JOB TITLE:

General Foreman – Parks & Forestry Division

Hourly, FLSA Non-Exempt – Non-Union

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:

Department of Public Works

JOB SUMMARY:

The City of Oak Park is seeking a motivated General Foreman to oversee our Parks & Forestry Division!

This position is responsible for supervising, planning, organizing, coordinating, and participating with employees engaged in general work activities of a municipal public works department. Some of the primary functions of the Parks & Forestry-specific General Foreman will be that he/she must provide planning, labor, and administrative support for the City's Parks & Forestry Division. His/Her duties will also include the maintenance and removal of municipal trees and well as the maintenance of our parks and landscaping. Additionally, the duties include the coordination of emergency work as needed.

Some other essential job duties of all General Foreman include, but are not limited to, the repair and maintenance of streets, alleys, sewers, sidewalks and signs; the installation, replacement, the removal of snow and ice during the winter; the maintenance of municipal buildings, removal and maintenance of trees, city landscaping, and other public green space; and lastly, to supervise and perform other related work as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish and enforce operating procedures and work standards that will ensure adequate performance and personnel safety.
• Supervise and inspect completed work to ensure conformance to standard operating policies and procedures.
• Direct and schedule work for crews depending on work priorities, crew and equipment availability, and weather conditions.
• Monitor work of crew to ensure instructions are followed, deadlines are met and schedules are maintained.
• Confer with other DPW management personnel to ensure work is coordinated and completed.
• Train new and current employees in various aspects of duties of Public Service Worker.
• Evaluate employees work performance, and discipline union employees in accordance with proper personnel policies and procedures.
• Prepare and review records and reports on work, materials and equipment.
• Supervise snow and ice removal activities as required, and determine materials needs.
• Supervise the fabrication, erection and repair of street and traffic signs.
• Supervise the painting of streets, curbs, post and parking lots.
• Supervise and participate in the installation, repair and maintenance of the water distribution system.
• Supervise and participate in the maintenance of the City grounds.
• Supervise and participate in the repair and maintenance of the City's sewer system.
• Supervise and participate in the maintenance of the street system.
• Supervise and participate in the City's tree maintenance and removal program.
• Perform other related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of the operation and maintenance requirements of a variety of automotive and power-driven equipment and tools used in the municipal public works department.
• Reasonable knowledge of the methods, materials and equipment used in the street, sidewalk, curb and gutter construction, maintenance, and repair work.
• Reasonable knowledge of the methods, materials and equipment used in maintain, repairing and installing of a city's water and sewer service.
• Reasonable knowledge of the maintenance and servicing of municipal parks, landscaping and public green space.
• Reasonable knowledge of snow and ice removal techniques and the operations of equipment to accomplish such tasks.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources, leadership techniques, production methods and the supervision and coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of computers and use of office computer software to generate letters, and reports.
• Skill in prioritizing and time management.
• Skill in active listening, public speaking, dealing with internal and external customers.
• Skill in critical thinking, and problem solving.
• Ability to communicate clearly, and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of walking, bending lifting things over 25lbs, driving, working, in conditions beyond a normal eight-hour regular work day, working in confined spaces, ability to respond in a timely manner to emergencies within the city at all times.
• Ability to work overtime on weeknights, weekends and on holidays as required, and ability to perform other physical work that is expected as part of the duties of a municipal public works department

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) test
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience or more, working in a municipal public works department, or closely related field in a similar private or public sector organization.
• Must have CDL with Tanker and Air Brake Endorsements

PREFERRED:

• Associate's Degree or higher in Horticulture or Agriculture.
• Pesticide License
• Arborist Certification
• Horticulture Certification

SALARY RANGE:

This is a full-time, non-union position with an hourly rate of $26.44 - $36.05 hourly ($55,000.00 - $75,000.00 annually), depending on qualifications, with benefits.

BENEFITS:

A comprehensive benefits package is available and includes healthcare, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement and section 125 plan.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, and crouch. The employee must typically lift and/or move items of up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works outdoors, and is exposed to grease, human waste, rain water, sewage, oil, fumes, chemicals, dust, noxious gases, and general water and sewer-related work. Work is typically performed outdoors in cold, hot, or inclement weather. The noise level in the work environment is louder than that of an office setting, and the employee will be exposed to sounds of equipment regularly.

As a General Foreman, the employee must be on call at all times, work beyond the typical eight-hour shift, work holidays, evenings, and weekends, and have the ability to respond to emergency calls throughout the night.

The typical schedule is Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, with every other Friday off.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS/DISCLAIMERS:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties of an employee so classified.

Employees must be physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The City of Oak Park does not discriminate in its employment or any other programs or activities on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, economic status, age, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability, if requested.