LandscapeGarden Worker II

Classification: Full Time

Department: Lake of the Woods Botanical Gardens

Work Location: Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve (Mahomet IL)

FLSA: Nonexempt

IMRF: Eligible

Pay: Grade 5; $20.33$29.45/hr full benefits package

Hours: Work hours are typically between the hours of 7:00am3:30pm MondayFriday unless otherwise scheduled. Some evenings weekends and holidays will be required.

Position Summary

The Landscape/Garden Worker II is responsible for performing a variety of duties related to the Botanical Gardens trails other landscaped areas and high visibility native spaces.

Supervisory Relationships

The Landscape/Garden Worker II reports to the Gardens and Trails Supervisor. This role may also supervise parttime or seasonal employees.

Job Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

Perform landscape maintenance activities such as mowing and bed care to botanical garden spaces and defined landscape beds throughout the preserves

Prune shrubs and trees using horticultural best practices

Mulch beds and utility spaces

Perform fall cleanups of beds as well as leaf management in turf and other hardscape areas as directed

Provide chemical or mechanical control of weeds including invasive species as appropriate

Perform trail maintenance including removal of fallen trees limbing up of branches and repair of uneven surfaces and erosion control

Install landscapes including planting trees shrubs ground covers annuals and bulbs; and hardscapes including all prep work

Greenhouse related tasks including potting watering and tending to various plants

Operate various grounds maintenance equipment such as zero turn mower edger string trimmer sprayer chainsaw and basic gardening hand tools

Load bulk materials with skid steer and/or loader tractor

Assists with maintenance of high visibility native areas including invasive removal timber stand improvement and restoration work

Clear snow and ice from sidewalks

Secondary Responsibilities

As part of rotation takes turn opening the forest preserves

Answer questions and assist the public during special events (such as rentals or weddings)

Assists in directing volunteers in areas managed by the Botanical Gardens or as directed

Support and participate in tasks projects and efforts of the Lake of the Woods Operations department as directed

Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED; a degree in horticulture natural resources botany or related field is a plus

Experience with or ability to learn the use and maintenance of tools of the trade both powered and nonpowered

Current Illinois Pesticide Applicator License or the ability to obtain within 6 months of employment

AED/CPR and First Aid certification or the ability to obtain within 12 months of employment

Skills and Abilities

Ability to understand and follow both verbal and written directions

Good communication skills and ability to maintain good working relationships with supervisors team members volunteers and the public

Strong ornamental native plant and tree identification preferred

Experience with and maintenance of garden ponds and pump systems preferred

Ability to work independently under general direction from the Site Superintendent or Gardens and Trails Supervisor to exercise judgment in the performance of duties and to identify or solve problems as they arise

Ability to represent the Forest Preserve in a professional manner and to maintain composure and selfcontrol in difficult situations

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed outdoors under various weather conditions including heat cold rain snow or ice. Duties will be performed in close proximity to the general public and the employee may have frequent interactions with patrons. While performing the duties of this position the employee may be exposed to hazardous flora and fauna (e.g. poison ivy wild parsnip biting/stinging insects ticks) and chemicals (e.g. cleaning supplies herbicides/pesticides and gasoline/oil). The employee may also be exposed to machinery with moving mechanical parts and high noise levels.

Normal duties may include stooping twisting climbing balancing kneeling crouching and crawling. Prolonged standing or walking often on unpaved/uneven terrain will be frequent. The employee may regularly handle grasp or feel objects; reach push or pull to reposition items; and may regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or may occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds using assistive devices or with assistance from other employees. Ability to talk and hear or otherwise effectively communicate with staff and patrons is required. Visual acuity necessary for this position includes close vision distance vision peripheral vision and depth perception.

Use of personal protective equipment will be required based on job specific tasks. This may include but is not limited to the following items:

Work boots

Protective gloves

Safety goggles or glasses

Chaps

Earplugs or ear covers

Reflective vest or hivis shirt

Respirators or masks

Helmets or hard hats

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described above are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.