Description

This posting is to fill two vacancies – one focused in horticulture and another in irrigation. 

Definition: 
Assist in planning the maintenance of community parks, neighborhood parks, athletic fields, municipal grounds, trailheads, trails and greenways, and arterial right-of-way landscaping.  Perform a wide variety of tasks related to equipment operation, grounds/turf maintenance, construction and repair of City Parks and associated facilities.

Principal Duties:
This is an advanced career level core parks maintenance position within the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Division that requires a diversity of knowledge and worker flexibility in the areas of parks operations and maintenance. The work emphasis for this position is to work independently or in teams, and to occasionally lead projects, and assist Department supervisors and managers with training, and achieving strategic goals and objectives. Employees are expected to collaborate directly with supervisors in the operation and maintenance of the related infrastructure including staff training, project planning, project management, liaison to other Divisions, and contractor/vendor coordination. Persons in these positions are expected to have a broad organizational perspective and may represent the work unit, division or department as opportunities occur. In addition to routine, core work assignments, employees are expected to demonstrate diverse skill sets and take on flexible work assignments. Training will be provided as needed to develop diverse skills and knowledge. On-call will be assigned as needed.

Non-Technical:

•          Service Oriented, Positive Attitude, Helpful.
•          Trustworthy, Adheres to Ethics & Regulations.
•          Collaborative, Team Oriented, Interacts Respectfully.
•          Productive, Takes Initiative, Meets Deadlines, Achieves Results.
•          Safe & Manages Risks to Minimize Incidents.
•          Build effective working relationships with co-workers, and communicate and collaborate with contractors, vendors, and customers.
•          Critically analyze operations and equipment performance and implement effective responses.
•          Work with staff in other Divisions to deliver shared work or to complete cross-Division work assignments.
•          Anticipate possible problems and consequences of situations and make decisions or take necessary steps to solve problems.
•          Adhere to applicable standards, protocols and operating plans.
•          Demonstrate a general curiosity about the job, and conduct research and technology reviews, and share information.
•          Complete assigned tasks with quality and address important details.

Technical:

•         Assist in planning, organizing, overseeing, and participating in parks maintenance including inspections, mowing, weed control, seeding, tree trimming, pest control, irrigation management and control, and physical facilities maintenance.
•          Supervise and participate in the application of fertilizers and chemicals.
•          Operate and maintain parks, athletic fields, municipal grounds, and arterial right-of-way landscape irrigation systems.
•          Supervise, assist and train less experienced personnel. Work alone or as a member of a crew. 
•          Assign and perform parks maintenance operations without major impact to park users. 
•          Review work requirements and schedule personnel and equipment in accordance with job requirements.
•          Inspect and maintain turf areas, shrubs, trees, shelters, and restrooms, and help resolve work problems and identify needed resources.
•          Assist in the development and maintenance of work management and asset management systems including data entry, reporting, reviewing reports, and identifying work priorities.
•          Use of work management systems to plan and complete work assignments.
•          Participate in the construction, maintenance and renovation of City parks facilities.
•          Clean shelters and restrooms as needed.

Working Environment:
Work is performed outside most of the time, under varying and extreme weather conditions. Work includes exposure to noise, dust, pollen, gases and oils, solvents and chemicals including a variety of herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. Work requires ability to communicate and work cooperatively with employees and the public. Work requires ability to read and understand pesticide labels, material safety data sheets, and equipment manuals and ability to perform written record keeping.  Incumbents are required to work overtime, holidays, and adjusted schedules as needed. Incumbents in this position must be able to meet the physical requirements necessary to do the job.

Requirements

Three or more years of increasingly responsible experience in the construction and maintenance of community/neighborhood parks, athletic fields and/or arterial right-of-way landscaping. Completion of defensive driving training within six months of hire.  Advanced knowledge of horticulture, turf management, irrigation principles and general understanding of mechanics. Must be able to read and interpret As-Built drawings and operations manuals. 

Special Qualifications: Possession of a valid Colorado Driver's License. Based on the area of assignment, certain training, licensing and/or certification will be required within six months of hire:

o   CPR and First Aid Certification

o   And one or more of the following depending on assigned work group: 

• Horticulture Maintenance: Certified Pesticide Applicator, Qualified Supervisor (QS)
• Facilities Maintenance: Completion of Facilities trainings assigned by the Facilities Supervisor
• Irrigation and Pump Maintenance: Backflow Tester Certification.