Assistant Playground Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL

Summary: Responsible for semi-skilled maintenance work for a system of public park and recreational areas.
Responsible for maintenance of athletic fields including equipment operation, irrigation systems and
inspection of athletic and park turf conditions, as well as the completion of routine and special projects as
assigned. Completes daily assignments, as directed by a Parks Manager and assigned by the Park
Maintenance Crew Leader. Other responsibilities include offering suggestions and recommendations to
improve job efficiency and quality, while following Park District policies and procedures, and completing
work in the best interests of the district.
Supervisory Responsibilities: May train and provide direction to other full-time, part-time and seasonal employees as assigned. Responsibilities may include providing input on employees’ performance reviews.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Turf and Irrigation

• Responsible for the upkeep of athletic fields, including but not limited to aerating, repairing worn out turf, top dressing, overseeding, fertilizing, and other general maintenance and care tasks.
• Performs preventive maintenance and repairs to outdoor athletic fields and irrigation systems.
• Measuring out and painting athletic field lines on sports fields.
• Provide input in preparation of the operating budget for related material needs, including assessing equipment needs.
• Work with managers to order and maintain inventory of turf and fertilizer supplies, grass seed, , topsoil, and irrigation supplies.
• Maintain records of seed and organic fertilizer applications.
• Perform turf maintenance, including aerating, overseeding, fertilizing, on turf throughout District outdoor properties.

Driving

• On and off-road driving/operation of park district trucks of various sizes, including pulling a trailer.
• Operate tractors with various implements.
• Snow removal from all designated parking lots, sidewalks, roads, driveways and pedestrian paths.
• Operation of light and heavy mechanical construction equipment.

Landscaping

• Mowing park district turf using walk-behind and riding equipment.
• Weed management including hand and mechanical control methods. The use of chemicals is restricted to limited situations. 
• Planting trees, shrubs and other landscape material.
• Trimming trees and shrubs using hand tools, power equipment and lift equipment.
• Horticulture and assist natural areas management including; propagation, seed collection, vegetation removal, controlled burning.

Parks/Facilities

• 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.
• Making and maintaining ice rinks.
• Custodial work, including cleaning of kitchens, locker rooms, toilets and restroom areas.
• Painting and finishing for various indoor and outdoor projects.
• General asphalt repair: asphalt patching and striping.
• General road repair: gravel road and parking lot maintenance.

Other

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

Education and/or Experience: Two-year college associate’s degree in landscaping, turf management, or related field or at least three (3) years specialized training and experience in landscape and turf management. Able to perform routine maintenance tasks of a semi-skilled nature. Knowledge of basic construction methods, drainage techniques, basic planting and care of landscape materials is required. Basic knowledge of trade skills, in at least one (1) of the building trades is preferred (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, carpentry, masonry) for cross-training opportunities but not required. Familiarity with GIS/GPS mapping software and hardware preferred.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Use of grounds equipment, including, but not limited to, tractors, loaders, trucks, chainsaws, hand-operated pesticide applications equipment, lifts, woodchippers, snowblowers, power and hand tools.
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to be flexible and learn new tasks.
• Ability to work independently
• American Red Cross CPR/AED
• Valid driver's license
• Must obtain and keep current with the State of Illinois Pesticide Operator License (be able to obtain within 6 months of hire)
• Moderate proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel

Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM-3:00PM

Wage Range: $28.37-$31.21

Classification: Full-time, non-exempt

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance; reach with hands and arms; use hands to finger, handle or feel; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is
occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,
distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Working Conditions: The physical environment requires the employee to regularly work in outside weather conditions to
be exposed to hot and humid weather, wet conditions, and cold temperatures. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and vibration. Employee will perform heavy manual labor. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electric shock. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally loud.

Benefits: 

•    Medical Insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO or PPO)
•    Dental Insurance
•    Vision Insurance
•   4 Weeks Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
•    Company Paid Group Term Life Insurance
•    Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
•    Pension/Benefit Plan (IMRF)
•    Deferred Compensation Plans
•    Flexible Spending Accounts (Health and Dependent Care)
•    Ten (10) Paid Federal Holidays
•    Paid Vacation
•    Three (3) 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, Racquet Sports, and Ice Skating. 

The Park District of Highland Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer