Arborist/Grounds Crew Leader

Position Type:
Parks/Arborist/Grounds Crew Leader
Date Posted:
2/12/2024
Location:
Park Services Maintenance GarageTitle: Arborist/Grounds Crew Leader
Reports To: Grounds Manager
Division: Park Services
FLSA Status: Non Exempt
Category: Full Time
Grade: 5
Starting Pay: $19.23/hr, DOE
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, occasional weekends
Last Revised: March 2022
SUMMARY
Under the direction and supervision of the Grounds Manager, the Grounds Crew Leader is responsible for work and projects at various park locations. The Grounds Crew Leader will be assigned the responsibility for the care and maintenance of various park sites, projects and seasonal park operations. The Grounds Crew Leader will give direction and supervision to groups and individuals performing a variety of tasks.
QUALIFICATIONS

• A High School Diploma is required. An Associates degree is preferred in related field, plus five (5) years of experience in grounds maintenance, natural resources, horticulture or related fields.
• Knowledge and experience in general grounds care and maintenance.
• Ability to operate and maintain various types of equipment i.e. hand tools, power tools and motorized equipment.
• Have or obtain State of Illinois Arborist License.
• Have or obtain State of Illinois Pesticide Applicators License in Ornamentals, Right of Way, Forestry.
• Good knowledge of pesticide applications.
• Ability to work with and supervise full and part-time employees as needed.
• Work weekends and holidays as assigned.
• Ability to cooperate with and interpret Park District philosophies in relation to governmental, public and private groups and agencies and to the general public.
• Strong knowledge of pertinent safety precautions.
• Ability to supervise, train and evaluate the work of skilled and semi-skilled employees.
• Ability to maintain a positive and effective working relationships with other supervisors and subordinate employees.
• Ability to work harmoniously with fellow employees, patrons, community groups and other units of local government.
• Ability to work independently in day-to-day operations with general direction of the Superintendent of Parks and Grounds Manager.
• Capacity to utilize effective time management skills and be able to work under the stress of multiple deadlines, requests from other departments and interruptions with accuracy.
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere, promoting positive work relationships with both internal and external customers.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership qualities to perform required work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with fellow staff and the public both orally and in writing.
• Capacity to be self-motivated and achieve goals with minimal supervision or direction.
• Ability to maintain self-control and composure in difficult situations.
• Capacity to proactively troubleshoot, problem solve and make sound judgments with respect to confidentiality.
• Valid driver's license.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plan and schedule work in accordance with the Superintendent of Parks and the Grounds Manager
• Schedule work crews engaged in various tasks, projects or special events that are assigned
• Perform landscaping work, such as planting, pruning and removal of trees, shrubs, perennials
• Weed control of planted, landscape and turf areas that are assigned
• Schedule winter snow removal operations
• Train staff in Grounds maintenance and equipment
• Perform monthly grounds inspections
• Assist Landscape Crew Leader and Manager of Natural Resources
• Assist with prescribed burns as needed
• Assist with mowing at Lippold Park or other areas as needed
• Supervise assigned grounds projects
• Supervise assigned landscape related projects (i.e. plant annual flowers, site inventory of plants, etc.)
• Assist Grounds Manager with memorial tree program
• Assist Grounds Manager with the ArcGIS tree inventory
• Assist Park Planner with landscape related duties (i.e. hazard tree program)
• Performs job safely and in compliance with District, policies, procedures, work and safety rules and the personnel policy manual
• Attends staff meetings, as required

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist staff in the performance of their duties
• Assist staff with completion of work orders and special events
• Attend meetings and participates in house committees and local community agencies, associations and organizations
• Respond to citizen's complaints and suggestions
• Attends professional conferences and workshops to promote knowledge in related areas of responsibility and for continuing education
• Perform other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Must be in condition adequate to conduct on site inspection of park district facilities and operations
• Must be able to perform manual labor with varying degrees of physical exertion
• May frequently be required walk, sit, talk and hear.
• May frequently be required to use hands and/or fingers, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms
• May frequently be required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Must be able to handle average to heavy weight materials, maximum weight 50 pounds without assistance. Over 50 pounds with assistance.
• May be in awkward or difficult positions resulting in physical fatigue
• Must have specific vision abilities required for this job: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Worker must be able to work:

• Effectively under stress of deadlines and complaints
• Independently
• Under supervision and direction of executive director
• Cooperatively with fellow staff, general public, contractors, vendors, community groups, and media in a proper manner
• May also need to resolve differences between staff.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Prolonged stress and pressures of the position could affect some individuals' blood pressure.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Worker may be:

• Involved in repetitive work (i.e. computer keyboard, writing, hand tools)
• Visiting parks and buildings which will expose him/her to weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold, snow, rain and ice
• Some activities are performed indoors; these conditions include lighting and temperature
• Exposed to various chemicals, such as fertilizers, weed killers, paint, cleaning agents, oil and fuel
• Exposed to elevated noise levels produced from landscape maintenance equipment and/or power tools

COGNITIVE CONSIDERATIONS
Worker must be able to:

• Train and pass on other prudent safety and other work related practices to co-workers
• Use basic math, reading and writing skills
• Follow step-by-step procedures and obtain appropriate end results
• Exhibit good problem solving abilities
• Analyze data to create reports, make recommendations, and strategize appropriate follow-up
• Project a positive image and neat appearance to visitors of the park district
• Demonstrate good safety awareness.