Parks Superintendent (Internal & External)

The Town of Taos is seeking qualified applicants for the following full-time position which includes an excellent benefit package; 100% major medical premium paid for employee with a choice of State of New Mexico Blue Cross Blue Shield, HMO & PPO, Presbyterian, State of New Mexico Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) Retirement, personal leave and holiday pay, employee development and training programs and much more!

VA#25-26-38

Job Title: Parks Superintendent

Parks & Recreation Department

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary: $46,558.72 / $1790.72 BW

Opening Date: April 24, 2026

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of general administrative and supervisory duties related to planning, coordinating and directing all phases of park turf management and beautification, buildings and facilities maintenance construction and repair.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under general direction of the Parks and Recreation Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Provides close to general supervision to Parks Maintenance Foreman, Parks Maintenance Specialist(s).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Manages the day-to-day operations of the town parks division; plans, coordinates, assigns, and reviews the activities of subordinate staff involved in performing a variety of grounds maintenance/repair work required to maintain the Town’s parks, Plaza, and areas surrounding Town offices; coordinates, schedules and prepares sites for special events/major community activities; participates in the annual coordination of litter clean up projects.

Performs a variety of administrative work, including preparing/monitoring the operating budgets, may prepare bid specifications for equipment, services and other capital items; monitors work of facilities maintenance and landscaping contractors; interacts with general public; manages division purchasing processes, maintains inventories and orders departmental supplies and materials; researches alternative funding sources, prepares grant applications and coordinates grant management with town grants administrator.

Determines and recommends parks project priorities; specifies work schedules and deadlines, allocates equipment and vehicles essential to complete projects and determines materials needed to complete specified objectives; allocates personnel and equipment resources as needed to assure timely project completion.

Reviews performance and makes decisions affecting job retention, advancement and discipline; initiates and participates in the recruitment and selection of division staff; develops and conducts staff training; approves payroll; monitors employee activities to ensure compliance with established safety procedures; directs the training of laborers in equipment usage.

Performs general administrative duties of the division; maintains comprehensive work records, maintenance records, accident records, vehicle maintenance records, equipment and labor costs; collects information and data for various reports; prepares reports and statistical analyses to aid and plan an evaluation of park maintenance programs; completes a variety of reports, logs, forms, etc.; reviews operations for compliance with State and Federal regulatory agency requirements.

Coordinates the use and maintenance of various park facilities such as pavilions, shelters, picnic areas, ball fields and other facilities, etc.; coordinates and conducts safety inspection of playground equipment, benches, bleachers, ball fields, and dog parks; directs the setup of special displays for Christmas, fiestas, festivals and other events.

Performs and/or coordinates field supervisory duties to carry out tree and shrub planting program; coordinates and participates in planting of lawns, trees, shrubs and other greenery.

Supervises pruning and trimming projects; assures adherence to watering schedules; monitors health condition of horticulture; evaluates diseases and analyzes and makes decisions for the treatment of unhealthy trees, shrubs and related greenery.

Directs and participates in the installation maintenance and repair program of water sprinkler system for all parks; supervises and directs mowing, watering and aeration of parks turf; carries out supplemental irrigation to sustain or force growth.

Assures operation and maintenance of automated sprinkler systems and water pumps; tours projects to determine work progress and general condition of grounds; operates equipment, i.e., truck, snow plow, backhoe, front-end loader, forklift, gang mowers.

Oversees and participates in seasonal duties such as winterizing sprinkler systems to avoid freezing, snow removal, deicing, flushes watering systems in spring, and repairs other equipment and facilities.

Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: High School, GED & up to 1 year of Job Related Training or Education in park management, recreation, horticulture, landscaping or related field; AND Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the maintenance, upkeep, and beautification of turf, parks, facilities and related environ; OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of parks maintenance program development and implementation practices, methods, procedures, and techniques; general management principles and practices, including budgeting, program development/evaluation, and employee supervision and training; maintenance equipment such as backhoe, loader, dump truck, mowers, tractor, power over seeders, aerators, thatchers, welder, trimmers, etc.; landscape and sprinkler system design; flow pumps; of hazards and related safety precautions associated with equipment operations; of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and pesticides, and proper application of the same; of turf and greens management; interpersonal communication skills; organizing public events, sporting events, and recreation programs.

Skill in the operation of various types of light equipment such as gang mower, front-end loader, tractor, backhoe, 4x4 and 4x2 trucks, boom lifts, forklift, snow plow, mower, etc., basic mechanics, basic electrical and plumbing operations, basic carpentry; PC Computer.

Ability to recognize and identify common weeds and pests; recognize and identify diseases common to turf and greenery; effectively apply chemicals for the abatement and eradication of noxious weeds and insects; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; develop effective working relationships with local officials, representatives of local business/industry, community service organizations and groups, subordinate staff, and the public; manage a parks program, including budgeting, maintaining records, and preparing reports; in understanding and interpreting laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures.

Special Qualifications:

Recommended that they possess New Mexico driver’s license and may be required to obtain CDL licensure in order to operate certain heavy equipment. Certification through the National Arborist Association is desirable. Pesticide certification (Airport)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Incumbent of the position generally performs regularly works in outside weather conditions. Tasks require variety of physical activities, generally involving some muscular strain, such as walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, and lifting (frequently move up to 50 pounds and occasionally move up to 100 pounds). Talking, hearing and seeing essential to the performance of the job. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity exist. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Frequent local travel required in normal course of job performance.

APPLICATION STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS- If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications for the position and you have the necessary drive and ambition to be part of the Parks & Recreation Department for the Town of Taos, please submit a complete Town of Taos employment application to: Town of Taos Human Resources Department, 400 Camino de la Placita, Taos, NM 87571 or via e-mail: employment@taosnm.gov. Your application must be complete, clear, and include the correct job title and announcement number. Applications and any attachments become the official property of the Town of Taos and cannot be returned or reused after being submitted. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 P.M. on the closing date listed above.

Drug Free Workplace

EEO/ADA Compliance