Landscape/Garden Worker II

Champaign County Forest Preserve District; Minnesota; On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Champaign County Forest Preserve District is seeking a Landscape/Garden Worker II for Lake of the Woods Botanical Gardens in Illinois. The role performs landscape maintenance, pruning, mulch, and seasonal care across gardens and trails, with output to high-visibility native spaces.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a full benefits package. Responsibilities include operating grounds equipment, assisting with pond and pump systems, and supporting seasonal staff and volunteers.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; horticulture/natural resources degree a plus.
• Experience with or ability to learn use and maintenance of tools, both powered and non-powered.
• Valid State of Illinois Class D Driver’s License (Class C preferred) and 18+ at start date.
• Current Illinois Pesticide Applicator License or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• AED/CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Perform landscape maintenance in botanical gardens, trails, and landscaped spaces.
• Prune shrubs and trees using horticultural best practices.
• Mulch beds and utility spaces; perform fall cleanups and leaf management.
• Control weeds and invasive species; assist with trail maintenance and erosion control.
• Install landscapes, plant trees, shrubs, ground covers, annuals and bulbs; manage hardscapes.

Skills

Follow instructions

Communication skills

Independence

Professional demeanor

Education

High school diploma or GED

Degree in horticulture or related field a plus

Tools

Pesticide applicator license

Valid IL Driver's License

Job description

Description

Classification: Full Time

Department: Lake of the Woods Botanical Gardens

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

FLSA: Non-exempt

IMRF: Eligible

Pay: Grade 5; $21.36-$26.15/hr + full benefits package

Hours: Work hours are typically between the hours of 7:00am-3:30pm Monday-Friday 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 part-time 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, 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
• Install and recover holiday lights and accessories
• Clear snow and ice from sidewalks

Secondary Responsibilities

• As a backup to Operations staff, 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 non-powered
• Valid State of Illinois Class D Driver’s License (Class C preferred) and 18 years of age at time of start date
• 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
  • ArcGIS experience preferred
  • Strong chainsaw and tree felling experience 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 Preserves in a professional manner and to maintain composure and self-control 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. Working from heights on a ladder or in a lift is required.

  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 hi-vis 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.

  This job description is intended to describe the general content of and requirement for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Changes, including additional duties, may be assigned at any time.