Grounds Crew Aide - Lawn (Temporary)

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned nonprofit dedicated to protecting and growing trees locally and globally. We are seeking a Grounds Crew Aide to support the Lawn Crew. An aptitude for operating equipment is essential. You will perform duties associated with maintaining the high visitation and Collections areas of the grounds; including mowing, string trimming, backpack blowing, and litter pickup. You'll be part of a professional crew that works together to make the grounds look their best.

Position Summary: Perform duties associated with the care and maintenance of the lawn areas of the grounds, including mowing, string trimming, edging, leaf clean-up, and aeration.

Essential Functions:

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  Remove trash and other debris from all lawns ahead of mowing.

  
  
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  Mow and trim both fine and rough lawns. Remove grass clippings via a backpack blower from walks and roads after lawns are mowed.

  
  
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  Assess spring turf conditions, remove debris, and fill holes or depressions with soil and seed in routinely mowed areas.

  
  
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  Aerate designated lawns in spring and fall.

  
  
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  Remove fallen leaves from designated turf areas in fall.

  
  
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  Learn, understand, and demonstrate the ability to safely operate and maintain all motorized equipment according to the operator's manuals.

  
  
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  Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum's employee core values.

  
  
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  Other duties as assigned.

  
  

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Experience with lawn care desirable. Aptitude and experience with safely operating large equipment, such as trucks, tractors, and riding mowers. Skilled in using hand tools and operating small power equipment. Strong communication skills required. Must possess a valid driver's license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report.

Success Factors:

Ability and willingness to adapt to a wide variety of duties and responsibilities. Ability to perform labor requiring strength and endurance in all weather conditions. Ability to work independently or as part of a team. Ability to maintain focus during hours of repetitive tasks.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

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  Physical Demands: Requires significant amount of physical activity: some lifting and carrying (up to 50 lbs.), bending, pushing, pulling, standing, walking, and traveling by equipment and vehicles. Sense of vision in the normal range with or without correction. Sense of touch and the ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment required.

  
  

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  Work Environment: Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions. Exposure to loud or prolonged noise and/or vibrations.

  
  
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  Equipment: Lawn mowers (riding, stand-on, walk behind), tree maintenance equipment, backpack blower, aerator, string trimmer, edger, brush cutter, general gardening tools and equipment, utility vehicle, tractor, front-end loader, dump truck, pick-up truck, chipper, two-way radio, general office equipment.

  
  
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  Schedule: Must be able to work flexible hours due to weather conditions, including some evenings.

  
  

The hiring rate is $20.00/hour. This position is also eligible for acompetitive benefits package.

Employees who return in subsequent years are eligible for the following incentives:

Employees returning for a second year will receive $500 upon completion of 400hours of work, and $1,200 upon completion of 900 hours of work.

Employees returning for a third year and beyond will receive $800 upon completion of 400 hours of work, and $1,600 upon completion of 900 hours of work.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer- disability/veteran. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.