The Seasonal Parks Laborer is responsible for performing a variety of routine daily and cyclical landscaping and maintenance job duties throughout the Itasca Park District’s Park System.

Qualifications:

• A minimum age of 18 is required for this position
• High school graduate or G.E.D. certificate
• Prior experience in parks maintenance or landscaping is preferred
• Strong interpersonal, oral, written and telephone communication skills
• Team-centric focus with the ability to foster a collaborative and productive work environment
• Valid Class “D” driver’s license
• Other certifications may be required as deemed necessary

Required Competencies:

• Ability to work under the supervision of the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks and designated crew leaders to carry out their directives
• Ability to communicate, present ideas and make recommendations orally, in writing and by telephone in a clear, concise manner
• Capacity to plan, organize, prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability operate the Buildings & Parks department in an organized and efficient manner
• Ability to demonstrate tact and strong interpersonal skills in maintaining positive, effective working relationships with tall employees throughout the Park District
• Ability to perform a variety of cyclical and routine tasks to maintain buildings, facilities, turf and grounds
• Ability to foster and work in a team atmosphere promoting positive and collaborative relationship
• Ability to resolve conflicts with the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks, peers, subordinates and coworkers in a productive e, professional manner
• Ability to work in the vicinity of the general public and park patrons in public areas
• Ability to safely operate and maintain all Park District vehicles, equipment and tools
• Ability to communicate, present ideas and make recommendations both orally and in writing in a clear, concise manner
• Capacity to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Capacity to manage stress from having to meet project deadlines
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere promoting positive and collaborative relationships
• Capacity to be self-motivated and complete assigned work by using effective time and organizational skills
• Ability to proactively trouble shoot, problem solve and make sound judgments in keeping with the mission of the Park District
• Capacity to maintain self-control and composure in difficult situations
• Ability to follow directions, to communicate orally and in writing in English, and to read and understand materials printed in English
• Capacity to understand and perform basic mathematical computations including measuring, calculating and estimating using rulers and other measuring devices
• Ability to pass the Park District’s Defensive Driving training, in order to drive to various Park District locations

Hours:

Hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, up to eight hours a day, and between 20 and 40 hours a week on a seasonal basis. Overtime, evening, weekend and holiday work hours may be required as directed and authorized by the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Communicates with the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks on issues and activities related to Buildings & Parks
• Maintains the turf of Park District lawns, including but not limited to, mowing, irrigation, fertilizing, seeding, controlling weeds and removing trash
• Landscapes Park District properties, including grading and preparing soil, tree plantings, tree trimming, tree spraying, tree watering, mulching and flower bed maintenance
• Follows written planting and site plans, as directed
• Operates a variety of maintenance vehicles and equipment, including tractors, loaders, truck trailer trucks, mowing equipment and small engine powered equipment
• Repairs park district vehicles and equipment, as needed
• Provides winter maintenance of park properties, including snow and ice removal, salting and ice rink maintenance
• Performs general maintenance and janitorial duties including, but not limited to, policing grounds and buildings and removing trash; painting; moving and storing supplies, furniture and chemicals; performing minor electrical and plumbing tasks; etc.
• Assists with program set-ups, as needed
• Attends department meetings and effectively communicates the current events and needs of the Parks & Planning Department
• Reviews and maintains the policies and procedures outlined in the Itasca Park District Procedures Manual with respect to the safe and effective operations of the Parks & Planning Department and Safety Program
• Establishes good working relationships with patrons, the community and the general public
• Attends work on a regular basis
• Maintains a clean and organized work environment
• Performs any additional job duties, which may be considered essential, as assigned by the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks or the Executive Director

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops, promotes and utilizes safe work habits while contributing in every possible manner to the safety of themselves, coworkers and he general public
• Prepares projects, reports and records on both a routine and special purpose basis as directed by the Superintendent of Buildings & Parks

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions:

• Must possess strength, stamina, and mobility to perform ongoing medium to heavy physical work
• Incumbent 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 heavy 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 is required to communicate in person and over a telephone or radio
• Ability to inspect facilities and program space and to ambulate in areas that may be inaccessible as defined by the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) for the purpose of completing this function.
• Work is performed 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:

o Ear and hearing protection such as ear plugs or ear covers

o Safety goggles, safety glasses or face shield

o Protective gloves

o Steel-toed boots, OSHA approved

o Rubber boots

o Ice cleats

o Hard hat

o Painting and spraying respirator

o Back brace

o Knee pads

o Protective suit or outerwear

o Chain saw chaps

o Microshield or Sealeasy

o Non-latex gloves

o Automated External Defibrillator

o Sunscreen

o Hat or Visor