The City of Onalaska is seeking to hire a full-time Parks Laborer in the Parks & Recreation department. Â The Parks Laborer is responsible for the comprehensive maintenance, repair, and improvement of city parks and recreational facilities, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for the community. This role encompasses a wide range of tasks, including landscaping, facility maintenance, forestry duties, aquatic system operation, and snow removal, all performed under the direction of the Parks Manager. By utilizing a variety of skills and equipment, the Parks Laborer contributes to the preservation and enhancement of park assets, ultimately supporting the community's access to quality recreational spaces.
Essential Job Functions
- Maintains areas of parks and recreational facilities, including but not limited to mowing, irrigating, cleaning, and general landscaping.
- Performs regular maintenance responsibilities at park facilities with regard to the heating/cooling systems     and minor electrical and plumbing repairs; repairs, assists with the restoration and/or construction of existing or new park and recreational facilities.
- Performs a variety of custodial tasks typical of public buildings and facilities.Â
- Performs regular forestry duties typical of parks and recreation departments to include invasive plant management and eradication.Â
- Operates and maintains the recirculation, filtration, chlorination, and heating systems at the Aquatic Center to ensure proper water quality.
- Prepares and maintains athletic fields for various recreation programs.
- Assists in the training of seasonal/part-time employees in tasks or in the use of equipment; and may act as a team leader on departmental projects.
- Performs preventive maintenance and inspections to park equipment and vehicles.Â
- Constructs, assembles, repairs, installs and renovates park facilities including buildings, pavilions, restrooms, playgrounds, skate parks, fences, signs, picnic tables, benches, trails, steps, ramps, guard posts and rails, etc.
- Performs the seasonal start-up and winterization of parks and recreational facilities.
- Perform snow and ice control and removal procedures, including plowing, sanding, spreading deicing chemicals, loading trucks, hauling snow, shoveling sidewalks, or maintenance of snow removal equipment; including the operation of large equipment for prolonged periods of time at various hours of the day. Snow removal operations may be scheduled or on an emergency call in basis.
- Answer questions regarding parks and facilities and inform users of park rules and regulations.
- Contributes to a cooperative working effort by demonstrating a willingness to perform other job- related work, as needed or requested. The interdependency of operations is recognized and the abilities and skills exist to do other work as needed or requested. Assistance is given to others and special projects completed as scheduled or requested.
- Other duties as requested or assigned.
Compensation and Benefits:Â The July 2025 starting wage for this non-exempt position is $25.00 per hour (grade 4, step 1) through $28.09 per hour (grade 6, step 1), depending on qualifications.Â
The City offers competitive benefits to include health and dental insurance effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment. Â For 2025 health insurance, the most affordable area plan offered is the Quartz West Plan with premiums at $115.44 per month for a single plan or $283.53 per month for a family plan. There is no deductible or co-insurance amount for the health insurance plan. Â Dental insurance is through Delta Dental and premiums are paid 100% by the City. Â The position qualifies for automatic enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System (pension plan) providing a lifetime payment once vested and upon eligible retirement. Â Additionally, the City offers several voluntary benefits such as vision, flexible spending, life insurance, disability insurance, deferred compensation, critical illness, cancer and accident insurance. Â Paid sick leave, holidays and vacation. Â Access to an employee assistance program (EAP). Â The City of Onalaska is a qualifying employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Federal Program.
To Apply:Â To be considered for this excellent opportunity, submit an online employment application by accessing https://cityofonalaska.com/jobs. Â Application accepted until filled with a first review of applications May 19th, 2025. For additional information please contact:
City of Onalaska Human Resources - City Hall (1st Floor)
415 Main Street, Onalaska WI Â 54650
Phone: 608-781-9530 ext. 260 or 261Â
Email: Â afrandsen@onalaskawi.gov or jkinstler@onalaskawi.gov
Additional Information:Â Selected candidate subject to background screening, post-offer/pre-employment drug screen and physical. Â EOE/Drug Free Workplace.
Associate Degree in landscape or turf management, forestry, horticulture or related field or Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool Operator Certification and experience working in parks landscape or related field. Â Certified Playground Safety Inspector, Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Certifications preferred. Position subject to 24-hourcall-out as needed. Valid drivers' license with good driving record.
In addition, progress to higher wage (grade 5) with Bachelor's Degree in recreation management, turf management, forestry, horticulture or related field or Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool Operator Certification and (15) years of municipal park and recreation experience. Â In addition to the above, progress to higher wage (grade 6), with (20) years of municipal park and recreation experience.Â
