Forester

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County provides opportunities for people to connect with nature. We offer to the public 60 forest preserves 175 miles of trails 47 miles of rivers and streams and 6 nature and cultural centers. We have 6 million visitors each year.

The Districts mission is to acquire and hold lands containing forests prairies wetlands and associated plant communities or lands capable of being restored to such natural conditions for the purpose of protecting and preserving the flora fauna and scenic beauty for the education pleasure and recreation of its citizens.

Job Summary

This position manages district trees and shrubs in order to provide safe and aesthetically pleasing areas for recreation and to promote natural area conservation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Apply best practices in nursery management including planting harvesting and plant health care.
• Maintain and operate equipment for clearing mowing invasive species control restoration planting and loading.
• Operate and perform minor repairs on tractors loaders skid steers equipped with bucket/grapple bucket attachments mulchers chainsaws and similar equipment.
• Perform tree removal storm damage cleanup pruning trimming and hazard assessments.
• Conduct turf restoration including soil prep grading seeding and erosion control.
• Assist with prescribed burns invasive species removal native plantings and tree inventories using GIS.
• Diagnose and treat arboricultural issues and apply insecticides or herbicides as needed.
• Assist with public relations events.
• Foster a working environment that promotes safe work habits; Become familiar with and observe all applicable safety rules policies and work procedures; Follow all safety rules that pertain to the duties performed and support all aspects of the districts safety and risk management program; Keep work area clean orderly and free of hazards; Immediately report all unsafe conditions and incidents.
• Maintain a supportive working environment and demonstrate a desire to exceed the expectations of internal and external customers.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements:

• 18 years of age or older at time of hire.
• Technical Certification programs less than two years 46 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education training and experience.
• Valid Drivers License in good standing.
• Illinois Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with tanker and airbrakes endorsement within (6) months of employment in good standing.
• ISA Arborist Certification within (1) year of employment.
• Illinois Department of Agriculture Pesticide Operators License within (6) months of employment.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) I100 S130 S190 S290 within (2) years of employment.
• Must have and maintain CPR AED and First Aid Certification within (6) months of employment(training provided).
• Knowledge of tree safety standards (ANSI) nursery management turf science and restoration concepts.
• Proficiency in operating and maintaining landscaping and arborist equipment.
• Strong understanding of native and invasive flora GPS/GIS use and recordkeeping.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining productive working relationships.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain accurate records and data.

Hours: Monday Friday 6:45 am 2:45 pm.

Starting Salary: $27.80 31.29 an hour.

Eligible for performance review and possible pay increases biannually.

Benefits: Medical (PPO and HMO plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield) Dental Vision Flexible Spending Account for Health and/or Dependent accounts Life Insurance Tuition Reimbursement 12 paid Holidays 12 paid Vacation Days 5 paid Personal Days 8 paid sick days Pension through Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) 457 Retirement Plan. Uniforms will be provided along with an annual safety boot and glasses allowance.

Additional Information: memberships recertification fees and training for CEUs are provided by the district for certified arborists. Work is completed in various preserves without returning to the shop bring lunch and water accordingly. Includes boot and safety glasses allowance. Uniforms and PPE are provided.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace built on a foundation of respect integrity teamwork and excellence. Our organization provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.