Parks Laborer

The City of Onalaska is seeking to hire a fulltime Parks Laborer in the Parks & Recreation department. The Parks Laborer is responsible for the comprehensive maintenance repair and improvement of city parks and recreational facilities ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for the community. This role encompasses a wide range of tasks including landscaping facility maintenance forestry duties aquatic system operation and snow removal all performed under the direction of the Parks Manager. By utilizing a variety of skills and equipment the Parks Laborer contributes to the preservation and enhancement of park assets ultimately supporting the communitys access to quality recreational spaces.

• Maintainsareasofparksandrecreationalfacilitiesincludingbutnotlimitedtomowingirrigatingcleaningand generallandscaping.
• Performs regular maintenance responsibilities at park facilities with regard to the heating/cooling systems and minor electrical and plumbing repairs; repairs assists with the restoration and/or construction of existing or new park and recreational facilities.
• Performs a variety of custodial tasks typical of public buildings and facilities.
• Performs regular forestry duties typical of parks and recreation departments to include invasive plant management and eradication.
• Operates and maintains the recirculation filtration chlorination and heating systems at the Aquatic Center to ensure proper water quality.
• Preparesandmaintainsathleticfieldsforvariousrecreationprograms.
• Assists in the training of seasonal/parttime employees in tasks or in the use of equipment; and may actas ateamleaderon departmentalprojects.
• Performs preventive maintenance and inspections to park equipment and vehicles.
• Constructs assembles repairs installs and renovates park facilities including buildings pavilions restrooms playgrounds skate parks fences signs picnic tables benches trails steps ramps guard posts and rails etc.
• Performstheseasonalstartupandwinterizationofparksandrecreationalfacilities.
• Perform snow and ice control and removal procedures including plowing sanding spreading deicing chemicals loading trucks hauling snow shoveling sidewalks or maintenance of snow removal equipment; including the operation of large equipment for prolonged periods of time at various hours of the day. Snow removal operations may be scheduled or on an emergency call in basis.
• Answerquestionsregardingparksandfacilitiesandinformusersofparkrulesandregulations.
• Contributes to a cooperative working effort by demonstrating a willingness to perform other jobrelated work as needed or interdependency of operations is recognized and theabilities and skills exist to do other work as needed or is given to others andspecialprojectscompletedas scheduled or requested.
• Other duties as requested or assigned.

Compensation and Benefits:The July 2025 starting wage for this nonexempt position is $25.00 per hour (grade 4 step 1) through $28.09 per hour (grade 6 step 1) depending on qualifications.

The City offers competitive benefits to include health and dental insurance effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment. For 2025 health insurance the most affordable area plan offered is the Quartz West Plan with premiums at $115.44 per month for a single plan or $283.53 per month for a family plan. There is no deductible or coinsurance amount for the health insurance plan. Dental insurance is through Delta Dental and premiums are paid 100% by the City. The position qualifies for automatic enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System (pension plan) providing a lifetime payment once vested and upon eligible retirement. Additionally the City offers several voluntary benefits such as vision flexible spending life insurance disability insurance deferred compensation critical illness cancer and accident insurance. Paid sick leave holidays and vacation. Access to an employee assistance program (EAP). The City of Onalaska is a qualifying employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Federal Program.

To Apply: To be considered for this excellent opportunity submit an online employment application by accessing Application accepted until filled with a first review of applications May 19th 2025. For additional information please contact:

City of Onalaska Human Resources City Hall (1st Floor)

415 Main Street Onalaska WI 54650

Phone:ext. 260 or 261

Email: or

Additional Information:Selected candidate subject to background screening postoffer/preemployment drug screen and physical. EOE/Drug Free Workplace.

Associate Degree in landscape or turf management forestry horticulture or related field or Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool Operator Certification and experience working in parks landscape or related field. Certified Playground Safety Inspector Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Certifications preferred. Position subject to 24hourcallout as needed. Valid drivers license with good driving record.

In addition progress to higher wage (grade 5) with Bachelors Degree in recreation management turf management forestry horticulture or related field or Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool Operator Certification and (15) years of municipal park and recreation experience. In addition to the above progress to higher wage (grade 6) with (20) years of municipal park and recreation experience.