Job Information
City of Mishawaka Landscaping and Urban Forestry Assistant Director in Mishawaka, Indiana
POSITION: Landscape and Urban Forestry Assistant Director
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
SALARY: $1,840.43 Bi-Weekly
WORK SCHEDULE: As assigned
JOB CATEGORY: PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)
DATE WRITTEN: December 2024
STATUS: Full-time
DATE REVISED:
FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The City of Mishawaka provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.
This Assistant works directly with the Director of Landscape and Forestry to develop a daily work schedule, coordinate the related activities, and works alongside the staff specifically related to Park and Riverwalk related care. Training, supervision and reviewing of Landscape employees, along with supervision of landscape projects, and specific maintenance activities in our Park locations, fall under the Assistant Park Landscape Managers duties.
DUTIES:
General
Help with general planning, training, and organization of the Landscape Department specifically related to Park and Riverwalk care and upkeep
Assist with the hiring and training of new seasonal and part time staff
Attend to phone calls and emails related to Landscape activities
Fill in for the Landscape Manager when they are absent or engaged in other activities
Assist with Landscape Department Special Events when requested
Spring
Assist with the planning and implementation of our annual Arbor Day event put on with the Mishawaka Electric Department and School City of Mishawaka
Take part in our Adopt-a-Park program by helping organize and implement a wide variety of volunteer staffed park projects including planting, mulching, and cleaning typically through the months of March - May which will require weekends to be available
Arrange and plant annual flower displays at Community Park signs and at Mishawaka Riverwalk Parks with the assistance of seasonal workers
Help with the planning and implementation of our annual Keep Mishawaka Beautiful volunteer weekend event
Develop and facilitate Community Garden Classes for the general public with Department Director
Summer
Assist the Department Director with the daily maintenance of our Community Parks and Riverwalk by maintaining weed free flower beds, properly trimmed trees and shrubs, mulching, tree trimming, fertilizing, and planting projects
Independently manage a small landscape crew of up to 4 - 6 seasonal workers on an assigned summer maintenance route
Fall
Help with fall cleanup activities across all Municipal and Park Property
Assist with leaf cleanup in all major Parks and flower beds
Create fall planting displays at major Parks and Municipal signs
Assist with fall season volunteer groups
Winter
Assist with snow plowing at all Park owned buildings and parking lots, which may require weekend shifts
Assist with maintenance of all power equipment and hand tools including: power hedge sheers, blowers, mowers, chainsaws, hand tools and pruners, and general garden tools
Help with plant cuttings, pathogen related issues, and organization at the Mishawaka Education Foundation Community Greenhouse
Assist with the Landscape and Garden Club as needed or requests by Department Director
Annual and Perennial plant production for upcoming season and special projects Performs related duties as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
High school diploma or HSE with a college degree or certificate in horticulture, environmental science, or related field, and experience meeting bud etary goals preferred. Equivalent combination of experience, training, and education considered.
Ability to meet all hiring requirements including passage of a drug screening and background check.
Practical knowledge of plants, shrubs, trees, and flowers and related supplies and tools and ability to apply practices and procedures of landscaping and gardening.
Practical knowledge of and ability to make practical application of department safety policies and procedures and applicable OSHA safety policies and procedures.
Practical knowledge of Department programs and services, with strong time management, organizational, communication, and management/leadership skills.
Working knowledge of standard office policies and procedures with computer skills including word processing/spreadsheet/presentation/email/internet and Department-specific software/systems including GIS, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.
Working knowledge of basic filing systems and ability to create and maintain Department files and records.
Working knowledge of basic budgeting/bookkeeping/accounting practices with ability to count, perform arithmetic operations, and meet budgetary goals.
Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, with ability to prepare documents, correspondence, and detailed reports.
Ability to perform duties of Landscape and Urban Forestry Director in their absence.
Ability to supervise and direct assigned personnel, including analyzing human resource needs, reviewing documentation for newly created/significantly revised positions, interviewing candidates and making hiring decisions, providing orientation and training, planning/delegating/ controlling work assignments, establishing work goals, developing/mentoring/motivating staff, determining significant changes in responsibilities, evaluating performance, reviewing salaries, implementing personnel or corrective actions, keeping supervisor and subordinates informed of organization developments, maintaining discipline, and communicating and administering personnel programs and procedures.
Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other City/County/ State departments and agencies, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
Ability to plan/layout assigned work projects and apply knowledge of people and locations.
Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including telephone, computer, scanner, copier, and calculator.
Ability to operate and perform maintenance on various hand/power tools and light equipment including, but not limited to, gardening tools, snow plow, chainsaw, blowers, mowers, hedge trimmers, weed whips, hammer, screw drivers, wrenches, drills, hand saws, mop, broom, and other equipment as needed.
Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
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