Trails and Restoration Team Leader

The Seasonal Trails and Restoration Team Leader will work in City parks, street ends, and open spaces performing and directing crew members in a variety of tasks including trail construction and maintenance, tree maintenance, plant installation and maintenance, invasive plant control, and other landscaping and park maintenance tasks as assigned. All work must ensure safety, integrity, cleanliness, and aesthetic appeal, as well as meet customer needs and City standards. 

Some weekend work may be required. This is a full-time, seasonal position for a 9-month term with partial benefits. 

Start date: as soon as possible 

Must have WSDA Pesticide License.

This position reports to the Natural Resources Program Manager and Parks Operations Manager.

Essential Job Functions

Work independently and with full-time Park Maintenance Team Members to perform routine tasks in City parks, including:

• Must be able to work independently and on a team.
• Make field decisions about project execution and task prioritization.
• Coordinate scheduling and project material needs with supervisor.
• Visually inspect trails and perform repairs and routine maintenance including brushing, laying gravel, creating, and repairing drainage systems, and building steps in accordance with City plans and specifications, and generally accepted practices.
• Construct trails according to approved plans and specifications, and generally accepted practices.
• Navigate off-trail in forested backcountry settings to evaluate plant cover and conduct invasive plant control.
• Planting and plant materials handling.
• Weeding, watering, and other horticultural activities.
• Herbicide application (spraying, swabbing, and injection).
• Thorough work tracking, documentation, and note-taking for restoration and trails projects.
• Train and work with crew employees to carry out duties.
• Lead 2-3 member seasonal crew in trail maintenance and habitat restoration tasks, including delegating work and managing crew time effectively.
• Support and possibly work with a wide variety of volunteer groups on restoration and trail projects.
• Properly use hand tools and motorized equipment.
• Install, repair, and maintain irrigation systems.
• Small engine maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Light construction and carpentry projects.
• Provide excellent customer service to Park users.
• Must have regular and predictable work attendance to fulfill the essential functions of the job.
• Ability to drive a city vehicle and operate equipment, have a good driving record, and current and valid Washington state driver’s license.
• Ability to work well with others, stay on task, and take direction from supervisors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements

• WSDA Pesticide license public operator or ability to obtain within 8 weeks of hiring.
• At least 1 year of professional experience in trail maintenance, trail building, and habitat restoration.
• Must be able to reference prior employment.
• Ability to assess site conditions and estimate the scope of work for various sites based on the program’s goals and objectives.
• Ability to apply a working knowledge of best management practices to various field situations to achieve the scope of work.
• Working familiarity with the tools and techniques associated with trail work and restoration.
• Regional native and invasive plant identification.
• High school education or equivalent.
• Must be self-motivated and have a positive attitude.
• Record of excellent work attendance.
• Good verbal communication skills (listening, giving feedback and speaking up), as well as effective interpersonal and customer relation skills are essential in a team environment.
• Basic writing skills, along with the ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations.
• Ability to use a smartphone or tablet.
• Ability to practice safety by wearing appropriate protective clothing, using safety equipment, and following good housekeeping and safety procedures.
• Ability to safely back up a trailer.
• This is a NON-SMOKING, and DRUG-FREE POSITION.
• Must be punctual.

OTHER CITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to drive a City vehicle, possess a current and valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. Evidence of a good driving record is a condition of employment and a complete driving abstract will be required.
• Completion of a Nationwide and Washington State criminal history background check is required in order to determine any past conviction history of crimes against persons, sexual assault, or exploitation, and sexual or physical abuse and must be able to pass a thorough background check as required by the Child/Adult Abuse Information Act.
• Completion of an I-9 Form, documenting eligibility to work in the United States.

Working Conditions & Physical Abilities

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

Various types of tools and equipment are used, including, but not limited to, a Power wheelbarrow, chainsaw, line trimmer, power hedger, grip hoist, various hand tools, a leaf blower, a backpack sprayer, and traffic control devices.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

Seasonal employees risk physical hazards from working in forests and other remote locations, around traffic, heavy machinery, and heights. Exposure to noise, vibration, and hazardous and toxic materials is routine. Work requires the physical strength and agility necessary to perform heavy manual labor under all kinds of weather conditions. Work activities include combinations of sitting, standing, and walking and the ability to lift and carry 50 pounds as required. Seasonal employees must be able to see, hear, and smell in order to detect problems and be responsive to their own safety, as well as that of fellow employees. Seasonal employees must follow appropriate safety procedures and use of protective clothing and equipment including, steel-toed shoes and boots (must provide own steel-toed boots/shoes), hard hats, eye/ear protection, rain gear, gloves, and traffic control equipment. 

Maintenance teams operate in a smoke and drug-free work environment for their health, safety, and productivity, as well as that of their customers.

The City of Mercer Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity at all levels of our workforce and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment by recruiting talented individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status.