The Seasonal Grounds Maintenance Worker is an entry-level position. 

The Elkins Parks and Recreaction Commission (EPRC) provides year-round recreation opportunities with programs and facilities on over 70 acres in the city’s five parks: Bluegrass Park, Davis Street Park, Elkins City Park, Glendale Park and River Bend Park. The EPRC also operates the Phil Gainer Community Center. 

We are looking for someone who enjoys working outdoors, is dependable, and has a strong work ethic.  We need someone good with their hands and has a strong work ethic. The ideal candidate will be ok not working a continuous scheduled shift, there may be some evenings and weekends.  The rate for this position is $13.00 per hour. 

Position Status: Seasonal/non-exempt 

Job Summary: Under moderate supervision, performs general maintenance for the city’s park system. Work includes landscaping or maintaining the grounds and property using hand or power tools or equipment. Grounds maintenance worker is responsible for responding to and completing maintenance service requests as instructed by the Director of Parks. Maintenance Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: mowing, trimming, pruning, planting, digging, raking, painting, light construction, and other general preventative maintenance and customer service as needed.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Reports to: Parks and Recreation Director

Tasks: 

• Ensure all seasonal grounds duties are completed in a timely and efficient manner and with the highest quality standards; regularly inspect all facilities to ensure proper standards are maintained.
• Gather and remove litter, sticks, and leaves. Empty trash cans. Use blower to sweep pavilions and walkways.
• Repair ruts in the ground caused by vehicles.
• Use hand tools such as shovels, rakes, brooms, pole saws, loppers, hedge clippers, or axes.
• Operate vehicles or powered equipment such as pickup trucks, trailers, mowers, tractors, string trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, roto-tillers, or pole chain saws.
• Prune or trim trees, shrubs, hedges, brush, and vines.
• Mix and spray herbicide onto unwanted vegetation, using hand sprayers.
• Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to sow grass or plant flowers and trees.
• Spread mulch in flower beds and around trees.
• Light construction maintenance on park equipment (playgrounds, picnic tables, benches, trash cans).
• Clean up and weed flower beds.
• Paint picnic tables, trash cans, pavilions, restrooms, playgrounds, and other park equipment as needed.
• Clean and stock supplies for public restrooms.
• Lock and unlock public restrooms.
• Manage multiple priorities and organize daily activities to complete required work within agreed deadlines and commitments.

Minimum Training and Experience:  One to two years of experience in groundskeeping desired, but not required

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate machinery and park maintenance equipment. Position involves walking, reaching, bending, and lifting and requires physical endurance.  Lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of items of moderately heavy weight (up to 50 pounds) and occasionally very heavy weight (up to 100 pounds).

The employee regularly works primarily in outdoor areas. The physical activity level is described as physically active performing some strenuous daily activities.

Elkins, West Virginia is a dynamic and growing community of 7,000 people, serving as a tourism hub of the mid-Atlantic and a gateway to a vast outdoor recreation area that includes national forests, state parks, wilderness areas, ski resorts, hiking and biking trails, scenic train excursions and much more.

The City of Elkins is an equal opportunity employer including disability and protected veteran status.  All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.

Note: Applicants may request a copy of the full job description when applying online. 

Do you value teamwork, dependability, and the satisfaction of knowing your work helps families and neighbors enjoy safe, beautiful parks?

The City of Elkins is seeking a reliable and community-minded Parks Service Assistant to join our Parks and Recreation Department. This part-time, seasonal position (15 hours per week) offers the opportunity to play an essential role in maintaining our parks, so they remain inviting spaces for recreation, connection, and community pride.

We are looking for someone who brings a positive, hands-on attitude to their work and who understands that even small daily tasks make a big difference in the lives of our residents and visitors. The ideal candidate is dependable, hardworking, and committed to keeping Elkins’ parks safe, clean, and welcoming.

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the Parks and Recreation Director, the Parks Service Assistant performs routine custodial and maintenance tasks to support the daily operations of the City’s parks. This is a hands-on role that includes cleaning and caring for facilities, keeping public spaces tidy, and ensuring parks are ready for use by the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Open and close park restrooms to welcome visitors each day
• Keep restrooms sparkling clean and well-stocked 
• Use a blower to freshen up pavilions so they’re ready for gatherings
• Pick up litter to ensure the parks remain clean and enjoyable
• Empty trash receptacles and replace bags so spaces stay tidy
• Keep an eye out for anything out of place or potential safety concerns and report them promptly
• Turn Park lights and power on and off at the start and end of the day
• Assist with other related tasks to keep parks safe, clean, and enjoyable

Qualifications

• Prior custodial, maintenance, or groundskeeping experience preferred but not required
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform physical work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Dependable, self-motivated, and able to follow directions
• Valid West Virginia driver’s license preferred

Work Environment

• Primarily outdoors in all weather conditions
• Active, physical role with regular movement and manual labor
• Part-time schedule: 16 hours per week

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly wage
• Part-time, flexible schedule
• Meaningful work that contributes to the health, safety, and enjoyment of the community
• A supportive and team-oriented workplace environment

About Elkins

Elkins, West Virginia is a vibrant mountain community of approximately 7,000 residents. Nestled in the Allegheny Highlands, Elkins serves as a hub for outdoor recreation, arts, culture, and tourism. Our parks are at the heart of community life, offering green spaces where families gather, children play, and neighbors connect.

The City of Elkins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The Elkins Wastewater Apprenticeship program is open to eligible candidates with a minimum age of 16 and older (apprentices must be 18 upon completion of the program). The program will incorporate a 26-month on-site paid work program for apprenticeships to receive 2028HRS of experience to receive the WV Class I Wastewater Certification. During the 26-month program hours are set at approximately 18HRS/Week. 

Such activities that apprentices will be involved in are as follows but not limited to: wastewater treatment practices and activities and workings; field work related to line installation (plumbing) and lift station maintenance; combined sewer data retrieval and application; wastewater laboratory practices and applications; global identification system (GIS) application and data retrieval; engineering specification assessments and contracting project reviews; function of municipal government actions; land application of biosolids from wastewater activities; regulatory reviews and inspections; and general maintenance activities

Key Aspects of the Wastewater Apprenticeship Program:

• On-the-Job Training: Apprentices learn by doing, working alongside experienced operators to perform routine tasks and handle increasingly complex duties.
• Supervised Work: All activities are performed under the guidance of experienced personnel, ensuring proper techniques and safety protocols are followed.
• Formal Instruction: the program includes formal coursework to teach foundational skills and prepare apprentices for entry-level certifications.
• Skill Development: Apprentices gain proficiency in operating and maintaining plant equipment, monitoring process variables, and understanding the chemistry and biology of wastewater treatment.

Typical Apprenticeship Tasks and Responsibilities

• Equipment Operation: Operating valves, pumps, and other machinery to process and clarify wastewater.
• Sample Collection & Testing: Collecting water and sewage samples for testing, including basic physical, chemical, and microbiological tests.
• Chemical Treatment: Adding and monitoring chemicals for disinfection, deodorization, and treatment as directed.
• Monitoring & Data Recording: Reading gauges, recording meter readings, and logging operational data.
• Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance and repairs on plant equipment and facilities.
• Safety Protocols: Learning and applying industrial safety practices and how to use personal protective equipment.

Career Path and Benefits

• Career Advancement: Apprenticeships provide a pathway to becoming a fully qualified operator with opportunities for advancement in the wastewater/environmental science industry.
• Certifications and Licenses: Successful completion of the program leads to state certifications and licenses, which are essential for career progression.
• Skill Specialization: Programs may offer elective courses to align with an apprentice's specific learning needs or the requirements of their utility.
• Stable Career: A career as a wastewater operator offers job security, as it's a vital service essential to public health and the environment.

The total cost of the Elkins Wastewater Apprenticeship program is $60,000. $60,000 (100%) is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor –Employment and Training Administration grant.

Water Technician I, II, or III

Elkins Water Division – City of Elkins, West Virginia

Location: 192 High Street Extension, Elkins, WV 26241

Status: Full-Time | Non-Exempt Hourly

Hours: Generally scheduled 40 hours per week; subject to approved overtime and emergency call-out

Reports To: Water Technician Crew Leader

Build a Career Protecting One of Elkins’ Most Essential Public Services

The Elkins Water Division is accepting applications for the position of Water Technician I, II, or III within the municipal water system. This position performs a wide range of duties related to the operation, maintenance, repair, installation, and regulatory compliance of the public water treatment and distribution system.

Water Technicians work as part of a unified operations team responsible for maintaining safe drinking water, reliable service to customers, and compliance with all applicable state and federal environmental regulations. Placement at Level I, II, or III will be based on the applicant’s qualifications, certifications, and relevant experience. The Elkins Water Division emphasizes hands-on training, certification advancement, and long-term career growth within an essential public utility service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Install, inspect, maintain, and repair water mains, service lines, valves, hydrants, meters, and related infrastructure.
• Perform trenching, excavation, pipe laying, pipe fitting, joint sealing, and restoration of work areas.
• Assist in the daily operation of water treatment and distribution equipment, including pumps, filters, tanks, and chemical feed systems.
• Collect water samples, conduct routine water quality testing, record results, and assist with chemical treatment processes.
• Monitor system pressures, identify leaks, and assist with emergency repairs and service interruptions.
• Read water meters, perform service turn-ons/turn-offs, and respond to customer service requests.
• Locate underground water lines and assist with utility marking and infrastructure replacement projects.
• Operate heavy equipment and work vehicles including backhoes, dump trucks, utility trucks, compressors, tampers, and other related machinery.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on tools, equipment, and facilities.
• Maintain accurate operational logs, work orders, meter records, and testing documentation.
• Provide traffic control and maintain safe work zones during field operations.
• Assist with departmental projects and perform other related duties as assigned.
• Comply with all safety policies, WVDEP requirements, and public health regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Related experience in water utility operations, construction, maintenance, mechanical repair, or underground utilities preferred.
• Valid West Virginia driver’s license required.
• Must possess or be able to obtain required state certifications applicable to assigned level, including:
  • WV Drinking Water Operator Certification
  • Confined Space Entry Certification
  • Water Meter Testing Certification
  • Additional water system certifications as required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to safely operate heavy equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
• Working knowledge of water treatment or water distribution systems preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to read gauges, meters, maps, and work orders accurately.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively in a team environment.
• Effective communication and customer service skills.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

This position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, lifting, climbing, and performing manual labor in outdoor environments and varying weather conditions. Employee must regularly lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Work may involve exposure to moving equipment, dust, fumes, wet conditions, vibration, confined spaces, and emergency response situations.

Advancement Opportunity

This position offers advancement through Water Technician I, II, and III levels based on training, certifications, demonstrated skills, and departmental needs.

Additional Information

A complete job description, including a detailed list of duties, physical demands, and qualifications, is available upon request during the application process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Elkins is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status, and fills positions on the basis of an individual’s qualifications and ability to perform the essential functions of the job.