Operations presents site manuals, training and recruitment plan as parks expand

Placer County operations staff told the Parks Commission Sept. 18 that growth in new facilities and parks is increasing maintenance workload and that staff are taking steps to standardize knowledge, training and staffing.

Operations staff said they are creating site manuals that capture institutional knowledge for each facility so future crews have written procedures. The reservation and fee policy has been redrafted to clarify priorities and manage field allocations among legacy leagues and new organizations.

The operations presentation highlighted a new training program called Interplay that covers practical trades — plumbing, electrical and carpentry — and aims to broaden the skill set of field crews who increasingly perform in-house trades work. Staff also discussed recruitment: a promotion chain (Casey Lyons to senior project manager, Mark Henry to operations supervisor) has produced openings for crew supervisors and field positions. Operations reported recent extra-help interviews and offers and said 4 extra-help candidates had accepted contingent offers pending pre-employment steps.

Staff said the county once had about 32 parks staff in 2008, fell to about 12, and is rebuilding capacity to keep pace with new parks and county facilities. Safety, equipment training and compliance were described as top priorities, and staff said they will continue recruiting maintenance workers, parts workers and supervisors to meet growing demands.