Job description
Downers Grove Park District
Forester
Forester
$28.37 per Hour DOQ (Annual $59,000)
The Opportunity: We are accepting applications for a Parks Forester. With 48 parks, 2 high profile Natural Areas – Lyman Woods and Belmont Prairie, and numerous smaller naturalized areas in park settings, the District is seeking an enthusiastic individual to who will be responsible for the overall care and upkeep of the District’s Urban Forest.
When You Will Work: This is a full-time year-round hourly position. Schedule is generally Monday – Friday from 7:00 am – 3:30 pm and night/weekend work as required as part of on-call rotation. This position may also require work to assist with special events.
What you get:
The hourly pay rate starts at $28.37 DOQ. Benefits include medical/d
ental/vision, life insurance, IMRF pension, and PTO plans.
Job Summary: The Park Forester is responsible for overall care and upkeep of the District’s Urban Forest including the maintenance of all trees including trimming, watering, pruning, removal, disease prevention, treatment of disease, etc. Performs maintenance duties for improvement of grounds, facilities, construction projects, landscaping, and natural areas
This is a non-exempt position represented by Local 681 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.
A Typical Day in the Life:
- Coordinates and carries out the activities that provide for the care and upkeep of the District’s trees including pruning, cutting, planting, and evaluating trees for insects and disease
- Provides leadership and guidance to co-workers and assigned staff when completing tasks in assigned areas; instructs and advises on the technical aspects of work assignments
- Assists with planning management and monitoring of natural areas
- Continues education to remain current in the care and upkeep of urban forestry
- Works with Superintendent to maintain quality staff through the ongoing recruitment, selection, training, and orientation of employees
- Assists and makes recommendations during the budget process
- Makes recommendations to the Superintendent with regard to projects, personnel, equipment needs, and work scheduling
- Ensures that all assigned paperwork is completed on a timely basis
- Updates Park District maintenance software during the workday
- Completes tasks that provide for the repair, preventative maintenance, construction, and development of parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, structures, roads, paths, parking lots, utilities, drainage, restroom and concession buildings, fleet vehicles and other property owned and managed by the District
- Operates District owned and rented equipment such as tractors, equipment for turf cutting, and maintenance, snow removal, and other tasks requiring special or heavy equipment
- Performs maintenance work such as cleaning park facilities including restrooms, pavilions, painting, trash disposal, ice rink maintenance, etc.
- Assists in care and planting of turf, trees, shrubs, and flowers
- Rotates in on-call schedule which includes weekends and may require working special events, snow removal and other assignments
About You:
- Bachelor ‘s degree in forestry or urban forestry, with course work in ornamental horticulture, dendrology, pathology, entomology, silviculture and personnel management from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of experience in the field and/or significant field experience and Certification Arborist designation.
- Certified Prescribed Burn Manager
- Must possess the ability to communicate effectively, work harmoniously with others, skill in the supervision and handling of tree maintenance personnel and the ability to manage the budget and records
- Possess a strong knowledge and understanding of how to care for, and maintain native and natural areas, forestry, horticulture, and turf grass management
- Must possess a valid Illinois Commercial Driver’s License and commercial pesticide applicator’s license, or be willing to obtain same
- Valid Illinois driver’s license (may receive within three months of employment when possessing a valid out of state license)
- Able to work outdoors in changing weather conditions.
- Must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
The Downers Grove Park District is an EOE
abouteureka.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, abouteureka.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, abouteureka.com is the ideal place to find your next job.