Landscape Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Overview:

The Landscape Mowing Assistant is a Part-Time IMRF Position. We offer competitive compensation, PTO, IMRF and an employee discount for part-time employees.

Job Purpose:

To assist in the maintenance and presentation of parks and public green spaces by performing landscape mowing and related grounds maintenance tasks, ensuring safe, clean, and well-maintained recreational areas for the community.
Essential Functions:

In order to effectively perform the functions of this position, the Landscape Assistant shall assume the following responsibilities and associated duties:

Facility Management/Programming
Implements turf maintenance practices for non-sports field areas in all parks and/or facilities.
Assists Parks & Planning Department with turf and sports field maintenance as needed

Communication/Coordination
Works with a crew to maintain the non-sports field areas throughout the park system
Communicates needed improvements to supervisor
Coordinates with Park District Sports Field crews to ensure consistent quality turf throughout park system

Employee Management
Uses, operates, and maintains turf management tools in proper and safe manner
Becomes familiar with the personnel policies and manual of the Park District in order to facilitate routine day-to-day human resource matters

Risk Management
Completes accident and incident reports in a timely manner
Promotes an environment of safe work habits and active participation in the Park District’s risk management and safety programs
Maintains a complete actionable understanding of the Park District’s emergency action plans (EAPs); acts as a leader (as assigned) in the execution of EAPs when required
Additional Functions:

• Participates in Parks & Planning special projects, programs, and activities
• Performs other tasks as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Work Experience Required:

• Minimum high school graduate or equivalent, preferred.
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Experience in Landscaping, Operating a zero-turn mower, and towing of trailer with truck.
• Broad knowledge of turf management practices
• Must have valid driver's license with a good record.  This position is subject to pre-employment, post-accident/injury and random drug testing.
• Ability to maintain multiple projects in a dynamic environment
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Strong sense of self-motivation and independent work habits
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and problem solve
• 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.
• Ability to operate medium and light turf management machinery

Work Environment, Physical Demands and Considerations:

• Frequently – Sitting, walking, standing, reaching
• Occasionally – Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling
• Strength – Work requires digging and handling heavy weight (up to 50lbs. over 50lbs with assistance) materials or equipment, with or without accommodations
• May be exposed to chemicals such as cleaning materials, acids, glues, chlorine, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
• Will be exposed to 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
• 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 
External: Park District residents of Oak Park and users of PDOP park spaces

Hours: 

Must be available to work a flexible schedule as it may change based on need, days, nights and weekends as required. 

Work schedule - Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm up to 26 hours per week.  Or up to 40 hours per week April-October and 2-3 days per week November- March.

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 of Oak Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer!