Job Description
Seasonal Planting Laborer I Short Term - Greening the Gateway Cities
Taunton, MA
04/06/25 - 6/28/25
Who We Are:
The Department of Conversation & Recreation (DCR) is steward of one of the largest state parks systems in the country. Its 450,000 acres is made up of forests, parks, greenways, historic sites and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and watersheds. The DCR also oversees several swimming pools, wading pools, and spray decks.
Who We Serve:
Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to combine energy and environmental agencies under one Cabinet secretary. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) serves Commonwealth residents interested in outdoor recreational activities, clean energy solutions and those who work with animals and livestock. Equally, EOEEA works with energy consumers, power companies, clean energy providers and farmers to delicately balance the interaction with environmental protection laws and regulations while being a cornerstone for our economic prosperity.
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About the Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry: The Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry offers programs to promote, protect and enhance healthy and diverse wooded and urban forests throughout our Commonwealth including grant opportunities for urban forestry and volunteer fire assistance, staff assistance to municipalities for fire control, consulting forestry and forest stewardship for private lands, oversight of forest health issues including insect and disease control and storm related response, regulatory guidance on timber harvests as well as forest management and timber sales on state lands.
About the Greening the Gateway Cities Program: The Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP) is an Urban and Community Forestry program, celebrating its 11th Anniversary this year. The GGCP was created with the goal of increasing the number of trees planted in urban residential areas of Massachusetts Gateway Cities which tend to have lower tree canopy, older housing stock, higher wind speeds, and a larger renter population. The GGCP is designed to reduce household heating and cooling energy use by increasing tree canopy cover in environmental justice neighborhoods, while improving the aesthetic appearance of these neighborhoods and providing numerous other benefits that come with increasing the tree canopy.
There are many benefits to joining the GGCP team:
- Engage in urban forestry activities within the Commonwealth.
- Learn tree planting best practices from experienced GGCP Foresters.
- Gain invaluable communication skills engaging with stakeholders throughout your local community.
- Experience working in a state agency with diverse career opportunities.
- Accrue sick time.
- May be eligible for health insurance through MassHealth
Job Opening:
The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks applicants for the position of Seasonal Planting Laborer I-Greening the Gateway Cities Program to perform the following duties:
- The Seasonal Planting Laborer l will work outdoors in all types of weather and will perform various labor tasks in support of the GGCP effort to plant trees in Massachusetts's gateway cities to increase tree canopy cover for the purpose of reducing heating and cooling energy costs to residences and businesses.
- Seasonal staff dig and backfill tree planting holes with hand tools; plant trees according to industry standards; load and unload trees from vehicles and trailers; load and unload tools and equipment; maintain vehicles, tools and equipment.
- Performs preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and tools by washing, inspecting, tightening, lubricating and by sharpening edges on all cutting tools.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to work in a team setting.
- Manual dexterity.
- Physical stamina and endurance for full time, hard manual labor.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Willing to work in all weather conditions.
- Skill in using hand tools such as shovels, mattocks, pry bars, bolt cutters, clippers, etc.
This position will begin on or about April 6, 2025 and end on June 28, 2025.
The rate for this position is $17.00/hour or $1360/biweekly.
Applicants will have the potential to become a STS Laborer II with proven experience in driving a van and/or towing a trailer. The rate for the Laborer II position is $18.00/hour or $1440/biweekly.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINUMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: NONE
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.