, a street sweeper on the Wharf, or to work out of a boat on the water, all in a day’s work at Wharf & Beaches M&O.

Golf Course (not currently recruiting)
This position works in support of the Parks Maintenance Workers at the golf course. Performs various maintenance duties including the use of weed trimmers, lawn mowers, backpack blowers; restroom and facility servicing; sand trap maintenance; manual irrigation; fertilizing, edging, and landscape maintenance. Applicants must be prepared to work in all conditions including heat, darkness, cold and wet weather, and be comfortable working with and around pesticides. This position may require weekend work.

Sports (not currently recruiting)
Under general supervision, provides maintenance work on fields and facilities in preparation for recreation sports league games and activities. Shift hours are typically 3pm – 6:30pm and you may be assigned to the ballfields at Harvey West Park or DeLaveaga Park. Individuals will be asked to operate a tractor and must know how to use basic hand tools. This position may require weekend work. Working knowledge of softball/baseball is preferred.

This temporary position is represented by the SEIU bargaining unit. Temporary positions are limited to a total of 999 hours per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).
Recruitment #26-056

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications accepted no later than5:00pm on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Early applications encouraged!
APPLICATION FORM: Click here for fillableJob Application. Please enter the assignment(s) you are interested in applying to in the "Exact Title of Position For Which You Are Applying" line (e.g. Parks and/or Wharf and Beaches).
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO: This application can be emailed to ParksandRecTempJobs@santacruzca.gov orprinted and submitted to the Parks & Recreation Office.If you prefera paper application, copies are available at the Parks & Recreation Office at 323 Church Street, Santa Cruz CA 95060.
INTERVIEWS: Will be held throughout the job posting duration, on a first-come first-served basis.
Interviews for the Parks assignment will be held at 300 Evergreen St, Santa Cruz, CA [Harvey West Park].
Interviews for the Wharf and Beaches assignment will be held at 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA [Wharf Headquarters].
ORIENTATION:Candidates offered the position will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which will include a DOJ fingerprint check.


DESCRIPTION
Under direct supervision by Parks and Recreation Department supervisory staff, and on a temporary or seasonal basis, performs a variety of unskilled, skilled, and semi-skilled tasks in the development and maintenance of either City parks or recreational facilities.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Maintenance Worker Aide I is the entry and training level in the alternately staffed Maintenance Worker Aide classification. Under supervision and in a training capacity, incumbents are assigned routine, unskilled maintenance tasks while learning the functions, tasks and tools and equipment associated with the assignment.

The Maintenance Worker Aide II demonstrates proficiency as a Maintenance Worker Aide I. Employees in the II level are assigned tasks which require the application of a more advanced skill and which require the regular use of specialized equipment. The duties are performed without direct or continuing supervision. The Parks Maintenance Worker aide II may be the sole employee on-site at a facility.
(Depending on department assignment may include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Prepares soil for planting and plants various trees, shrubs and flowers.
• Weeds flower beds, ball fields and other applicable groundsareas.
• Mows, rakes and edges lawns and turfs.
• Waters plants by hand and with irrigation systems.
• Cleans and stocks restrooms; vacuum, sweep or mop rooms and hallways; may wash windows.
• Uses general grounds keeping carpentry and mechanical tools such as picks, shovels, hoes, rakes, shears, edgers, loppers, saws, drills, wrenches, screwdrivers and hammers.
• Assists with the installation, maintenance and repair of picnic tables, trash cans, barbecues, drinking fountains, playground equipment, irrigation systems, buildings and maintenance equipment.
• Inspects parks, playgrounds and recreational areas for hazards and unsafe conditions and removes or repairs them.
• Operates landscape construction, turf maintenance, and weed removal equipment such as chain saws, concrete saws, pavement breakers, sprayers, cement mixers, aerators, compactors, rollers, small multi-purpose tractors, brush chippers, weed eaters, blowers, small and large riding mowers, rototillers and seeders.
• Places traffic control flags, signs and cones to direct traffic around work sites or other obstructions.
• May operate or work out of a power boat or marine vessel.
• Empties trash; picks up and removes trash and debris using hand operated "grab stick"; Replaces trash can liners.
• Performs light graffiti cleanup.
• Operates earth grooming equipment and street sweeper.
• Answers phones, takes messages and disseminates routine information about site activities.
• Moves furniture and equipment as needed.
• Locks and unlocks rooms for patrons.
• Assists patrons with reserved equipment or refers equipment needs of patrons to lead staff.
• Waters, rakes and drags tools/equipment in maintaining level infield ball playing surfaces for sports league games.
• Mixes, adds and packs fines in high impact zones of ball infield areas.
• Chalks and sprays ball infield lines for sports games.
• Uses water pump to remove standing water from ball infields after heavy rains.
• Applies drying material to wet ball infields when needed.
• Monitors use of the Recreation facilities and reports problems or issues to lead staff.
• Communicates with other staff members about building activities and issues.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires sitting, standing, balancing or walking on uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, climbing, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping, reaching overhead and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when inspecting work and operating assigned equipment, plus the ability to speak and to hear. The ability to lift, carry, push and pull tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 80 pounds is required. The incumbent in this position works outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot, cold and may work after dusk. The work frequently involves work with hands in water. The incumbent may use chemicals such as grease and oils, solvents and/or pesticides which may expose the employee to fumes, dust, and air or skin contaminants. The nature of the work requires that the incumbent to use power and noise producing tools and equipment commonly subjecting the incumbent to vibration. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Maintenance Worker Aide I

• Some paid or unpaid manual labor experience.

Maintenance Worker Aide II

• One year of parks or landscape experience or equivalent for a Parks assignment

OR

• One year building maintenance experience or equivalent for a Recreation assignment

Maintenance Worker Aide I

Skills:

• Basic understanding of use of hand tools and equipment.
  

Abilities:

• Learn the operation of tools, supplies, and equipment in the performance of a variety of semi-skilled tasks.
• Safely handle toxic materials
• Follow oral and written instructions given in English
• Work effectively as a member of a crew
• Communicate effectively in English; complete simple records in English
• Act in a courteous and diplomatic manner with members of the public
• Maintain a safe work environment
• Willing to work irregular schedules, days, nights and weekend hours

Maintenance Worker Aide II

Knowledge:

• Basic groundskeeping, building maintenance and related tools and equipment.
• Basic horticulture, arboricultural, irrigation system and construction knowledge.

Abilities:

• Occasionally work independently without direct supervision.
• Operation of tools, light and heavy equipment in the performance of the position’s typical duties.
• Assist with installation of irrigation systems.
• Troubleshoot malfunctioning irrigation systems and complete repairs.
• Assists with repairing plumbing fixtures in public restrooms.
• Follow oral and written instructions given in English.
• Work effectively as a member of a crew and complete simple records in English.
• Act in a courteous and diplomatic manner with members of the public.
• Maintain a safe work environment.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license. (Required for Parks and Wharf positions).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Work outdoors under any weather conditions and perform call back duty as required.
• Work irregular shifts, holidays and weekends.
• Wear a uniform.

N/A