Parks Laborer Full-Time

Position Focus:

The Parks Laborer is responsible for the maintenance and landscaping of the District’s Park System.  The Parks Laborer is responsible for performing the essential and marginal functions as outlined in this description.  The Parks Laborer is a full-time hourly employee. 

Qualifications:

• Applicant must be 18 years or older. 
• A minimum of high school diploma or GED Certificate, but a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and/or a minimum of five years of progressive park operation work experience in the park and pool industry is Preferred. 
• The individual must have knowledge of general park maintenance, including, but not limited to mowing, fertilizing, seeding, weed control; athletic field maintenance, baseball field maintenance, landscaping, construction of playgrounds, winter maintenance (i.e. snow plowing and snow removal), holiday/seasonal decorations and lights, hanging banners, and operations of vehicles and tools.
• Pool maintenance experience is desired. 
• The individual should possess friendly and effective interpersonal, written, verbal and telephone communication skills.
• The individual should have the ability to plan, organize, supervise and lead part-time staff.

• The individual will be expected to obtain First Aid/CPR/AED certification, Pesticide Operator license required, or acquired within 6 months of hire.
• Carpentry, concrete and electrical experience preferred.
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) and Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certifications preferred.

•  Have a valid Illinois class “C” driver’s license or acquire within 6 months of hire. 
• Other certifications may be required as deemed necessary.

Hours: 

General work hours are a minimum of 40 hours a week.  General work hours take place Monday through Friday, with some evening and weekend hours due to the nature of special events, meetings and under the direction of the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks.  7:00am-3:30pm Monday through Friday          

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Communicate with the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks on issues and activities related to the park systems to ensure effective operations of the District.
• Attend department meetings and communicate effectively the current events and needs of the Park Department. 
• Maintain the turf of park district lawns; including but not limited to mowing, fertilizing, seeding, weed control and trash removal.
• Landscaping of park district properties.  This includes, but is not limited to soil grading and preparation, tree plantings, tree trimming, tree watering, mulching and flower bed maintenance. 
• Repair Park District equipment and vehicles as needed.
• Assists with the maintenance at the districts water park facility, Depot Museum, and Nature Center.
• Provide winter maintenance of park properties, including snow removal, salting, and ice rink maintenance. 
• Prepare, propose, review and maintain the policies and procedures illustrated in the District procedure manual with respect to the effective operations of the Maintenance Departments and Safety Program.

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare projects, reports and records on both a routine and special purpose basis as deemed necessary by the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks.
• Assist with program and special event set-ups as needed.
• Required to develop and promote safe work habits and to contribute in every manner possible for the safety of themselves, co-workers and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks or the Executive Director.

Required Knowledge:

The Parks Laborer must be able to work under the supervision of the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks.  The Parks Laborer may also feel pressure from having to meet deadlines.  The Park Laborer must be highly organized and can prioritize projects and handle several projects at the same time.

Required Competencies:

Parks Laborer must have the ability to present ideas and recommendations in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing.  The Park Laborer must exhibit good problem-solving skills and good judgment in keeping with the mission of the park district.  Also, the person must possess good safety awareness and judgment, while maintaining control of situations.

Physical Demands & Environmental Conditions:

This person must be able to stand for long stretches of time and be able to operate all Park District trucks and equipment.  Also, this person must have the ability to inspect facilities and program space. The individual may be required to work during various weather conditions, including hot and cold temperatures as well as rain and snow. 

• Must possess strength, stamina, and mobility to perform ongoing medium to heavy physical work.
• Parks Laborer will repeatedly stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push, pull, lift, carry, finger grasp, feel, sit, and perform other repetitive motions, as required.
• Ability to lift medium weights of up to 50 pounds frequently without assistance and heavier weights with assistance and/or the use of equipment. The ability to lift, turn and carry 50 pounds safely, placing the load on a chest-high shelf fulfills this lifting requirement.
• Vision is required to read printed materials, a computer screen and to distinguish colors in electrical wiring and mechanical systems.
• Hearing and speech are required to communicate in person and over a telephone or radio.
• Work environments are both indoors and outdoors around people, vehicles, machinery, and equipment with moderate to high noise levels.
• May work in controlled temperature conditions, extreme cold and hot temperatures, and inclement weather conditions, such as wind, rain, snow, and ice.
• Exposure to soil, mud, dirt, dust, pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals, solvents, mechanical and electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances, and fumes.
• Potential exposure to chronic infectious disease while performing routine first aid or emergency procedures.
• The use of the following personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) is required, based on the assigned job duties - provided by the park district:

• Ear and hearing protection such as ear plugs or ear covers
• Safety goggles, safety glasses or face shield
• Protective gloves for designated tasks
• Steel-toed boots, optional
• Rubber boots
• Ice cleats
• Hard hat
• Painting and spraying respirator
• Knee pads
• Protective suit or outerwear
• Chain saw chaps, chainsaw gloves, head, face and hearing protection gear
• Microshield or Sealeasy
• Non-latex gloves
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Sunscreen
• Hat or Visor
• Others not listed but as needed for a task

This job description is intended to describe the general content of and requirement for the performance of this position. It is not to be constructed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, and additional duties, functions, activities, or responsibilities may be assigned or change at any time, with or without notice.  The employee assigned to this position is responsible for performing the essential and marginal functions as outlined in this job description as well as any other duties that are assigned.

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Salary : $25 - $30