Playground Safety Inspector (NCS) - Baltimore City Recreation and Parks

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This Program Safety Inspector plans & coordinates the activities of BCRP’s Playground Safety Program, which is under BCRP’s Bureau of Parks, Division of Park Maintenance/Turf Management/Playground Safety.

•  Plans and coordinates Department’s Playground Program, including frequent inspections and yearly audits of the conditions of playgrounds and repair work progress.
• Ensures proper industry-standard certification, Best Management Practices, tracking and scheduling renovation and repairs, maintaining photo catalog, tracking inventory, and responding to Service Requests. 
• Directs the proper use and care of power tools and playground equipment, and the maintenance and cleaning of all BCRP owned playgrounds and fitness equipment and related surfacing.
• Supervises maintenance/repairs of playground equipment and surfacing material, both recommends and authorizes playground improvements.
• Plans and recommends long range goals for Baltimore City’s public playgrounds in parks and at recreational centers.
• Reviews playground design and construction for final approval. 
• Serves also Subject Matter Expert for both landscape planting and hardscape design of playground sites and adjacent areas. This includes designs for nature play spaces and providing input for Capital Development.  
• Monitors procurement actions, and also initiates, coordinates and tracks procurement of playground and fitness equipment, tools, supplies and repair items.
• Navigates procurement and contract services requirements through tracking purchases, creating warranty/insurance claims, and writing both contracts and government cost estimates.
• Coordinates with Capital Development and other agencies on playground salvages, site inventories for all playgrounds.
• Creates Program budget that is then recommended to Bureau and Fiscal Chiefs, and to the Department Director. Seeks grant relevant grant opportunities and submits proposals as appropriate. 
• Oversees and trains work of crews such as ROCA, Green Cadets, JCC, BCRP Laborers, and Building Repairs – in addition to providing guidance to Park Maintenance employees to ensure efficacy, accuracy and safety.  
• Represents the Department of Recreation and Parks and Baltimore City, as needed, when communicating with outside organizations and individuals – including speaking before community groups on matters concerning proper playground maintenance and safety. Works with the Department’s Community Engagement personnel and partners with departmental coworkers on programming events related to playgrounds.
• Advocates for better streamlining of playground processes.   
• Provides leadership for community input on creating and maintaining play areas.

NOTE: YOU MUST UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE WITH THE APPLICATION AT THE TIME OF APPLYING. 

•  Knowledge of the basic techniques of program administration or business management.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of program development, implementation and evaluation.  

• Knowledge of standard processes involved in contract management or procurement.

• Knowledge of grant funding requirements.

• Knowledge of customer relations.

• Knowledge of basic Federal grant procedures.

• Ability to plan, organize, implement and administer a program or operation. 

• Ability to utilize common business software. 

• Ability to make budget recommendations and control expenditures.

• Ability to develop and install program procedures.  

• Ability to speak and write effectively

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program recipients, customers, community groups and representatives of public and private agencies

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-month mandatory probation.

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.