Hinsdale, IL – Forestry and Grounds Superintendent – open due to upcoming retirement!

POSITION:                                                    Forestry and Grounds Superintendent

DATE:                                                            March 10, 2026

DEPARTMENT:                                           Public Services

REPORTS TO:                                              Public Services Director

PAY GRADE (POSITION RANGE):         M105, $97,227 – $149,696 (effective 5/1/25 – 4/30/26)

FLSA STATUS:                                           Exempt

Starting salary:                                           Dependent upon experience and qualifications within the range noted above.

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Position Purpose

Manages and coordinates the Village’s forestry and grounds programs, including park grounds, rights-of-way, and Village facilities and streetscapes.

 

Supervision Exercised

Supervises Public Services Crew Workers assigned to perform forestry and grounds maintenance work.
Supervises contracts to complete forestry and grounds maintenance work.
Coordinates work assignments and schedules; monitors performance, productivity, and safety compliance.

Job Duties

Essential Functions:

1.    Develops and manages all Village forestry policies and practices, including but not limited to tree pruning, tree removal, tree planting, tree protection, and disease and pest management.

2.    Supervises personnel assigned to perform forestry and grounds work. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Village policies, procedures, and applicable laws. Provides training and instruction; coordinates work; maintains work standards; evaluates performance; and administers appropriate performance counseling and disciplinary actions. Ensures maintenance of high customer service standards.

3.    Supervises athletic fields and park amenities, including layout, line striping, infield grooming, and goal and net maintenance.

4.    Trains staff in the care of trees, grounds maintenance, horticulture practices, and equipment.

5.    Develops forestry, grounds, and horticulture policies, methods, and standard operating procedures. Maintains forestry/grounds records and prepares reports on program operations and performance metrics.

6.    Develops and manages Village horticulture and landscape maintenance practices, including but not limited to landscape and floral planning/design, landscape and floral maintenance, irrigation oversight, and pest control.

7.    Plans, schedules, and oversees forestry operations including tree removals, pruning, stump removal coordination, and debris/brush management; evaluates when Village-wide brush pick-up is warranted following storm events.

8.    Coordinates the Village’s tree planting program: identifies planting sites, develops annual planting lists to match site requirements, secures tree supply, and oversees planting operations.

9.    Administers key tree preservation programs (e.g., Dutch elm disease and emerald ash borer): conducts surveys/assessments; confirms diagnoses as appropriate; schedules removals; coordinates injection/treatment programs; and issues resident notifications/letters when required.

10. Reviews and comments on Tree Preservation Plans as part of building permit applications; collaborates with Engineering and other departments to implement tree preservation practices during construction, roadway, and utility improvement projects.

11. Conducts and maintains inventories, inspections, and surveys of parkway and public trees (and, as requested, assessments on private property): identifies species, condition, structure, hazards, and pest/disease issues; provides recommended care options and resources to residents.

12. Manages grounds maintenance and landscape maintenance contracts for parks, rights-of-way greenspaces, rain gardens, and other Village properties; prepares bid specifications/bid packets; assists with procurement and contract administration; monitors contractor performance and compliance with contract parameters.

13. Provides oversight of general grounds maintenance programs including turf maintenance (aeration, seeding, weed control, irrigation maintenance/repair), playground inspections and maintenance, prairie maintenance (including prescribed burns and weeding), and maintenance of picnic pavilions, park bathrooms, tennis courts, volleyball courts and the ice rink.

14. Develops seasonal and special project scopes and RFPs (e.g., spring/fall clean-up, mulching, annual and bulb programs, and streetscape/central business district planters and landscape beds) and oversees implementation through the season.

15. Assists Parks and Recreation with special event operations and community programs (e.g., Arbor Day, Parks Clean-Up Day, Independence Day, Fall Fest), including site preparation and restoration.

16. Responds to inquiries and complaints, responds to emergencies and weather related events and resolves service requests.

17. Manages contracts with vendors that provide forestry and grounds services.

18. Assists with the development and administration of the annual forestry and grounds budgets, including forecasting, staffing, materials, equipment, and contracted services.

19. Provides technical assistance to Hinsdale homeowners on forestry or horticulture and grounds related issues. Prepares public information items and makes presentations on related issues.

20. Works with other Village departments on forestry and grounds related issues.

21. Prepares Integrated Pest Management Report. Manages all pesticide and herbicide use and disposal. Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations.

22. Attends public meetings as required. May make presentations on forestry and grounds related issues.

23. Conducts a Village tree survey on a regular basis and maintains the Village inventory of public trees.

24. Operates all tools and equipment needed to perform job duties while adhering to all safety rules and practices. Ensures adherence to safety standards by subordinate personnel. Reports all accidents and injuries according to Village policy and procedure. Completes all accident and worker’s compensation forms as required.

 

Marginal Functions

Assists with snow and ice removal operations from streets, sidewalks, parking areas, and other Village property, as assigned.
Supervises and/or assists with special event operations.
Performs semi-skilled and unskilled labor tasks as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Environmental Factors

The work environment includes an office setting and outdoor field work. The noise level is occasionally loud. The incumbent is subject to inclement weather conditions; working in high vehicle traffic areas; working near moving mechanical parts; high levels of noise for extended periods; and exposure to chemicals, fumes, dust, and disagreeable odors.

 

Physical Requirements

Occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk and hear.  Frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  May lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth and the ability to adjust focus.  Occasionally works at heights/depths of 75 feet above or below ground.

 

Safety Functions

Becomes familiar with and observes all applicable safety and security policies/procedures.
Immediately reports all unsafe conditions and acts to supervisor.
Reports all accidents to supervisor immediately.
Recommends improvements to safety and security practices.
Obeys and adheres to all safety rules and work practices.
Complete all accident and worker’s compensation forms as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1.    Knowledge of proper forestry techniques including pruning, tree removal, planting, identification and selection, disease management and pest control.

2.    Knowledge of proper horticulture techniques and operations.

3.    Knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding forestry and grounds maintenance issues and chemical use and disposal.

4.    Ability to provide supervision. Ability to persuade, convince and train others. Ability to advise and provide interpretation regarding the application of policies, procedures and standards to subordinate personnel.

5.    Ability to maintain accurate records and inventories of forestry and grounds operations, including inspections, treatments, removals, plantings, and contract performance.

6.    Frequent contact with other Village staff, outside contractors and residents; must occasionally make presentations; must be able to communicate verbally and demonstrate good customer relations.

7.    Frequently prepares written reports and public-facing communications; must be able to communicate clearly in writing.

8.    Ability to learn, understand and adhere to all applicable safety precautions and procedures.

9.    Skill in use of tools and equipment used in forestry and grounds maintenance work.

10. Ability to plan and prioritize work across multiple sites and seasons; respond to emergencies and storm events; and exercise sound judgment regarding public safety and risk management

 

Position Requirements

1.    Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Forestry, Horticulture or related field. Five to seven years of progressively responsible operations experience; including at least two years in a supervisory capacity or an equivalent combination of experience and training.

2.    Completion of International Society of Arboriculture – Arborist Certification required.

3.    Illinois Class B CDL required within 6 months of hire.

4.    Must be available for emergency call-in duty.

5.    Moderate computer skills required (e.g., email, spreadsheets, work order/asset systems, and basic data tracking).

 

Benefits

This position participates in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Full benefits are included in this position, including medical, dental and life insurance coverage effective upon the first day of employment.

 

Process

The selection process includes an application, interview process, drug screening and background check. The position is expected to be filled immediately upon conclusion of the interview process and after background checks are completed.

 

Interested candidates should submit an application, resume and a cover letter to hr@villageofhinsdale.org.  This method is preferred.

 

Alternatively, an application, cover letter and resume can be mailed to the Village of Hinsdale, Village Manager’s Office, Attn: Human Resources, 19 E. Chicago Avenue, Hinsdale, IL 60521, e-mail: Visit www.villageofhinsdale.org/jobs for a job application. The Village is an EOE employer.

 

 

 

For more information, contact:

Tracy McLaughlin
tmclaughlin@villageofhinsdale.org
630-247-6364