Seasonal Trails and Restoration Professional

The Seasonal Trails and Restoration Professional will work in City parks, street ends, and open spaces performing a variety of tasks including trail construction and maintenance, tree maintenance, plant installation and maintenance, and invasive plant control. Employees will be provided on-the-job training in field ecology, restoration practices, and trail work, as well as opportunities to pursue some professional certifications. Some weekend work is required. This position reports to the Parks Operations Manager and the Natural Resources Project Manager. 

This is a seasonal position with a six (6) month term running from 4/28/2025 to 10/30/2025

Join Us at the City of Mercer Island Seasonal Hiring Fair! Meet hiring managers, interview on-site, and even receive a same-day job offer for one of our 10 seasonal Public Works positions. Stop by Saturday, February 22 or Tuesday, February 25 at the Mercer Island Community & Event Center to learn more—RSVP encouraged!Work independently and with full-time Park Maintenance Team Members to perform routine tasks in City parks, including:

• Visually inspect trails and perform repairs and routine maintenance including brushing, laying gravel, creating, and repairing drainage systems, and building steps in accordance with City plans and specifications, and generally accepted practices. 
• Construct trails according to approved plans and specifications, and generally accepted practices. 
• Support and possibly work with a wide variety of volunteer groups on restoration and trail projects. 
• Proper use of hand tools and motorized equipment. 
• Navigate off-trail in forested backcountry settings to evaluate plant cover and conduct invasive plant control. 
• Planting and plant materials handling. 
• Weeding, watering, and other horticultural activities. 
• Herbicide application (spraying, swabbing, and injection). 
• Small engine maintenance and troubleshooting. 
• Light construction and carpentry projects. 
• All work must ensure safety, integrity, cleanliness, and aesthetic appeal, as well as meet customer needs and City standards.
• Other duties as assigned. 

• High school education or equivalent. 
• 1-year minimum experience as a natural resources professional or related position. Must be able to reference prior employment. 
• Possess good verbal communication skills (active listening and feedback) as well as effective interpersonal and customer relation skills are essential in a team environment.  
• Basic writing skills are required, along with the ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations. 
• Regional native and invasive plant identification. 
• Must provide and wear steel-toed safety boots.
• Must have regular and predictable work attendance to fulfill the essential functions of the job.  
• Working familiarity with the tools and techniques associated with trail work and restoration. 
• Must be self-motivated and have a positive attitude. 
• Ability to use a smart phone or tablet. 
• Ability to practice safety by wearing appropriate protective clothing, using safety equipment, and follow good housekeeping and safety procedures. 
• Ability to safely back-up a trailer. 
• Ability to work occasional weekends. 
• Provide excellent customer service to Park users. 
• Able to work well with others, stay on task, and take direction from supervisors. 
• This is a NON-SMOKING, and DRUG FREE POSITION. 

Licensure/Certification 

• Valid WA State Driver’s License with a driving record free from frequent or serious violations. A three (3) year driving record abstract must be submitted prior to hire.  
• Current First Aid and CPR certifications desired. 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT: 

Various types of tools and equipment are used including, but not limited to line trimmer, power hedger, various hand tools, leaf blower, backpack sprayer, wheelbarrow, utility vehicles, 3-wheel ballfield rake, and tractor. 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES: 

Seasonal employees’ risk physical hazards from working in forests and other remote locations, around traffic, heavy machinery, and heights. Exposure to noise, vibration, hazardous and toxic materials is routine. Work requires physical strength and agility necessary to perform heavy manual labor under all kinds of weather conditions. Work activities include combinations of sitting, standing, and walking and the ability to lift and carry 50 pounds as required. Seasonal employees must be able to see, hear and smell in order to detect problems and be responsive to their own safety, as well as that of fellow employee. Seasonal employees must follow appropriate safety procedures and use of protective clothing and equipment including, steel-toed shoes and boots (must provide own steel-toed boots/shoes), hard hats, eye/ear protection, rain gear, gloves, traffic control equipment.  

Public Works Teams operate in a smoke and drug free work environment for their health, safety, and productivity, as well as that of their customers.  

Salary : $21 - $25