Park Maintenance I

Summary: The objective of the Park Maintenance I position is to be in a support role to a system of public park and recreational site planning, construction and management. Under the direction and supervision of the Park Maintenance Crew Leader and responsible to the Park Operations Manager and the Director of Parks and Planning, the Park Maintenance I crew will undertake and be responsible for the completion of routine and special projects as assigned. He/she shall complete his/her assignments to the best of his/her abilities, offer suggestions to improve job efficiency and quality and keep in mind the best interests of the District and fellow employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Driving

• On and offroad driving/operation of park district trucks of various sizes and license requirements. Snow removal from all designated parking lots, sidewalks, roads, driveways and pedestrian paths.

Landscaping

• Mowing park district turf using walkbehind and riding equipment.
• Turf maintenance fertilizing.
• Turf maintenance seeding, sodding, aerating.
• Weed management including hand, mechanical and chemical control methods.
• Planting trees, shrubs and other landscape material.
• Trimming trees and shrubs using hand tools, power equipment and lift equipment.
• Horticulture and natural areas management including; propagation, seed collection, vegetation removal, controlled burning.

Facilities/Parks

• Measuring out and painting lines on sports fields
• Construction, repair and painting of park and playground equipment.
• Assist in all phases of seasonal facility preparation and closing.
• Removing all garbage and refuse materials from parks and playgrounds.
• Inspect, repair, construct, and clean all park amenities.

Marginal Functions
Driving/Roads

• General asphalt repair: asphalt patching and striping.
• General road repair: gravel road and parking lot maintenance.
• Operation of light and heavy mechanical construction equipment.

Facilities/Parks

• Making and maintaining ice rinks.
• Custodial work, including cleaning of kitchens, locker rooms, toilets and rest room areas.
• Painting and finishing for various indoor and outdoor projects.

Other

• Maintenance of machinery and hand tools.
• Attend seminars and workshops to provide professional growth.
• Customer service; including addressing patron concerns.
• Communicate matters of departmental interest or importance to the Park Operations Manager in a timely manner.

Supervisory Responsibilities: May provide direction to seasonal and parttime employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include training seasonal employees and providing input on their performance appraisals.

Education and/or Experience: The Park Maintenance I employee must be, at minimum, a high school graduate or equivalent and be able to perform routine maintenance tasks of a semiskilled nature. The employee should have the ability to learn new tasks.

The employee should have some mechanical aptitude or knowledge in the use of:

• grounds equipment, including, but not limited to, tractors, loaders, trucks, hand operated pesticide applications equipment, lift trucks and wood chippers, power and hand tools.
• Further, the employee must be in good physical condition and have enough strength to perform heavy manual labor when required. 

Wage Range: $23.72-$23.72 per hour

Classification: Full-time, non-exempt

Schedule: Position is required to work either Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Benefits: The Park District of Highland Park offers the following comprehensive benefits package:
•    Medical Insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO or PPO)
•    Dental Insurance
•    Vision Insurance
•    Company Paid Group Term Life Insurance
•    Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
•    Pension/Benefit Plan (IMRF)
•    Deferred Compensation Plans
•    Flexible Spending Accounts (Health and Dependent Care)
•    Eight (8) Paid Federal Holidays
•    Paid Vacation
•    Two (2) Floating Holidays
•    Twelve (12) Paid Sick Days
•    Incentivized Wellness Program
•    Health & Fitness Membership
•    Outdoor Pool Membership and Seasonal Beach Access
•    Program and Facility Discounts on a variety of recreational activities including Golf, Raquet Sports, and Ice Skating. 

The Park District of Highland Park is an equal opportunity employer.