Maintenance Specialist- Landscape (Integrated Pest Management)

DESCRIPTION

The full salary range for this position is as follows:$36.50 to $46.60. Expected hiring range is as follows: $36.50 to $40.25.

To perform skilled Integrated Pest Management duties as assigned, in landscape maintenance districts, general benefit areas and streets right of ways.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the advanced journey-level classification allocated to the Department of Public Works, Maintenance Division. Incumbents perform a broad range of complex Integrated Pest Management work and may lead a small group of staff on a project basis. This classification is not part of a flexibly staffed series.

This classification is distinguished from Senior Maintenance Specialist in that the latter classification is at the working supervisory level responsible for organizing, assigning, training, and monitoring work of subordinate staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

The Maintenance Specialist receives general supervision from the assigned Landscape Superintendent and Senior Maintenance Specialist.

This position may exercise technical and/or functional supervision over maintenance staff as appropriate.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identify, prioritize, and develop application schedules.
• Uses appropriate personal protective equipment in the application of herbicides and pesticides as required by the Department of Pesticide Regulation, and other regulatory agencies.

• Develops vegetation and pest control programs and schedules the maintenance management of such programs including estimating cost and staying within budget.
• Selects, mixes, and applies various herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides in drainage basin areas, waterways, turf, fence lines, planter and shrub beds, landscape assessment districts, general benefit landscapes, medians, trails street right of ways and hardscapes.
• Maintains spray equipment in proper working order including preventive maintenance and minor repairs.
• Works closely with the city pest control advisor (PCA).
• Oversee and ensure compliance with label requirements.
• Orders and may issue controlled pesticides.
• Keeps records, prepares, and maintains reports regarding control and use of pesticides using electronic devices and various software programs.
• Monitor performance of contractors installing and maintaining City property; conduct on-site inspections to ensure compliance; meet with contractors to assess progress and resolve disputes; recommend payments for accepted work.
• Prepare and evaluate request for quotes, request for proposals and invitation for bids.

• Track expenditures and inventory utilizing excel spreadsheets.

• Responsible for the safe storage and use of pesticides in conformance with regulations of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and State Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures.
• Provides safety training to pesticide applicators and others associated with herbicide and pesticide applications.
• Provides technical direction in the safe and effective application of restricted and non-restricted pesticides to Public Works staff.
• Drives and operates city vehicles with motorized spray equipment to various job site locations. Vehicle types and size vary.
• Cleans facilities or sites after performing work assignments.
• Cover areas to specified depths with herbicides and pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions.
• Assess work sites for areas of special concern or sensitive sites and recommends mitigation measures as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Practices and techniques related to skilled maintenance of Integrated Pest Management.
• Federal Pesticide Laws and Regulations.
• Principles and Practices of Horticulture, Landscaping and Arboriculture.
• Safe Work Practices.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Pesticide Formulations and Pesticide Mixtures.
• Pesticide Hazards and First Aid.
• Planning and Application Procedures.
• Pesticides in the Environment.
• Transportation, Storage and Security.
• The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

• Electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic tools and accepted safety standards related to the area of assignment.
• Concrete and asphalt installation techniques.
• Basic principles of supervision and training.
• Methods of fabricating signs.
• Concrete and asphalt installation techniques.
• Practices and techniques related to skilled building maintenance and repair including HVAC and lighting and plumbing systems.
• Electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic tools and accepted safety standards related to building maintenance and repair.
• Lighting and plumbing systems.
• Water chemistry as it applies to pools and aquatic facilities.
• Pool/aquatic facility safety standards.
• Methods and materials used in the electrical field, including troubleshooting, and diagnosing for repair projects; sprinkler system installation and maintenance; and components and operational characteristics of computerized irrigation management systems.

Ability to:

• Provide technical and functional supervision over assigned staff; and effectively train staff.
• Perform inspections, operation, maintenance, preventative maintenance and repair of associated tools and equipment.
• Operate a variety of motorized equipment, hand power tools, and mechanized machinery in a safe and effective manner.
• Develop and implement appropriate responses to maintenance and repair issues.
• Follow standard operating procedures.
• Follow and comply with safety procedures for working around biohazards.
• Follow and comply with safety procedures for working around detention basin, retention basin and stormwater facilities.
• Perform work zone temporary traffic control operations
• Work independently and make sound and logical decisions.
• Respond to issues and concerns from the community and internal clients.
• Understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Communicate accurately, clearly, and concisely in written and verbal form.
• Read and interpret essential technical information including plans, maps, and drawings.
• Perform basic mathematical calculations in an accurate and complete manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during work.
• Perform data entry using Lucity Asset Management System

• Perform skilled maintenance and repair work in a variety of specialties, as assigned, including parks, buildings, parkways, assessment districts, streets, and related facilities.
• Understand operations and observe safety rules, and diagnose, analyze, and resolve problems with equipment.
• Identify and locate equipment in an accurate and timely manner.
• Interpret work orders in an accurate and complete manner.
• Operate and use specialized equipment and tools related to the area of assignment.
• Drive and operate vehicle/equipment within assigned area.
• Work independently.
• Work effectively in traffic safety related situations, when necessary.
• Follow verbal and written instructions and directions in an independent manner.
• Make independent decisions and know when to ask for assistance.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on the tools, equipment, and vehicles used in the work; and refer specialized work, as required.
• Plan, schedule, supervise, and review work performed by other staff; provide training to staff, including explaining jobs and assignments to others.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including co-workers, City employees from other divisions or departments, and members of the public.
• Demonstrate principles of good customer service.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to a high school diploma or G.E.D. or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience in the preparation and application of herbicides & pesticides using high-pressure, power-driven spray equipment.

• Five (5) years of experience performing advanced journey-level grounds maintenance.

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

• Possession of a Class C California driver's license by the time of appointment and legally required vehicle insurance and the ability to be insured with the City's insurance carrier required. Failure to maintain these qualifications could lead to termination.
• A current and valid Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) and/or Qualified Applicator License** (QAL) issued by the State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation with categories: A - Residential, Industrial, and Institutional, B - Landscape Maintenance, and C - Right-of-Way.
• Ability to obtain an (QAL) Qualified Applicator License within 6 months of hire may be acceptable for the right candidate
• Incumbents must be available for on-call and stand-by duty and respond to after-hours emergencies.

• A current and valid Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) issued by the State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation with categories: A-Residential, Industrial, and Institutional, B-Landscape Maintenance, and C-Right-of-Way.

• A current and valid Qualified Applicator License issued by the State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation with categories: A-Residential, Industrial, and Institutional, B-Landscape Maintenance, and C-Right-of-Way or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of a keyboard; frequent and intermittent sitting for long periods of time; climbing, bending twisting, and squatting when installing equipment.

Lifting: frequently lifting, carrying and pushing tools, equipment, and supplies weighing 10 to 50 pounds or more.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Working Environment:

Incumbents in this class work within indoor and outdoor environments. When assigned to work outdoors, incumbents are exposed to all weather conditions including wet, hot and cold. Incumbents may be exposed to slippery surfaces. Incumbents may use chemicals, which may involve exposure to fumes. Incumbents are exposed to gas fumes, exhaust, dirt, dust, and other contaminants. Incumbents may be required to wear personal protective equipment during the course of performing work.

The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and heavy equipment, and work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions.

Revised: November 2025

FLSA: Overtime Eligible

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

*Benefits can change at any time.

Closing Date/Time: 2/18/2026 1:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Palmdale

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