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Parks Seasonal Jobs in Decatur, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Parks Seasonal information

See Decatur, IL salary details

$8

$15

$21

How much do parks seasonal jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for parks seasonal in Decatur, IL is $15.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.08 and $16.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a parks seasonal?

Parks Seasonal jobs are temporary positions within park departments or organizations, typically filled during busy seasons such as spring and summer. These roles can include grounds maintenance, landscaping, customer service, facility upkeep, and helping organize events or recreational activities. Parks Seasonal workers play a vital role in keeping parks clean, safe, and welcoming for visitors during peak usage times. The positions often appeal to students, outdoor enthusiasts, or those seeking short-term employment with flexible schedules. Some roles may require physical labor or interaction with the public, depending on the specific job description.

What are some common challenges faced by parks seasonal employees, and how can they prepare for them?

Parks Seasonal employees often face challenges such as working outdoors in varying weather conditions, handling physically demanding tasks like landscaping or maintenance, and interacting with diverse park visitors. To prepare, it’s helpful to stay physically active before starting, dress appropriately for weather changes, and develop strong customer service skills. Being adaptable and proactive in communication with supervisors and team members can also help navigate busy periods and ensure a positive work experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a parks seasonal, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Parks Seasonal employee, you typically need basic groundskeeping skills, physical stamina, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with landscaping tools, power equipment, and safety procedures is often required. Strong communication, teamwork, and reliability are important soft skills for interacting with colleagues and the public. These abilities ensure that park areas remain safe, attractive, and welcoming for visitors throughout the busy season.
What job categories do people searching Parks Seasonal jobs in Decatur, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Parks Seasonal jobs in Decatur, IL are:
What cities near Decatur, IL are hiring for Parks Seasonal jobs? Cities near Decatur, IL with the most Parks Seasonal job openings:
Parks Seasonal jobs near you
Infographic showing various Parks Seasonal job openings in Decatur, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $31,996 per year, or $15.4 per hour.

Full Time Park Laborer (Eastside)

Decatur Park District

Decatur, IL • On-site

$22.33/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Position Type:
Parks/Laborer
Date Posted:
4/13/2026
Location:
Nelson Park Maintenance Building
Job Title: Park Laborer - Full-time (Eastside)
Department: Parks Department
Reports To: Park Superintendent
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, $22.33/hour
POSITION FOCUS
Responsible for performing a variety of daily, cyclical and routine grounds and facility maintenance functions
SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to the Park Superintendent and may supervise a crew, as directed
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
  • Mows, fertilizes, aerates, grades, seeds, sods, waters, rakes and polices grounds and sports fields
  • Operates trucks, mowers, sod cutters, chain saws, hand and power tools and all other maintenance and mechanical equipment
  • Prepares beds, plants, trims, prunes, mulches, waters, weeds, stakes, fertilizes, rakes, shovels, digs, back fills and levels soil to complete and maintain grounds and horticultural projects
  • Follows written planting and site construction plans
  • Assists in the installation, inspection and repair or playground equipment
  • Maintains playground areas and equipment
  • Constructs and maintains ball diamonds
  • Lays out, grades, install bases, installs drainage, sods, waters, top dresses, fertilizes, aerates, installs goals and performs routine maintenance on athletic fields
  • Assists with construction projects, including timber and border installation, excavation, drainage installation, structure installation, site furniture assembly and installation, brick paver installation, pavement repair, and concrete pouring and finishing
  • Polices grounds and picks up and removes trash and debris
  • Assists in the installation of benches, tables, signs, playgrounds, fencing, pavement, bleachers, lockers, backboards and other site amenities
  • Operates tractors, loaders, truck trailer trucks, mowing equipment and small engine powered equipment
  • Drives all Park District vehicles
  • Loads, unloads and delivers equipment and supplies, as needed
  • Plows, shovels, snow blows, broom and salts to remove ice and snow
  • Paints buildings, picnic tables, trash cans, bleachers, poles, grounds and equipment
  • Cleans floors, windows, walls, carpets and other areas of Park District buildings
  • Performs grounds set ups and clean ups and removes refuse from buildings and sites
  • Cleans, adjusts and maintains tools and equipment
  • Cleans work site when projects are completed
  • Attends work on a regular basis
  • Performs the job safely and in compliance with District policies, procedures, work and safety rules, and the employee handbook
  • Maintains a clean and organized work environment
  • Additional functions may be essential

MARGINAL JOB DUTIES
  • Sets up and removes displays and transports equipment to various special events sites
  • Repairs and adjusts equipment, mounts seasonal accessories and mixes 2-cycle fuel
  • Purchases supplies, as needed
  • Assists tradesmen on projects, as needed
  • Submits reports to the Park Superintendent as directed
  • Performs other duties as assigned

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
  • Good knowledge of a variety of semi-skilled maintenance and manual tasks involved in the general upkeep and development of parks grounds and facilities
  • Good knowledge and skills in the use and maintenance of hand tools and grounds equipment
  • Capacity to safely operate a variety of maintenance equipment and machinery
  • Ability to clean, make adjustments and perform routine maintenance on equipment
  • Capacity to safely dispose of various chemicals
  • Ability to work from blueprints, sketches and drawings
  • Good knowledge of pertinent safety precautions
  • Ability to maintain positive and effective working relationships with supervisors and coworkers
  • Ability to work harmoniously with coworkers
  • Ability to work around the general public and park patrons in public areas
  • Capacity to utilize effective time management skills to complete assigned work
  • Ability to work in a team atmosphere, promoting positive work relationships with both internal and external customers
  • Ability to follow through on projects from beginning to end without immediate supervision
  • Capacity to lead crews, solve problems and make project-related decisions
  • Ability to communicate effectively with fellow staff and the public both orally and in writing
  • Ability to maintain self-control and composure in difficult situations
  • Ability to follow directions and communicate in English verbally and in writing and to read and understand materials printed in English
  • Capacity to perform basic mathematical computations including measuring, calculating and estimating
  • Ability to measure with and read rulers and other measuring devices
  • Ability to pass the Park District's Defensive Driving training, in order to drive to various Park District locations

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
  • High school graduate or G.E.D.
  • Minimum of three (3) to four (4) years experience in grounds maintenance, general construction or applicable trade
  • Or, any equivalent combination of education, experience and training
  • Valid Class B CDL or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire date
  • Valid Illinois Pesticide Public Operator License or valid Illinois Applicator License in turf or right of way or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire date
  • CPR and First Aid Certification preferred

HOURS
  • Sunday through Saturday, 40 hours a week, with work hours designated by the Park Superintendent
  • Overtime, as required
  • Night, weekend and holiday scheduling may be required

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
  • General work area is outdoors
  • Frequent exposure to natural and potentially extreme weather conditions while performing job duties
  • Exposure to chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, cleaning solutions, solvents, petroleum products, etc.
  • Exposure to mud, dirt, dust and decaying organic material
  • Exposure to chronic infectious disease while performing routine first aid or emergency procedures
  • Protective clothing and equipment is required as it pertains to the particular job duty:
  • Ear plugs or ear covers
  • Safety goggles, glasses or face shield
  • Sturdy leather work boots with steel or composite toe (No sneakers/tennis shoes or sandals)
  • Long work pants or jeans
  • No tank tops
  • Protective gloves
  • Rubber boots
  • Hard hat
  • Painting and spraying respirator
  • Back brace
  • Knee pads
  • Protective suit or outerwear
  • Chain saw chaps
  • Microshield
  • Latex gloves
  • Sitting - occasionally
  • Climbing - occasionally
  • Kneeling - occasionally
  • Reaching - frequently
  • Walking - frequently
  • Balancing - occasionally
  • Crouching - occasionally
  • Stooping - occasionally
  • Crawling - occasionally
  • Feeling/Handling - occasionally
  • Strength - heavy (50-100lbs.)

FULL TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
https://decatur-parks.org/blog/2025/08/21/decatur-park-district-benefits/
Decatur Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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