JOB DESCRIPTION – Effective Date: 09/2026      

Position Title: Parks & Trees Supervisor

Department: Parks & Trees

Supervisor: Alec Ellsworth, Parks & Trees Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Grade #: 6

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE POSITION:  

Are you interested in a meaningful career that is active, mostly outside, community-based, and has a lot of variety? Join our small and wonderful team at Montpelier Parks & Trees! Our department of 4 full-time staff members oversees 500+ acres of public lands, 25+ miles of year-round trails, and about 5,000 street trees throughout Montpelier. We also run programs such as seasonal events, a Youth Conservation Corps, and a community farm.

The Parks Supervisor should expect to work closely with the small team of staff on project-based tasks, manage some projects/programs independently, write and speak on behalf of the department, supervise seasonal staff and volunteers, and occasionally be called upon to fill in for the Parks Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The following is a list of roles that the Parks Supervisor will take a lead on, as well as support roles that the Parks Supervisor can expect to engage in regularly. 

• Crew Leading
  • Lead crews on general projects such as facility maintenance, trail building, tool maintenance, project management, etc.
  • Work with other staff to accomplish park duties and projects such as daily rounds, small parks maintenance, mowing, trail grooming, trail building, carpentry, stone work, etc.
• Program Coordination
  • Montpelier Youth Conservation Corps (MYCC)
    • Fundraise and project plan for Summer crews (MYCC and others)
    • Advertise for, onboard, and lead Summer crews
  • Events
    • Coordinate planning, logistics, volunteers and day-of operations for events including Enchanted Forest, Ice on Fire, and Parkapalooza
  • Feast Farm
    • Fundraise and plan for operations of the Feast Farm --- our Community Farm that is part of the MYCC Program and provides food for Meals on Wheels and the Food Pantry.
    • Direct early season (pre-farm manager) farm tasks.
    • Liaison with the farm manager during the farm season.
    • Liaison with community partners including MSAC, Just Basics, MHS, Community Gardens, etc.
• Communications and Development
  • Work together with the Parks Director to research and apply for grants.
  • Implement and report on successfully awarded grants.
  • Work with the Parks Director to manage the parks web page and social media accounts.
• Volunteer Coordination & Engagement
  • Develop and maintain an organized volunteer engagement program.
  • Coordinate volunteers for Enchanted Forest, Ice on Fire, Parkapalooza, and other park events.
  • Apply for and coordinate organized volunteer groups such as NCCC AmeriCorps, Volunteers For Peace, etc.
• Support Roles
  • Perform general tree-related duties and be part of a regular tree crew, including such tasks as pruning, dragging brush, chipping wood, splitting wood, felling trees, flagging, ground work, etc.
  • Fill in for the Parks Director to pay bills, approve timesheets, manage projects, or other duties as needed.
  • Respond to City-wide emergencies (i.e. flooding) as outlined in Montpelier’s emergency management plan.
  • Other duties as assigned.

ENVIRONMENT:

• The schedule is generally 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday-Friday.
• Seasonal events require occasional weekend and after-hours duties --- 1 weekend in October, 1 weekend in February, 6-8 weeknight evenings in July/August.
• All staff are on a rotation for weekend rounds (2 hrs. on Saturday and Sunday) once every 4 weekends.
• The seasonal nature of this job requires working outside in all types of weather.
• This position requires considerable contact with the public.
• This position has specific roles in the City’s Emergency Management Plan, including disaster preparedness and coordinating volunteers and donations during disaster relief operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

These are core parts of the job that will be important for all candidates:

• Work closely and collaborate with a small team of 4-6 people daily.
• Flexibility around managing priorities and schedules.
• Complete projects on a timeline with defined deadlines and expectations.
• Willing and able to work full days outside in a wide variety of weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.
• Capable of sustained strenuous physical activity, lifting of heavy objects, use of hand tools, etc.
• Follow safety plans and prioritize safe work practices.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills.
• Willing to respond on-call to emergencies such as natural disasters, snowstorms, ice storms, etc.
• Serve as a teacher, role model, and mentor for youth groups, job trainees, and volunteers
• Communicate effectively with the public and be a positive representative of the Parks and Trees Department and the City of Montpelier.
• Handle challenging situations tactfully and respectfully (rule enforcement, unruly behavior, vandalism, after-hours activities).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

While not required, the following examples of work experience would be helpful in this role. Any candidate we hire will receive on-the-job training in all of these skills. 

• Professional trail building experience including trail building and maintenance with machines and hand tools.
• Project management experience coordinating contractors, materials, timelines, and project budgets.
• Experience leading youth crews, volunteer groups and other work crews.
• Professional trade experience including carpentry, landscaping, excavator operation, tractor operation.
• Professional tree care experience including pruning, removals, planting, nursery work, ground work, climbing, bucket truck work, etc.
• Experience writing and managing grants.
• Experience planning events and coordinating day-of-event activities.
• Develop and manage programming, with a focus on community involvement and affordability.
• Strong computer skills.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

• This job requires the ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• This job requires the ability to see, whether naturally or with vision correction tools (glasses, contacts).
• This job requires the ability to hear, whether naturally or with hearing correction tools (hearing aid) in order to communicate with co-worker/supervisors/customers and to troubleshoot improper functioning of machinery/engines.
• Must have the ability to be on your feet regularly and use hands, arms, and legs repeatedly on the job.
• Work occasionally occurs in confined areas.

Primary Physical Requirements

• Lift up to 10 lbs.: Performed frequently
• Lift 11 t0 25 lbs.: Performed frequently
• Lift 26 to 50 lbs.: Performed frequently
• Lift over 50 lbs.: Occasionally performed
• Carry up to 10 lbs.: Performed frequently
• Carry 11 to 25 lbs.: Performed frequently
• Carry 25 to 50 lbs.: Occasionally performed
• Carry over 50 lbs.: Occasionally performed
• Reach above shoulder height: Occasionally performed
• Reach at shoulder height: Performed frequently
• Reach below shoulder height: Performed frequently

Other Physical Requirements

• Twisting: Performed frequently
• Bending: Performed frequently
• Crawling: Occasionally performed
• Squatting: Performed frequently
• Kneeling: Performed frequently
• Crouching: Performed frequently
• Climbing: Occasionally performed
• Balancing: At heights up to 6’ from ground level

Work Surfaces

• Reach above shoulder height: Occasionally performed
• Reach at shoulder height: Performed frequently
• Reach below shoulder height: Performed frequently

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.