Job Details

City of Portland - Seasonal Parks, Athletic Facilities and Cemeteries Groundskeepers

Position Number: 6947615
Location: Portland, ME
Position Type: Facilities Management

City of Portland - Seasonal Parks, Athletic Facilities and Cemeteries Groundskeepers

Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department - Parks, Division

May through November full-time schedule (up to 40 hours/week) - flexible schedules and reduced hours can be considered) and could include mornings, afternoons, weekends, and nights starting in early spring

About the City of Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department:

The Portland Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department is comprised of 160 full-time and over 250 per diem staff dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Portland, Maine. They achieve this by operating cultural venues, running community programs (including Before and After School, Swim Lessons, and Senior Adult programs), and maintaining public buildings, waterfront infrastructure, 70 parks, 40+ miles of trails, 13 cemeteries, and 30 playgrounds. Their diverse team, including Park Maintainers, Lifeguards, Event Managers, Horticulturalists, and many others, works collaboratively to provide spaces and opportunities for social connection, recreation, and community development.

Job Summary:

Become a caretaker for our city's green spaces! We are hiring Seasonal Groundskeeper positions within our different divisions - Parks, Athletic Facilities, Playgrounds, and Cemeteries. As a grounds crew member you will be responsible for maintaining, beautifying, and repairing municipal park facilities, landscapes, and athletic fields. Key duties include mowing turf, pruning trees/shrubs, cleaning, removing debris, and operating maintenance machinery. You will spend your days outdoors in various weather conditions as the driving force behind our safe, clean, and functional community spaces.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Mowing and trimming of city owned fields, parks, playgrounds and cemeteries.
General grounds/landscape and horticulture maintenance.
Opening/closing athletic facilities, turning on/off light systems.
Setting up fields for events and trash removal with Parks/Athletic Facilities.
Trash collection from public parks, playgrounds and cemeteries.
General grounds/landscape and horticultural maintenance.

Required Skills & Experience:

Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors and the public.
Ability to work with others, as well as independently.
Previous grounds/landscape maintenance preferred
Prior experience with lawn or turf or lawn care practices and/or athletic fields
Prior experience using basic lawn power equipment (i.e. lawnmower, weed-whacker, etc.).
Prior experience working on athletic fields, parks, playgrounds, or cemeteries is preferred.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, which could include nights, weekends and holidays.
Prior experience with safely mowing in very tight quarters with zero turn mower is preferred.
Valid driver's license.

Expected Hours/Schedule:

All positions are Monday through Friday. Daily Schedules -

Parks and Athletic Facilities 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Opportunities for some evening or weekend coverage if needed for community sports.
Cemeteries and Playgrounds 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Applications accepted until May 29, 2026.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Salary:

Groundskeeper maintenance positions start at $19.00/hour.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please email Human Resources at jobs@portlandmaine.gov or call 207-874-8624.

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email hrinfo@portlandmaine.gov.

To apply, visit https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=280&sreq=8&form=1000&desc=SEASONAL%20PARKS,%20ATHLETIC%20FACILITIES,%20&%20CEMETERIES%20GROUNDSKEEPER