CITY OF ELKHART – JOB DESCRIPTION DEPARTMENT | Public Buildings & Grounds | POSITION | Laborer- Forestry | DIVISION | Forestry | STATUS | Full-time | CATEGORY | Hourly, AFSCME PG-6 ($25.16) | FLSA | Non-exempt | REPORTS TO | Public Buildings & Grounds Department Head | DATE | 2026 | | JOB SUMMARY | The Forestry Laborer supports the maintenance and preservation of City-owned landscapes and public grounds, focusing primarily on tree care and vegetation management. This position operates a variety of machinery and equipment, ensures safe work practices, and contributes to the upkeep and visual appeal of the community. | | PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES | - Operates department vehicles, trucks, tractors, and equipment safely and efficiently.
- Uses power tools including string trimmers, blowers, edgers, chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, and related forestry equipment.
- Performs trimming, pruning, and removal of trees and vegetation within rights-of-way and City parks.
- Directs and manages traffic at job sites to ensure crew safety and minimal disruption.
- Assists with or leads alley and brush crews, depending on assignment.
- Available 24/7 in case of an emergency
| | OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES | - Inspects, cleans, and maintains tools and equipment to ensure safe operation.
- Performs other related tasks as assigned by the City Forester or Department Head.
- May be assigned to snow removal
| | EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE | - High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Prior experience in forestry, groundskeeping preferred.
| | KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES | • Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to follow safety protocols.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment. | | PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND VISUAL SKILLS | - Solve practical problem with a variety of variables and limited standardization.
- Ability to perform arithmetic calculations involving fractions, decimals, and percentages.
- Ability to carry out detailed written and verbal instructions independently.
- Good mechanical aptitude.
- Body agility is emphasized using feet, legs, hands, arms, and body.
- Maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling, the amount of and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary maintenance of body equilibrium.
- Ability to work at heights in excess of 50 feet above the ground.
- Position requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force frequently, lifting and moving objects up to and in excess of 200 pounds.
- Position requires above normal lifting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, grasping, and upper body and back muscle exertion.
- Vision requirements ( with or without correction ): clear vision at arm’s length and distances up to 100 feet. Excellent depth perception and ability to observe up or down, to the right and left while eyes are fixed on a given point.
| | WORKING CONDITIONS | This is an outdoor position requiring year-round exposure to varying weather conditions, including extreme heat (95°F+) and cold (-10°F). Incumbents are exposed to dirt, dust, snow, rain, noise, vibration from machinery, and potential hazards such as chemicals and electrical shock. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn as required by City safety standards and OSHA regulations. | | POST OFFER TESTING REQUIREMENTS | - The City of Elkhart is a Drug Free Workplace. Therefore, successfully passing a post offer drug screen is required (random drug testing may be conducted after employment).
- Background checks producing acceptable BMV and criminal history reports required.
| | | POLICY STATEMENT | - The incumbent is required to possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and the physical, mental, and visual skills described in this job description to perform the principal duties, responsibilities and essential job functions.
- This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. Principal duties and responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job and “other” duties and responsibilities include those that are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of this job.
- This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employee holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the Mayor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.
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