Parks Specialist

RIVER TRAILS PARK DISTRICT•Prospect Heights, IL

4d•$44,200 - $55,200•Onsite

About The Position

The Parks Specialist I is a full-time, non-exempt position within the Parks and Facilities Department. This role involves performing landscaping, athletic field maintenance, and general facility maintenance tasks under the direction of the Parks Manager. Key duties include mowing, line trimming, turf maintenance, care of trees, shrubs, and flower beds, garbage cleanup, washroom cleaning, and inspections of park grounds, playgrounds, and athletic fields. The position also requires operating heavy equipment, assisting with equipment maintenance, maintaining a clean shop, attending meetings, and continuing education. This role may involve on-call duties for nights and weekends, assisting with special events, and performing snow removal. The specialist will also supervise part-time or seasonal employees and must possess efficient time management skills. A strong emphasis is placed on fostering a safe working environment and adhering to risk management policies.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED equivalent
Must be at least 18 years old.
1-2 years of landscaping experience including mowing.
Possession of a valid Illinois driver’s license.
Must be able to pass a criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

Excellent (oral and written) communication and organization skills.
Heavy equipment operation.
Snow removal operations.
Tree work including the operation of chainsaws and woodchippers.
Must obtain and maintain a valid Illinois Pesticide Public Operator’s License within 1 year of hiring.

Responsibilities

Mowing, line trimming, and turf maintenance.
Care of trees, athletic fields, turf, shrubs and flower beds.
Performs maintenance of the grounds at schools and parks within the River Trails Park District boundaries.
Operates heavy equipment including skid steers, tractors, mowers, and woodchippers.
Garbage cleanup throughout district grounds.
Cleans washrooms as needed.
Conducts inspections of park grounds, playgrounds, and athletic fields/courts.
Assists Mechanic with maintaining equipment and vehicle preventative maintenance.
Assists with facility maintenance and custodial as needed.
Helps maintain a clean and organized maintenance shop.
Attends River Trails Park District and parks department meetings as needed.
Continues education by attending classes, seminars, or conferences related to the position.
On call nights and weekends, as needed.
Assists with set up, break down, and day of special events.
Performs snow removal with shovels, snow blowers, plows, and tractors.
Supervises part time or seasonal employees to perform projects and tasks.
Fosters a working environment that promotes safe work habits and active participation in the agency’s risk management program.
Uses good safety awareness, judgment, and follows policies.
Maintains a working knowledge of all general agency and department-specific safety rules.
Attends required safety program and in-service education meetings.
Corrects unsafe conditions and/or reports them to the Grounds Manager.