The Maintenance Specialist II for Grounds and Rights of Ways' position will perform skilled and semi-skilled labor in the various aspects of parks/trail/property/right of way maintenance including mowing, edging, aerating, chemical application, and right of way maintenance. Additional responsibilities related to town properties to include routine landscape maintenance, mulching, and tree and shrub installations. This position will assist with leaf and snow removal operations and will be required to operate heavy equipment during Spring and Fall Cleanup collection services.

The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Operates specialty equipment including zero turn mowers, walk-behind mowers, edgers, aerators, cutter bars, and skid steers with different attachments
• Performs various landscape and right of way maintenance tasks in high traffic and public areas
• Sets up proper work zones and signage while working along roadways
• Operates backhoes and heavy equipment loaders
• Uses chainsaws, pole saws, and hedge shears to clear right of ways 
• Clears downtown properties, parking lots, steps, and walks during snow 
• Operates dump truck, snow plow, ATV, and snow blower equipment to aid in snow removal
• Operates knuckle boom for collection services with proper training

• General knowledge of the methods, tools, and equipment used for right of way and landscape maintenance
• The ability to safely work in and around the roadway
• Skilled in the operation of backhoes, grapple loaders
• Ability to operate a dump truck with snow plow during snow removal operations

Education and Experience

• A high school diploma or GED is required, as well as a minimum of four year’s related experience

Special Requirements

• A valid Virginia Commercial Driver’s License – Class B with an acceptable driving record is required
• A VDACs Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Registered Technician Certification within 6 months of hire

Qualified applicants must possess each of the following: 

• The ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. regularly
• The ability to work in a crouched position for extended periods of time
• The ability to work outside in varying weather conditions
• The ability to effectively communicate with the public and other employees
• This work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 100 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force
• Work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions, frequently requires stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing and tasting or smelling
• Work has standard vision requirements
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
• Work requires visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
• Work regularly requires exposure to wet humid conditions (non-weather) and exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires working near moving mechanical parts and exposure to vibration and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic)