Environmental Resources & Parks Foreman (Public Works)

Environmental And Maintenance Management Foreman

This position is responsible for developing, managing and coordinating the implementation of the County's environmental and maintenance management policies as they relate to County assets (i.e. parks and grounds), as well as ensuring the County's compliance with all environmental regulations. Additionally, this position will manage the County Solid Waste Operations, Hazardous Material Management and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Programs for Walworth County Public Works Department. This is a working foreman position with approximately 60% if time spent performing and supervising field operations alongside crew members, and approximately 40% dedicated to planning, compliance, administrative, and coordination activities.

Supervision duties occur both in the field and in office settings, consistent with the 60/40 field-to-office responsibility split.

Days: Monday - Friday

Work Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., hours may shift in peek season to 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Hours Per Shift: 8

Shifts Per Pay Period: 10

Position FTE: 1.00 full-time, hourly non-exempt

Field Operations – approximately 60%

• Actively participate in daily field operations, working alongside grounds and parks crews in mowing, trimming, landscaping, and general maintenance of county properties.
• Assign, direct, and work with field crews performing planting, fertilizing, trimming, weed control, and repair of grounds, flower beds, trees, shrubs, and turf.
• Operate hand tools, small engines, and motorized equipment while performing field maintenance tasks.
• Supervise and participate in snow and ice removal operations across county grounds, parks, and trails, including on-call winter rotation.
• Oversee and assist contracted labor and county crews in grounds repairs and maintenance activities.
• Develop and lead field-based programs, such as leave removal, composting, vector hazard mitigation, and herbicide/pesticide application activities.
• Recommend operational improvements, environmental initiatives, and project needs to management.
• Ensure safe work practices during field operations and maintain assigned equipment.
• Work overtime as required, including on-call winter schedule from October 15th through April 15th.

Office, Planning, and Administrative Responsibilities – approximately 40%

• Plan, schedule, and coordinate daily seasonal field operations, including staff assignment and resource allocation.
• Manage environmental planning, permitting, procurement, and compliance activities related to parks, solid waste, hazardous materials, and stormwater programs.
• Assist in development and staff training, environmental education programs, and regulatory compliance guidance.
• Perform recordkeeping, reporting, work order management, and labor hour approvals through the asset management system.
• Prepare and maintain operational documentation, reports, and environmental program records.
• Provide input on budget development, including operating and capital improvement planning.
• Serve as primary liaison with partner agencies, vendors, and community groups, including development of Memorandums of Understanding, when required.
• Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and County policies regarding the proper performance of the position (i.e. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services).
• Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Associates degree or education equivalent to a two-year degree with two years of prior relevant technical and facilitation experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Political Science or Management preferred. Prior supervisory experience preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid driver's license required. Class A or B commercial driver's license preferred.

Must wear steel toe safety shoes. Employee in this position will receive a $100 annual stipend for the purchase of safety shoes per Walworth County Ordinance Section 15-394.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Analytical—the individual synthesizes sometimes complex and diverse information. Ability to read blueprints, interpret standard drawings and specifications, survey notes, maps and reports.

Knowledge—the individual understands office procedures, methods and equipment including personal computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Mechanical---the individual can perform small engine repair and maintenance as well as the ability to operate weed/string trimmers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, tractors, lawn sweepers, snow blowers, snow plows, power washers, tractors and a variety of small hand tools.

Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans section work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans with management and outside agencies.

Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.

Oral communication—the individual speaks clearly and concisely in positive or negative situations. Ability to respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.

Quality management—the individual looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Safety-the individual understands safe work practices and methods.

Written communication-the individual writes clearly and concisely.

Interactions and Communications

Responds to requests and initiates contacts to exchange general and sometimes complex information with others.

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions that are within general procedures and protocols. These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or work unit within the department and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision making process.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges and problems in this position are typically diverse and complex, relating to broad operating policies for facilities owned by the County, and are typically covered by precedent or established practice.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job work will often be performed outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions or inside amid normal conditions of humidity, fumes, odors, chemicals, and dust. Office oriented work often entails spending considerable amounts of time at a computer terminal. Work may involve exposure to motor vehicle and chemical fumes, as well as pollen, weeds and other airborne allergens. Noise levels may require shouting in order to be heard. Work requires a considerable amount of driving and some weekend and evening hours.

The physical demands 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 the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; and sit. The employee is frequently required to climb, bend, stoop, squat and/or kneel sit, climb or balance, talk or hear, and taste or smell and occasionally reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Selection Process

Formal Walworth County Electronic Application

Education & Experience Review

Oral Department Interview

Reference Check

Background Check

Driver's License Verification

Post Offer Physical Examination

Drug Screen

Other job related tests may be required.