Greenhouse/Horticultural Center Maintenance I

FLSA Classification: Full Time, Non-Exempt AFSCME

Salary Range: $27.44/hr

Benefits: A generous benefits package including medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and life insurance, pension (IMRF) plan, paid time off including vacation, sick and holiday pay, employee assistance program, fitness center membership and discounted facility and program costs.

Reports to: Event Manager and Head Horticulturist

Date: April 2025

Summary

The Greenhouse Maintenance I is responsible for general maintenance inside and outside grounds of the Bird Haven Greenhouse and Horticultural Center. This position requires the ability to work inside a greenhouse setting and outside in a variety of weather conditions. Mainly watering and care of indoor and outdoor plants, keeping outside grounds manicured and clean, assisting with setup and breakdown of chairs and tables during special events (wedding ceremonies, memorials, bridal/baby showers, classes, etc.) This position requires good communication with the public about the facility/events to visitors. In addition, must have good time management skills and be able to complete the necessary daily and weekly tasks unsupervised.

Essential Duties

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties.

• Performs tasks to keep Greenhouse and grounds/Horticultural Center in orderly, neat, and clean conditions to include: mowing, edging, mulching, leaf blowing, pressure-washing, pruning of trees and bushes, weeding, clearing and disposing of debris/trash on property, propagating, planting trees/bushes/flowers during designated times.
• Watering and fertilizing plants inside the Greenhouse and outside grounds when necessary.
• Basic repairs and maintenance inside Greenhouse and Horticultural Center grounds (cleaning/replacing pond filters, etc).
• Assisting with chair and table setup and breakdown before and after events.
• Communicating with the public/visitors, answering basic questions regarding the property, events or directing to the appropriate party.
• Assist with planting indoors/outdoors during designated times of the year.
• Assist with seasonal plant and decoration installs and plant sales.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper use of tools and power equipment used.
• Inspects equipment and facilities, and recommends repair or replacement action to supervisor.
• Must have good time management skills and be able to complete the necessary daily/weekly tasks unsupervised.
• Repairs and patches parking lots, sidewalks and curbs.
• Operates manual and motorized equipment, including but not limited to, air hammers and compressors.
• Performs minor maintenance and custodial work on equipment and facilities, including patching and painting, changing light bulbs, assembling light furniture, etc.
• Position uses some skilled tools such as hammer, screw driver, wrenches, and drills.
• Installs and replaces signs and park equipment.
• Makes visual and operational check of equipment and performs minor maintenance on equipment as needed or reports maintenance concerns to the appropriate technician.
• Snow removal on Greenhouse and Horticultural Center grounds

Hours

This is a full-time, union position. Position will rotate days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled. Hours are 8am-4:30pm as scheduled.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in extreme varying weather conditions both inside the greenhouse and outside with occasional work in poor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow. Employee works near moving mechanical parts and equipment and works with a variety of power and hand tools including riding mower, weed whip, leaf blower, tiller, hedger, drill, shovel, rake, garden hoe, gardening shears/pruners, golf cart and other garden/grounds related hand tools.

Employee frequently works in situations and is exposed to fumes, airborne particles, and other hazards and elements associated with construction sites. The noise level within the employee’s work environment frequently exceeds the normal decibel levels. The Park District provides safety equipment for these situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move 100 pounds with help, withstand heights and occasional strenuous physical work. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Education and Experience

A high school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is required

Minimum 3 months related experience with plant care in a greenhouse or nursery setting preferred

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Must be fluent in written and spoken English
• Basic knowledge/experience in landscaping/grounds maintenance
• Basic technology familiarity and ability to learn greenhouse control systems and run transactions on a card reader
• Must be able to work independently/unsupervised
• Valid Illinois driver’s license
• CPR and AED certification or ability to obtain within 30 days

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

The Joliet Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee.