Parks Supervisor

The Parks Supervisor oversees the daily operations, maintenance, and improvements of all parks, athletic fields, playgrounds, and natural areas within the Prospect Heights Park District boundaries. This position supervises staff, schedules work assignments, and ensures that all tasks are performed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with district standards and applicable regulations. This is a full-time, non-exempt position averaging 40 hours per week. May require occasional evenings and weekends for special events, holidays, emergencies, or seasonal needs.

The Parks Supervisor will report directly to the Superintendent of Parks & Facilities.

Supervision Exercised:

The Parks Supervisor supervises full-time, part-time and seasonal parks staff.

Must exercise sound judgment when prioritizing tasks, responding to emergencies, or resolving conflicts. Supervisors are expected to make timely decisions under pressure and lead by example. Responsible for supervising a diverse team of full-time and seasonal employees, which may require handling interpersonal conflicts, provide corrective feedback, and maintain a positive team environment. Balancing administrative duties (e.g., scheduling, budgeting, reporting) with field responsibilities requires the ability to organize time efficiently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Must be able to respond professionally and calmly to inquiries or complaints from residents, patrons, and community stakeholders—even in stressful or emotionally charged situations. Expected to maintain a high level of integrity, responsibility, and reliability. The Supervisor must enforce safety standards and ensure quality work, which may create periods of high-performance pressure. May be called upon to respond to storm damage, park incidents, vandalism, or safety issues outside of regular work hours, requiring mental readiness and emotional resilience. Must remain flexible and positive in the face of unexpected changes, such as staff shortages, inclement weather, or shifting priorities.

 

Regularly lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds independently and occasionally up to 75 pounds with assistance, such as tools, equipment, bags of materials, and supplies. Work for extended periods while standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing ladders, or operating machinery and vehicles. Use hands and fingers to handle tools, operate controls, perform maintenance tasks, and manipulate small parts or components with precision. Safely operate heavy equipment and navigate uneven or slippery terrain, including trails, slopes, and construction areas. Maintain sufficient vision (corrected if necessary) and hearing to safely operate vehicles and equipment, perform inspections, and recognize safety hazards or alarms. Work may involve extended hours during peak seasons, including weekends, evenings, or emergency responses, which may result in physical fatigue. Ability to stay alert and perform consistently under such conditions is essential. Must maintain physical performance and hydration while working outdoors in varying Illinois weather conditions, including extreme heat, humidity, cold, snow, and rain.

 

Frequent exposure to extreme weather conditions such as heat, cold, rain, snow, humidity, and wind. Work is performed year-round in outdoor settings. Work involves navigating uneven terrain, natural areas, athletic fields, playgrounds, and construction sites. Tasks may be performed on hillsides, near water bodies, or in wooded environments. Exposure to loud machinery and tools such as mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and tractors. Hearing protection is required. Occasional exposure to cleaning products, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Proper PPE and adherence to safety standards required. Potential exposure to insects (ticks, mosquitoes, bees), plants (poison ivy, invasive species), and animal waste. Supervisors must train staff in proper identification and safety protocols. Work may occasionally involve exposure to dust, fumes, smoke from equipment, or allergens from trees, grasses, or mulch.

Use basic math and measurement skills for budgeting, ordering materials, interpreting blueprints or site plans, and tracking work order data. Comfortable using Microsoft Office, GPS systems, and cell phones and handheld radios for communication and task tracking. Must be able to read and interpret technical manuals, safety regulations, and written instructions, and convey information clearly and effectively to staff, contractors, and the public. Required to observe and evaluate park conditions, equipment performance, and staff work, ensuring that all tasks meet safety and quality standards. Must manage schedules, prioritize daily tasks, coordinate seasonal projects, and adjust resources to meet deadlines while maintaining operational continuity. Must retain and apply knowledge of safety protocols, district policies, equipment procedures, seasonal maintenance schedules, and past incidents for future decision-making. Consistently evaluate potentially hazardous situations (e.g., weather events, damaged equipment, chemical applications) and take appropriate action to protect staff and the public.

To apply please visit: https://phparks.org/employment