SEASONAL LABORER

Performs duties involving manual labor which are related to the physical maintenance of District properties, facilities, equipment, and holdings. Responsible for a variety of tasks, utilizing a wide range of skills depending on areas of assignment and season-Winter-Spring-Summer-Fall, including the use and operation of District vehicles that includes pick-up truck and dump trucks, pulling trailers with riding mowers, water pumpers, pressure washers, gas and battery powered equipment and snow removal equipment. Provides customer service. at sledding hills and other recreational areas. Performs grass cutting and trimming, janitorial duties, ground keeping, maintenance, landscaping, set-up of events and permit areas, and removal of roadside debris and illegal dumps. Performs other duties as required or assigned. This is a union- Local 700 position. Selected candidate must be able to work at least 3 months but no more than 6 months and be able to provide their own transportation to work including, but not limited to, the following locations in Cook County: Chicago, Elgin, Maywood, Niles, North Riverside, Palos Hills, River Forest, Rolling Meadows, Willow Springs, Orland Park and Lansing in the Landscape Maintenance, Facilities and Fleet, Conservation and Experiential Programming (CEP) Departments.

Typical Duties

Provides labor for the maintenance of District property including, but not limited to groves, picnic areas, trails, nature centers, golf facilities, winter sport facilities and aquatic facilities.

Operates and may perform minor maintenance on a wide variety of District vehicles and equipment including, but not limited to small utility vehicles, riding mowers, plow vehicles, snow blowers and salt spreaders, garbage, and dump trucks, gas and battery powered hand tools, pressure washers, and pumpers.

Uses hand tools including, but not limited to rakes, shovels, scrapers, wrenches, line trimmers, edgers, sod cutters, pruning shears, pole saws, hammers, sledgehammers, post pounders, screwdrivers, pliers, bolt cutters, litter picks, loppers, brooms, etc.

Prepares and maintains landscaping by performing tasks including, but not limited to, plant removal and installation, transplanting, pruning, cutting, mulching, aerating, weeding, edging, trimming, watering, and installation of gravel paths with use of hand tools and mechanical equipment such as sod-cutters, over-seeders, and edgers.

Removes leaves, snow, grass, trash, dead animals, and other debris by manual, mechanical or vehicular means from District property as well as adjacent roadsides.

Performs janitorial duties for all indoor and outdoor District property, facilities, and holdings.

Assists in the maintenance and repair of all District property and holdings, including, but not limited to, picnic tables, outdoor toilets, benches, signs, and fences.

Provides customer service, assists and educates District patrons as to the proper and safe use of District facilities.

Assists in the application of various cleaning products and/or herbicides used in maintenance of District property.

Assists in the maintenance of pool recreational areas.

Responsible for timely submission of accurate and legible pre-trip and work log paperwork.

Assists in care of animals in nature centers as well as those present on District property as specified, depending on the nature of work assignment.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a high school diploma, GED, or higher.

Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application.

Must possess a valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications

Possess at least 2 years of full-time professional landscape or janitorial experience; OR previous employment as a Seasonal Laborer with the Forest Preserve District and eligible for rehire OR at least 1 season of work experience as a Conservation Corp Crew member, Green Corp crew member, or Friends of the Forest Preserves crew member.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Must be available for 8.5 hours scheduled shifts that will typically occur between the hours of 5:00a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Ability to understand and follow District and Department policies, procedures, and protocols.

Ability to learn and work within the District’s boundaries.

Ability to obtain a National Safety Council 1st Aid, CPR, AED certificate and Defensive Driving certificate, which must be renewed every two years.

Familiarity with/and the ability to use various handheld and power tools including, but not limited to, hammers, post hole diggers and chain saws, etc.

Skill in operating heavy and light equipment and vehicles including, but not limited to, trucks, trailers, tractors, manually propelled lawn mowers, riding mowers, line trimmers, snow blowers, riding blowers and backpack blowers.

Ability to perform manual labor of a physical and janitorial nature.

Ability to lift at least 50 pounds.

Ability to work in various seasonal weather conditions.

Ability to work a wide variety of work shifts and days.

Ability to assist in the safe use and application of chemicals used in maintaining District property.

Ability to assist in a variety of tasks associated with the care of native display animals.

Ability to interact with the public, including, but not limited to, children and others from a variety of diverse backgrounds in a courteous manner.

Ability to learn new application techniques in lawn care and forestry.

Ability to function as a team member in a field labor force.

Ability to follow instructions.

Ability to provide instruction and guidance to volunteers and others as required.

Ability to work from various locations throughout the District when assigned.

Ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels, including senior managers.

Ability to interact and communicate with the general public as a representative of the District.

Ability and willingness to work in an outdoor environment, including but not limited to exposure to herbicides, natural elements, inclement weather, hazardous plants, and animals.

This position requires various types of physical exertion including, but not limited to climbing, lifting, pulling, pushing, and moving objects of moderate to heavy weight.

Ability to work in a variety of locations throughout Cook County.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Veteran’s Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering Yes to the question “Are you a military veteran?”

Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, the one with the most recent date should be submitted. Coast Guard members must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).

Provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES WILL BE.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each brings to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.