Vegetation Management Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $22.69 - $26.62 Hourly
Location : City Hall Bloomington, IN
Job Type: AFSCME Regular Full-time (40hrs/week; benefits)
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME
Typical Work Schedule:: 7:30 am - 3 pm
Position Reports to:: Natural Resources Working Foreperson
Supervises Staff:: No
Description
Responsible for vegetation management related to the upkeep of natural areas, urban greenspace areas, trails, and other areas as assigned within City-owned Parks properties.
Duties
This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all job functions performed.
The following are essential duties for this position, performed with or without reasonable accommodation:
Primary
Helps to direct allocation of materials and labor, and to support the safe, accurate, and timely completion of tasks. Assists with the training and supervision of temporary and non-full-time employees, as needed.
Assists with the implementation of management plans and prescriptions for a range of vegetation management activities, including the site prep, installation, and management of native plantings and other ecological restoration projects.
Collects GIS data and performs vegetation monitoring. Records and reports pesticide applications in compliance with departmental Integrated Pest Management Plan.
Utilizes a range of vegetation management techniques, including the mixing and application of herbicides. Mows or trims vegetation in assigned areas according to schedule or as needed.
Operates, transports, and maintains various hand tools, light equipment, and vehicles to implement vegetation management activities.
Follows standardized procedures, tracks work assignments, and keeps maintenance records. Assists to maintain inventory of tools, equipment, and materials, as needed.
Responds to inquiries or complaints from citizens concerning vegetation management and refers valid complaints to the supervisor.
Supports and helps direct volunteer vegetation management efforts.
Secondary
Assists with small construction and repair projects such as fence installation, sign posting, trail upkeep, and minor equipment repair, in relation to vegetation management duties.
Attends required departmental staff/team meetings and participates in periodic professional development opportunities outside the City.
Performs snow removal activities and assists with operation of tools and equipment necessary for snow and ice removal. Assists with other weather emergency response activities as needed.
Removes trash and debris from city public areas, parks, cemeteries, and facilities as needed.
Assists with special event set-ups and tear downs as required by the Operations Superintendent.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
High school diploma or combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.
Three years' experience implementing vegetation management activities and adherence to related workplace safety protocols, preferred.
Two years' experience with pesticide use techniques and application equipment in a natural area setting, preferred.
Possess or obtain OISC Certified Pesticide Applicator Category 2 and/or 6 license within two months of hire.
Experience in the safe operation, maintenance, and transport of a range of tools and light equipment including hand tools, chainsaw, brush cutter, string trimmer, mowing equipment, pesticide application equipment, high pressure spraying equipment, water tank with pump, pick-up truck, small dump truck, and small trailer.
Ability to accurately identify and distinguish between native and invasive plant species in the field.
Experience using GIS software to monitor and collect vegetation management data, preferred.
Possess or ability to obtain CPR/AED and First Aid certification within one month of hire.
Ability to legally operate a motor vehicle required.
Difficulty of Work and Personal Work Relationship
Difficulty of Work
Duties are moderately complex according to both general and specialized instructions from the Natural Resources Working Foreperson and Natural Resources Manager.
Employee performs the majority of duties outdoors on a year-round basis, in a range of weather conditions. This may include extreme conditions such as high heat and humidity and low temperatures. Work sites may involve exposure to ticks, mosquitoes, poison ivy, and stinging insects; as well as to noise, dust, and vehicle and equipment fumes. Safety precautions must be followed to avoid injury and incident.
Moderate to strenuous repetitive physical effort is exerted daily to set up and operate equipment, load and unload materials, and perform duties. This includes walking, bending, stooping, and movement of extremities necessary to navigate terrain, handle equipment controls, lift and load materials, supplies, and equipment.
Employee must be physically capable of lifting heavy objects up to 75 pounds, such as tree limbs, other natural materials, building materials, and fencing. Work duties involve hiking over uneven terrain while carrying equipment, often covering distances exceeding 5 miles per day. This includes the ability to lift and carry a 35-pound backpack sprayer, for extended periods over long distances.
Position is considered Essential Personnel. Rules governing attendance during weather emergencies, as stated in the City's Bad Weather Policy, apply to this position. On call and weekend/holiday duty may be required for work assignments such as storm clean up and snow and ice removal.
Personal Work Relationships
Work involves moderate computer use for daily email communications and document upkeep across shared platforms. Position requires the daily use of mobile devices for time-sensitive communications and to utilize mobile applications for GIS data collection and asset management tracking.
Position involves frequent contact and communications with superiors, staff, volunteers, and members of the general public for a variety of purposes including explanation of activities and providing program services.
An Equal Opportunity Employer, La Egualdad De Oportunidades De Empleo Es La Ley. The City of Bloomington does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
The City of Bloomington validates authorization to work using E-Verify, which provides the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's I-9 form to confirm work authorization.
We offer an excellent benefits package to regular full-time and part-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and personal time off.

• Eligible employees receive 13 paid holidays per year. They may earn up to 4 weeks (160 hours) of Paid Time Off in their first year of employment and 5 weeks (200 hours) in their second calendar year of employment.
• The City contributes 100% of the 14.2% of a regular employee's salary to their retirement fund through the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS). Employees may contribute additional pre-taxed dollars to a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan account to supplement their retirement earnings. The City will contribute double the amount of the employee's 457 (b) contribution to a 401(a) account up to $30 per pay.
• Health, vision, and dental insurance premiums are subsidized by the City and are available on day one of employment to regular employees. Employees may elect the High Deductible Insurance plan with the City providing an HSA contribution and if the employee is a non-smoker or participating in the Tobacco Cessation program, the employee only plan is at no cost to the employee.
• Employees and their dependents (ages 3 and up) who are on the City's health insurance may utilize the City Employee Health Clinic.
• Employees may receive over $2,400 per year in HSA contributions and wellness reimbursements, insurance discounts, and incentives.
• The City offers life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and long term disability insurance at no cost to employees. Employees may elect voluntary term life and short-term disability insurance.
• After 1 year of employment, six weeks of paid parental leave are available to eligible employees.
• Employee Tuition reimbursment plan.*
• Student Loan Forgiveness: The City of Bloomington is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans.*
• City Employees can participate in the Sustainable Commuter Incentive program for financial incentive.
• City Employees are able to ride the Bloomington Transit for free.

*Conditions and restrictions apply.
All new hires to the City for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) positions will initially start out at Step 1 of the assigned pay grade for the assigned position. Then after a 120 day probation, pay will increase to a minimum of a Step 2 for that position, however based on the new hire's skills, knowledge, abiliites, and experience the pay could be moved to a higher step.
01
Do you meet the minimum requirements of High school diploma or combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position?

• Yes
• No

02
Describe how you meet the preferred experience with pesticide use techniques and application equipment in a natural area setting. If you have no prior experience, type NA.
03
Describe how you meet the preferred experience implementing vegetation management activities and adherence to related workplace safety protocols. If you have no prior experience, type NA
04
This position requires possess or obtain Possess or obtain OISC Certified Pesticide Applicator Category 2 and/or 6 license within two months of two months of hire.

• Yes, I currently have my OISC Certified Pesticide Applicator Category 2 and/or 6 license.
• I do not currently have an OISC Certified Pesticide Applicator License in Category 2 and/or 6, but I am willing to obtain the required certification within two months of hire.
• I do not currently have an OISC Certified Pesticide Applicator License in Category 2 and/or 6, and I am unable to obtain the required license within two months of hire.

05
Do you have the legal ability to legally operate a motor vehicle required?

• Yes
• No

06
Describe any experience in the safe operation, maintenance, and transport of a range of tools and light equipment including hand tools, chainsaw, brush cutter, string trimmer, mowing equipment, pesticide application equipment, high pressure spraying equipment, water tank with pump, pick-up truck, small dump truck, and small trailer. If you do not have any experience, type NA.
Required Question