Horticulture Worker - Driver Job Details Job Location Oak Park Conservatory - Oak Park, IL Position Type Seasonal Education Level High School Salary Range $14.00 Hourly Job Shift Day Job Category Non-Union **Job Purpose**

The Seasonal Horticulture Worker-Driver will assist the Horticulture Supervisor and staff in the ongoing maintenance of the landscape areas throughout the Park District and Conservatory. Typical duties will include: planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing, pruning, spadecut edging and mulching. This position will be required to drive the Park District's van, pick-up truck, dump truck,and utility vehicle to and from park sites.

**Essential Functions:**

In order to effectively perform the functions of this position, the Seasonal Horticulture Worker shall assume the following responsibilities and associated duties:

- Facility Management/Programming

- Implement planting designs and maintenance practices for landscapes including tiling, planting, watering, fertilizing, weeding, and pest management

- Communication/Coordination

- Answers horticulture-related questions from the public based on background, expertise, education, and/or certification

- Coordinates with other Park District staff regarding horticultural operations at the Conservatory and selected parks and/or facilities

- Risk Management

- Promotes an environment of safe work habits and active participation in the Park Districts risk management and safety programs

- Maintains a complete actionable understanding of the Park Districts emergency action plans (EAPs); acts as a leader (as assigned) in the execution of EAPs when required

**Additional Functions:**

- Drive Conservatory vehicle to and from locations where work is being performed.

**Knowledge, Skill and Work Experience (Required):**

* High school diploma or GED, or combination of experience and education

* Must be at least 18 years of age or older

* Ability to distinguish weeds from flowers

* Ability to work at a height

* Physical fitness and strength to lift 50 pounds and 100 pounds with assistance

* Ability to operate heavy and light work-related equipment

* Ability to work on hands and knees to weed flower beds

* A valid drivers license and good driving record; must pass a pre-employment drug test. This position is part of a random drug testing program

* Certification in advanced Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within 1 month of employment and keep certification current. The District provides this training.

**Recommended:**

* Some knowledge of gardening and plant care.

* Associates degree in Horticulture or closely related field of study.

* Knowledge of estate or formal landscape care and maintenance.

* Knowledge of native plantings.

**Work Environment, Physical Demands and Considerations**

* Frequently Sitting, walking, standing, reaching, climbing

* Occasionally Balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling

* Strength Work requires digging and handling heavy weight (up to 100 lbs.) of materials or equipment

* Will be exposed to chemicals such as cleaning materials, acids, glues, chlorine, and pesticides

* Will be exposed to occasional inclement weather including extreme heat, sun, humidity, cold, rain, snow, ice and wind

* Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required as it pertains to the particular job duty, including: safety goggles, glasses, face shields, steel tip work boots, protective rubber or leather gloves, hard hat, paint spray respirator, protective suits and outer wear, and back brace

* Some exposure to noise, dust, fumes, elevation, and confined spaces

* Must be able to work in high places

* Ability to present ideas and recommendations in a concise verbal and written manner

* Ability to maintain effective audio-visual and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating assigned equipment

* Math skills including measuring, calculating, and estimating

* Ability to interpret and explain Park District and department policies, practices, and procedures

* Demonstrated safety awareness and judgment in all aspects of responsibility

**Customers:**

* Internal: Park District staff, Board of Park Commissioners, FOPCON

* External: Patrons of Conservatory and Park District, residents of Oak Park, WSSRA, partner organizations including governmental and non-profit groups, and the Oak Park business community

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, functions or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, functions, activities or responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.*

The Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer!