Park District of Oak Park, IL – Horticulture Supervisor

$52,214.64 yearly plus benefit package.

Job Purpose
The Horticulture Supervisor oversees the daily maintenance of the Park Districts landscape beds and natural areas. Landscape operations include: performing maintenance such as weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, watering, and fall and spring cleanup. The Horticulture Supervisor assists in the design, organization, and scheduling of landscape area plantings to create healthy habitats. Additionally, operations include: hiring, training, scheduling, and leading the horticulture team in proper horticulture maintenance practices.

Essential Functions

In order to effectively perform the functions of this position, the Horticulture Supervisor shall assume the following responsibilities and associated duties:

A. Facility Management/Programming

Supervises ongoing maintenance of Park Districts landscape beds and natural areas with emphasis on the Park Districts Integrated Pest Management Policy to maintain a high level of presentation in public parks, creating healthy habitats
Leads the implementation of the Park District and Conservatory’s integrated pest management program including the acquisition, application, and monitoring of biological& chemical controls, and applicable record keeping
Assists in supervising the maintenance and upkeep of Conservatory gardens, showrooms, production greenhouses, and operations areas including technical, mechanical, and general upkeep
Supervises snow and ice removal at the Oak Park Conservatory, and other areas as assigned
Supervises and trains volunteers in our parks and at the Conservatory
Prepares and delivers workshops on horticultural topics based on background, expertise, education, and/or certification
Leads the implementation of special events and plants sales at the Conservatory as assigned
Supervises operations at the Conservatory as assigned
B. Communication/Coordination

Advises on management of the Park Districts landscaped & natural areas
Answers horticulture-related questions from the public based on background, expertise, education, and/or certification
Coordinates with Park District staff regarding horticultural operations at the Conservatory and parks and/or facilities
C. Planning/Control

Plans, selects, purchases, and maintains landscape materials & tools
Coordinates with the Greenhouse Supervisor and Director of Conservatory in planning, selecting, purchasing and growing plant material for the parks
Plans, designs, and supervises installation and maintenance of plant materials in the Park Districts landscape areas
Maintains daily production records that include maintenance performed in the landscape areas and all other appropriate production records
Maintains inventory and records for chemical storage room
D. Budget/Finance

Develops, tracks, and monitors budgets for Conservatory horticulture operations to ensure fiscal responsibility while meeting facility and Park District goals
Purchases, maintains, and inventories horticulture-related supplies and equipment within budgetary allowances
E. Employee Management

Trains, supervises, and assigns work to the Conservatory Technician, part-time and seasonal employees, and volunteers
Supervises and uses, operates, and maintains horticultural tools and equipment
Supervises and evaluates job performance of assigned staff on a continual basis and takes immediate action to recognize achievements and correct/address deficiencies or problems
Completes written performance evaluations of supervised employees as required
Acts as a leader and nurtures a work culture that promotes open, frequent, and dynamic communication and promotes teamwork to accomplish goals and objectives
Becomes familiar with the personnel policies and manual of the Park District in order to facilitate routine day-to-day human resource matters
F. Risk Management

Completes accident and incident reports in a timely manner
Promotes an environment of safe work habits and active participation in the Park Districts risk management and safety programs
Maintains a complete actionable understanding of the Park Districts emergency action plans (EAPs); acts as a leader (as assigned) in the execution of EAPs when required
Additional Functions

Collaborates with Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON) as assigned
Plans and participates in Conservatory and Park District special projects, programs, and activities
Performs committee work as assigned
Performs other tasks as assigned
Knowledge, Skill and Work Experience

Required:

Bachelors Degree (4 years) in Horticulture or related field, and a minimum of three (3) years experience as a horticulturist or landscape maintenance supervisor, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Broad knowledge of & ability to identify ornamental and native herbaceous and woody plant material.
Landscape design experience
Knowledge of principles and implementation of integrated pest management
Ability to operate medium and light horticultural machinery
Supervisory experience
Must possess a valid drivers license. This position requires a pre-employment drug test and is part of a random drug/alcohol testing program.
Ability to maintain multiple projects in a dynamic environment
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
Strong sense of self-motivation and independent work habits
Ability to organize, prioritize, and problem solve
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, use of multi-line phone system, and photocopier/fax/scanner
Valid Illinois Pesticide Applicators license or ability to obtain within 3 months of employment
Certification in advanced Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within 3 months of employment
Physical fitness and strength to lift up to 50 pounds without accommodation and 100 pounds with accommodation
Recommended:

Experience working with seasonal staff and volunteers
Experience working with the public and non-profit organizations
Work Environment, Physical Demands and Considerations

Frequently Sitting, walking, standing, reaching
Occasionally Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling
Strength Work requires digging and handling heavy weight (up to 100lbs.) materials or equipment
Will be exposed to chemicals such as cleaning materials, acids, glues, chlorine, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
Will be exposed to inclement weather including extreme heat, sun, humidity, cold, rain, snow, ice, and wind
Will include computer use
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required as it pertains to the particular job duty, including: safety goggles, glasses, face shields, steel tip work boots, protective rubber or leather gloves, hard hat, paint spray respirator, protective suits and outer wear, and back brace
Some exposure to noise, dust, fumes, elevation, and confined spaces
Ability to present ideas and recommendations in a concise verbal and written manner
Ability to maintain effective audio-visual and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating assigned equipment
Math skills including measuring, calculating, and estimating
Ability to interpret and explain Park District and department policies, practices, and procedures
Demonstrated safety awareness and judgment in all aspects of responsibility
Customers:

Internal: Park District staff, Board of Park Commissioners, FOPCON
External: Patrons of Conservatory and Park District, residents of Oak Park, WSSRA, partner organizations including governmental and non-profit groups, and the Oak Park business community