JOB LOCATION

13645 E Ellsworth Ave Aurora, Colorado 80012-1331

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

We are seeking a Parks Technician to join the Parks Operations & Management Division.

This role involves performing a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties, maintaining municipal assets. This includes parks, athletic fields, open spaces, grounds, and all associated buildings and structures.

You will perform manual and technical work in the field to keep our public grounds and facilities in excellent condition. We need reliable people who can efficiently conduct basic turf maintenance tasks like mowing and trimming. You may also assist in repairing, installing, and maintaining irrigation systems. You must safely operate and adjust various hand tools, power tools, equipment, and vehicles common to the maintenance industry.

The ideal candidate will effectively interact with the public and will must address complaints and concerns from citizens with tact and diplomacy while in the field.

The work is physically demanding. You must be prepared to work both indoors and outdoors, often exposed to all weather conditions, noise, and fumes. You may need to lift and carry objects weighing up to fifty pounds.

If you have the practical experience and ability to maintain critical city landscapes, we encourage you to apply.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Parks Technician performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the operation and maintenance of municipal park assets including parks, grounds, open space, right of ways, athletic fields, and commercial facilities including all associated facility structures and buildings.  

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs skilled manual and technical work involved in the maintenance and operation of public grounds and facilities; and assists work planning by scheduling, organizing, and securing materials and equipment for the accomplishment of assigned tasks for the Parks Operations & Management Division of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Department
• Demonstrates basic leadership skills by making proper field decisions and taking responsibility to ensure positive results
• Efficient in pesticide and fertilizer application and proper safety when handling either.
• Conducts routine inspections and preventative maintenance on a variety of mechanical equipment, vehicles, and parks assets
• Determines and obtains appropriate equipment and materials for specific tasks
• Coordinates, trains, and monitors work of groups for designated tasks and in proper safety practices
• Performs mowing, trimming, and turf maintenance tasks as needed
• Operates and adjusts a variety of power and hand tools and equipment
• Conducts preventative maintenance and assists in construction of grounds, facilities, and athletic fields
• Assists in performing weed control using mechanical methods or by applying herbicides
• Performs snow removal and sanding according to City standards and schedules; manages and maintains record-keeping system
• Assists in irrigation installation, inspection, renovation, repair, and maintenance
• Addresses complaints and concerns from citizens while in the field
• Performs additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered

Education: 

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience: 

• At least (2) two years of experience directly related to landscape maintenance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in landscape maintenance

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of mechanical equipment and maintenance tools, maintenance and construction activities; athletic field layouts/dimensions and particular maintenance requirements; irrigation systems; locations to be maintained; effect of weather conditions on maintenance needs and procedures; policies and procedures for record keeping; snow removal procedures; and first aid

Skills: 

• Skill in performing tool and equipment maintenance activities; adjusting equipment appropriately; using supplies safely and efficiently; transporting and operating equipment safely

Abilities: 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, supervisor(s), and employees; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; monitor activities of others; follow planning and organizational guidelines; recognize problems or hazards of equipment, buildings, and specific environments; make minor repairs in the field; handle complaints and concerns of citizens with tact and diplomacy; and maintain tools, equipment, and vehicles

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Class B Commercial Driver's License with tanker endorsement or shall get this license within the first (6) six months of hire
• Sustainable Landscape Management (Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado) within the first (12) twelve months.
• One Certified Landscape Technician Certificate in any of the following exterior maintenance categories: Softscape Installation, Irrigation, Turf Maintenance, Ornamental Maintenance, or Principles of Turfgrass. Or shall get this within (12) twelve months of hire
• Valid Driver’s License with a good driving history
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. cell phone, etc.) in the course of their employment

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

• Certified Pool Operator
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector,
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Pesticide Operator License in the turf or ornamental categories

WORKING CONDITIONS

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

Physical Demands:

• Moderate to heavy physical work depending upon assigned function; may require ability to lift a maximum of (80) eighty pounds with assistance; may lift and carry objects weighing up to (50) fifty pounds with or without assistance; considerable walking and standing; frequent performance of activities requiring a full range of body movement including bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and climbing; hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles; vision to read manuals, record data, and monitor/observe instruments and gauges; hearing/listening for troubleshooting and warning signals; and speech communication to provide technical information and to communicate with employees and citizens

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, noise, fumes, and chemicals; work may be performed in a confined space; handles a variety of chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, and concrete and building materials common to maintenance and construction

Equipment Used:

• Operates a variety of tools, equipment, and vehicles common to the landscape operation and maintenance industry

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.