Parks Specialist

Under the direction and supervision of the Parks Manager and Parks Supervisors, the Parks Specialist is responsible for supervising part-time and seasonal staff, and performing a variety of park maintenance tasks, including playground safety inspections, playground repairs, garbage collection, turf maintenance, horticulture, forestry, athletic fields, custodial and recreation support activities. This is a hands-on position with a vast majority of time to be spent working in the field. The Parks Specialist is on-call as-needed, supervising and leading part-time and seasonal employees. This is an at-will position.
 
Qualifications/Education 
  • Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
  • Preference given to candidates with an Associates’ Degree in a related field such as: Turf Management, Horticulture, Urban Forestry or a related field.
  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Must have a valid Driver's License.
  • Must possess a valid State of Illinois Pesticide Operator's License or must have ability to obtain within six 6) months of hire (District provided)
  • Must be CPR and AED certified within six (6) months of hiring (District provided).
 
Essential Duties & Responsibilities 
  • Employee is responsible for completing hands-on maintenance-related tasks in the field, as assigned by the Parks Manager and/or Parks Supervisor(s).
  • Employee must perform assigned inspections and is responsible for ensuring our parks, properties, vehicles, equipment, and other assets are in a safe and functional working condition and maintained at a presentable service level.
  • Employee is responsible for garbage collection in all of our parks and must clean and maintain park pavilions, restrooms and other assigned buildings.
  • Employee must maintain grounds through litter pickup, recycling, and other activities.
  • Employee must organize, prioritize and direct multiple projects, labor and equipment needs.
  • Employee must document labor-hours and materials used on work orders to specific job requirements. 
  • Employee must apply herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides to destroy undesirable growth and pests.
  • Employee must assist the Horticulture, Fleet & Mowing, Playgrounds, and Athletic Fields crews as-assigned.
  • Employee must perform playground maintenance, including inspections, repairs, mulch maintenance, and cleaning as-needed.
  • Employee must perform ornamental horticulture maintenance which includes, but is not limited to planting trees, watering, fertilizing, flower bed arrangement, tree removal and other horticulture as needed.
  • Employee must perform mowing and turf maintenance as assigned, including operating mowers, weed whips, tractors, and small engine equipment.
  • Employee must perform athletic field maintenance tasks as assigned, including ballfield preps, painting field lines, and operating field maintenance equipment.
  • Employee must maintain the trails, which includes, but is not limited to debris removal, grading and renovation.
  • Employee must adhere to safety policies and procedures as outlined in the safety manual.
  • Employee must work snow shifts as assigned and operate snow removal equipment on District roads, parking lots, and sidewalks.
  • Employee is responsible for the operation and preventive maintenance of Park District vehicles, tractors, ground equipment, implements and ensuring it is performed and reported.
  • Employee must maintain a proactive approach to safety and risk management and perform all job tasks within the rules and guidelines of the Streamwood Park District's safety program and manual.
  • Employee is responsible for supervising part-time and seasonal staff by communicating job expectations, job training, coaching duties and responsibilities, performance evaluation, recognition, and discipline.
  • Employee must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.
  • Employee must demonstrate, lead, and support the Park District’s mission statement, vision and core values.
  • Employee must establish, support and maintain collaborative efforts with internal and external customers and organizations.
  • Employee must perform all other duties as assigned.
  
Secondary Duties & Responsibilities 
  • Employee is responsible for supervising part-time and seasonal employees for other duties including, but not limited to, recreation programs and special events as needed.
  • Employee must have the ability to accurately determine and perform minor mechanical repair needs, and estimate the time required to complete repairs.
  • Employee must be able to attend workshops and seminars pertaining to employee's position, as needed, for new ideas, developments and techniques.
  • Employee must assist with set up for recreation programs and special events as needed.
  • Employee may be required to work special events at night and on weekends.

     
Benefits
  • Health Insurance Coverage - Medical, Dental and Vision at employee paid premium of 80% / Employer paid premium of 20%
  • Life Insurance 2x Salary - Paid by Employer
  • IMRF eligible
  • Annual PTO:  10 Vacation Days, 3 Floating Holidays, 3 Personal Days, 12 Sick Days
  • Other benefits including Park Place Fitness Center or Aquatics Membership 
  • Discount on Facility Rentals

Job details

$18+/hour Depending on Qualifications
Open Until Filled
Streamwood Park District
Ian Pickett
ipickett@spdcares.com