SUMMARY

The Natural Areas Support Worker assists with the establishment and ongoing maintenance of Park District natural areas. Typical work week is 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday with typical season beginning in April and lasting through September to potentially continue into the winter months. However, work week hours may vary according to weather or seasonal demand. Some overtime hours on the weekend during peak season are required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 18 years of age
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License with clean driving record
• Current Illinois Pesticide Operator’s License preferred
• Ability to operate and maintain vehicles, power equipment, and hand tools as listed under “Essential Functions”
• Demonstrated ability to understand and work from written and oral instructions
• POSITIVE “CAN DO” TEAM ATTITUDE

SUPERVISION

The Natural Areas Support Worker reports directly to the Ground Supervisor, but will receive daily job function tasks and supervision from the Natural Areas Coordinator

TRAINING – CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH CHAMPAIGN PARK DISTRICT

• Blood borne pathogen training
• First Aid and CPR Certification
• Anyone who will be driving a Champaign Park District vehicle will need to complete and pass a driving test from one of our certified Champaign Park District trainers
• Facility training

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows all Park District safety policies and performs work in a manner that ensures the safety of the public, fellow employees, and themselves
• Attend required training and meetings
• Operate and maintain all tools, equipment and vehicles in a safe and efficient manner to ensure safety for staff and patrons
• Assists with the establishment, assessment, and maintenance of Park District natural areas
• Assists with the monitoring and control of invasive species
• Observe the Park District landscape, features, and facilities and report problems to the appropriate supervisor
• Become familiar with Park District ordinances and inform supervisor of violations witnessed
• Interact with fellow employees and the public in a positive manner
• Inform supervisor of job progress and/or problems in a timely fashion
• Make purchases within limits of District and departmental policies
• Assist with training and supervision of seasonal staff as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Must be able to work well with others as a team member
• Must be able to interact with the public in a positive manner

PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The activities required to fulfill the duties of this position are significantly physical in nature.

These activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Bending/Kneeling
  • Planting and removing vegetative material
• Lifting/Carrying
  • Up to 50 lbs alone and over 50 lbs with assistance, if needed, to handle plant material, load or unload equipment, etc.
• Handwork
  • Operation of power equipment (e.g. tillers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, drills, etc.) and hand tools (e.g. trowels, pruners, shovels, rakes, etc.) all require repetitious gripping and controlling motions
• Twisting
  • Examples listed above
• Climbing
  • Mount/dismount equipment or vehicles, ladder work, etc.
• Push/Pull
  • Raking, moving or operating equipment, rope starting small engines, winding and unwinding hoses from reels, etc.
• Laying
  • May be required to lay on the ground
• Standing
  • May be required to stand for long periods of time
• Sitting
  • While operating equipment and vehicles over rough terrain for extended periods of time
• Equipment Operation
  • May be required to operate various types of equipment and tools

The above examples of activities and work are not all inclusive but are intended as an indication of the level and type of endeavors necessary to fulfill the duties of this position

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Work activities, including the physiological considerations, may occur in outside weather conditions including extremes of heat, cold, wet, and dry and may also occur on rough or inclined terrain
• Exposure is likely to chemicals and/or vegetative irritants (poison ivy, ragweed, wild parsnip, hemlock, etc.)
• Exposure is likely to airborne pollens, dusts, or molds
• Any one of these endeavors may occur for an entire workday or for several workdays in a row

COGNITIVE CONSIDERATIONS

• Must be willing and able to improve knowledge and skills in major areas of horticultural responsibility: floriculture, landscaping, and sign work
• Must be able to assess situations and develop solutions to problems