General Parks Operations

AHPD OVERVIEW

The Arlington Heights Park District (AHPD) is one of the most noteworthy park districts in Illinois. Located 25 miles northwest from downtown Chicago, AHPD is the 3rd largest Park District in Cook County and the 12th largest in the State of Illinois. Since 1925, AHPD continues to enrich the community by providing fun, accessible, and impactful recreation and facilities for every age and every season. The District are stewards of five community centers with outdoor pools, two tennis clubs, Lake Arlington, Arlington Ridge Center, two public golf clubs and a driving range, Arlington Heights Historical Museum, Senior Center, 58 parks, 44 playgrounds, 22 miles of jogging and bike trails across 714 acres of land. AHPD is a three times National Gold Medal Award recipient for excellence in the field of parks and recreation management and an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency.

GENERAL PARKS AND PLANNING INFORMATION

The Park District’s 714 acres and 22 buildings are maintained by the staff in the Parks and Planning Department. The grounds department maintains the 58 parks with 48 tennis courts, 7 pickleball courts, 21 soccer fields, 42 baseball/softball fields, 31 basketball courts and 22 miles of paved walking and biking paths. The trades department is dedicated to their trade responsibilities of HVAC, pool maintenance, fleet, electrical, plumbing, and carpentry.  The grounds department focuses their efforts in the area's horticulture, irrigation, athletic fields, playgrounds and maintaining the grounds of the District.  While each has their own dedicated responsibilities, they also work together across disciplines to provide quality and efficient service and repairs.  Staff work cooperatively to deliver fun and safe special events like the Memorial Day parade and ceremony, 4th of July parade and Frontier Days, and the holiday tree lighting and display at North School Park.  

JOB SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Join the parks department and become part of the team that provides opportunities for members of the Arlington Heights community to enjoy the many programs and services available through the Arlington Heights Park District!!  The General Parks – Operations position performs a variety of parks operational assignments.  Parks duties may include mowing, athletic fields, trash collection, snow removal, landscaping, tree removals, special events and general maintenance and repair projects.

BENEFITS WE OFFER

In exchange for your time and talent, we offer a generous benefit package, including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage 
• Life Insurance (basic & voluntary additional coverage)
• IMRF Defined Benefit Pension
• Short- and Long-Term Disability (IMRF)
  
• 457 and ROTH 457 Defined Contribution Plans
• Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (sick, vacation and Floating Holidays)
• Credit Union 
• PPE Reimbursement
• Park District facility and program discounts
• Paid Parental Leave

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Performs routine maintenance of park grounds
• Performs all required tasks to construct, prepare and maintain ball diamonds and athletic fields; lays out, chalks/lines, grades, cuts lips, installs bases, installs drainage, sods, waters, top dresses, fertilizes, aerates, and installs goals 
• Picks up and removes trash and debris
• Operates trucks, mowers, sod cutters, chain saws, hand and power tools and all other maintenance and safety sensitive mechanical equipment as properly licensed
• Prepares planting beds, plants trees, shrubs and other plant material, trims, prunes, mulches, waters, weeds, stakes, fertilizes, rakes, shovels, digs, back fills and levels soil to complete and maintain grounds and horticultural projects
• Applies pesticide products to Park District grounds and/or horticultural areas (with proper licensing)
• Creates, maintains and updates fertilizer and herbicide application records
• Follows written and verbal planting and site construction plans
• Maintains playground areas, equipment, and safety surface
• Performs routine maintenance on landscaping equipment, mowing equipment and other equipment
• Assists in construction projects, including but not limited to timber and border installation, excavation, drainage installation, site furniture assembly and installation, brick paver installation, pavement repair, and concrete pouring and finishing
• Plows, shovels, snow blows, broom and salts to remove ice and snow
• Constructs and maintains outdoor ice rinks
• Paints interior and exterior buildings as well as other park amenities
• Performs special event set ups and clean ups 
• Attends work on a regular basis
• Performs the job safely and in compliance with District policies and procedures
• Performs required inspections, documents, and corrects safety issues found
• Maintains a clean and organized work environment 
• Performs all other duties as assigned

 SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS 

• High school graduate or G.E.D., some experience preferred
• Or, any equivalent combination of education, experience and training
• Valid Illinois Class “D” Driver’s License 
• CPR and AED Certification required within six months of employment

The Arlington Heights Park District commits itself to diversity, equity, and inclusion to create a mutually respectful, multicultural, and equitable environment.