With consistent direction and instruction from supervisor level position or higher, performs duties involving manual labor for the maintenance of all District properties and holdings including, but not limited to, operating and performing minor maintenance on a variety of vehicles, buildings, properties, and equipment such as grass mowers, and garbage trucks Work assignments can include using manual and power hand tools; performing janitorial duties; assisting in care of animals; and assisting and educating visitors as to the use of District facilities. May be required to apply various chemicals or pesticides. This is a full-time Union Local 700 position. Selected candidate must 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, Barrington, Calumet City, Lemont, Northbrook, Willow Springs, Orland Park and Lansing. (Laborers provide support to the Landscape Maintenance, Facilities and Fleet, Conservation and Experiential Programming (CEP) Departments).

Typical Duties

Responsible for grass cutting and trimming, maintaining multi-use trails, making minor parking lot repairs with cold patch and suppression of wildfires.

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.

Performs cleaning, and preparation of safe work sites, loading and unloading materials and equipment, and assembling and taking down scaffolding and / or temporary structures.

Performs snow removal and de-icing operations in parking lots, walkways, nature centers, campgrounds, recreational and other District facilities, and other areas as needed using snowplows, snow blowers and brushes, scrapers, shovels, salt spreaders, brine, and calcium salt applicators.

Assists skilled tradespeople in their duties, including support with the repair of facilities as instructed, using tools both to build and deconstruct building systems as directed, measuring, marking, and recording of dimensions where trades work will be performed, and provide safety support including, but not limited to monitoring work zones, using, and holding ladders.

Operates and may perform minor maintenance on a wide variety of District vehicles including, but not limited to small utility vehicles, riding mowers, garbage, and dump trucks, depending on the nature of the work assignment. Uses hand tools including, but not limited to rakes, shovels, wrenches, weed trimmers, edgers, sod cutters, pruning shears, hammers, sledgehammers, post pounders, screwdrivers, pliers, bolt cutters, litter picks, loppers, brooms, etc., depending on the nature of work assignment.

Empties trash receptacles and clears debris, illegal fly dumps, foliage, and dead animals by manual or mechanical means from District property as well as adjacent roadsides.

Removes debris and trash that may include discarded fishing line, hooks and other fishing related equipment from lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams, as directed.

Performs janitorial, up keep and general maintenance duties for all indoor and outdoor District property and holdings.

Assists in the maintenance and repair of all District property, including but not limited to, cleaning gutters, washing windows and doors, high dusting, and site clearing.

Assembles, repairs, moves, and retrieves property including, but not limited to, picnic tables, outdoor toilets, benches, canoes, kayaks, camping and other outdoor recreation equipment

Assists with the installation/removal of fences and signs, as well as painting and deployment of garbage receptacles.

Assists with tasks related to the installation and maintenance of plant beds and/or turf repair using landscaping equipment such as skid steer, grapple hook, sod-cutter, over-seeder, aerator, and edger.

Assists and educates visitors as to the proper and safe use of District facilities.

Assists in other District related duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, special events for public relations and awareness, leading work teams, and fire suppression.

May pick up and deliver parts and equipment to and from various locations throughout the District.

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

Assists in care of ambassador animals in nature centers.

Performs duties for distribution of supplies and materials between divisions, nature centers and other departments.

Assists visitors at nature centers which may include adults, children, schools, and community groups.

Provides support to various teams throughout the district as assigned including installing and retrieving signage.

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

Previous employment as a Seasonal Laborer with the Forest Preserve District and eligible for rehire OR possession of at least 1 season of work experience with the Forest Preserves of Cook County, OR at least 1 season of work experience as a Conservation Corp Crew member, OR at least 1 season of work experience on property of the Forest Preserves District of Cook County with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago, OR at least 1 season of work experience with other partners such as, Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Ability to work an 8.5-hour schedule that will typically occur during the hours of 5:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Ability to understand and follow District 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.

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, 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 the 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.

Benefits Package

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Basic Term Life Insurance

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:

http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED.

MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY OR ESTABLISH RESIDENCY IN COOK COUNTY WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT AND REMAIN A RESIDENT AT ALL TIMES DURING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT.

MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED AT THE TIME OF HIRE OR SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WITHIN ONE (1) WEEK OF START DATE.

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 bring 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.