JOB LOCATION

18601 E Sports Park Dr Aurora, Colorado 80011-5101

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

Are you someone who believes the secret to a great season starts long before the whistle blows? We need a Parks Superintendent who sees turf maintenance not as a chore, but as an applied science masterpiece. If you consider the precise balance of soil fertility and irrigation scheduling as your personal equivalent of rocket science, we want to hear from you.

This role is much like being the head chef of the world's largest, greenest outdoor restaurant. Our "menu" includes everything from complex bluegrass/ryegrass fields to specialized synthetic turf. You’ll develop and implement the master agronomy plan, ensuring every blade of grass is playing its part.

You're also a master cultivator, not just of turf, but of talent. You will recruit, hire, train, and evaluate your staff. You are the grounds crew's coach, structuring their professional development to keep our team high-performing.

You’ll be the key connection point, coordinating ballfield scheduling and major tournaments with our Recreation programming teams. You’ll manage several budgets, handle reports, and keep a careful eye on expenditures and supplies.

If you thrive when balancing the unexpected demands of public parks with the technical precision of large-scale irrigation systems—and you know how to handle hazardous chemicals safely—you might just be our person. If the smell of freshly cut grass is your favorite professional cologne, apply now.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate parks personnel.
• Manages several budgets (working and estimates)
• Assist with emergency procedures.
• Establish good working relationships with other city agencies, both public and private
• Coordinate with and advise Recreation programming staff as to programming and scheduling of ballfields and tournaments throughout the year
• Confers with the Manager of Parks and others in the development of programs, facilities, and budget.
• Participate in professional committees, conferences, workshops, and classes to improve job knowledge and management skills.
• Prepares monthly objectives and reports.
• Develops, implements, monitors, evaluates, and supervises the operations of the Aurora Sports Park, Athletic Field, and Irrigation staff. .
• Develop, plan, and implement an agronomy plan for all sports fields
• Oversees and supervises the activities of subordinate staff; hires, assigns, trains, directs, schedules, and monitors staff duties.
• Oversees and coordinates the operations and management of sports fields of all types (bluegrass/ryegrass, bermuda grass, synthetic turf, etc.) along with complex irrigation systems and other park sites
• Evaluates employee performance and initiates disciplinary actions when needed.
• Responsible for the appropriate training of employees in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Plans and conducts in-service training programs.
• Monitors status of required licenses and certifications.
• Structures the evaluation and professional development of staff to ensure a high performing team.
• Performs safety inspections of parks and ensures that safe work methods and safety precautions are observed.
• Utilizes appropriate safety equipment in working around hazardous chemicals and in hazardous environments.
• Plans, schedules, prioritizes, and may assist with maintenance, repair, renovation, and construction projects.
• Makes recommendations on planning, development, and implementation of new facilities and/or park areas.
• Monitors and tracks expenditures.
• Monitors inventory and purchases authorized supplies and equipment.
• Maintains records, prepares a variety of operational and business reports and associated correspondence.
• Assists with special events as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

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

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture, parks administration, natural resources, or related field

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant professional experience, with at least three years in a supervisory capacity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale irrigation systems, including troubleshooting, repair, and water conservation strategies.
• Familiarity with sports field standards and specifications along with daily, weekly, and annual ballfield maintenance practices to ensure safe and playable fields
• Strong working knowledge of sports turfgrass management, including fertilization, aeration, overseeding, mowing schedules, and drainage systems.
• Proven experience applying strong agronomic practices in turfgrass management, including soil fertility optimization, irrigation scheduling, pest and disease control, and sustainable nutrient management.

Knowledge:

• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating agronomic strategies for sports fields
• Principles and practices of supervision and leadership, including work planning, assignment review, evaluation, discipline, and training.
• Theories, principles, methods, materials, techniques, and equipment used in the construction, maintenance, and repairs ofirrigation systems, multi-purpose sports fields, and baseball/softball skins.
• Proper horticultural practices related to parks, plants, trees, and shrubs including species identification and disease management.
• Methods and techniques of manual and automatic irrigation system installation, operation, and repair
• Operational characteristics of a variety of tools and equipment
• Methods and techniques of inspecting maintenance and repair work to ensure compliance with safety requirements, standards, and quality requirements.
• Relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Occupational hazards and related safety precautions
• Principles and practices of administrative procedures, recordkeeping, budgeting, and financial management
• Principles and practices of contract and procurement administration
• Principles and techniques for fostering effective work groups, inter-departmental relations, and community partnerships while providing high level of customer service.

Skills:

• Skill in the use of tools and equipment related to parks maintenance and irrigation functions, intermediate computer skills and related software applications.

Abilities:

• Select, supervise, and lead staff and volunteers, including planning, organizing, training, evaluating, and coordinating the work of multiple assigned areas and working teams.
• Plan and develop policies and procedures.
• Perform skilled park maintenance and repair work in a diverse range of trade areas.
• Read and understand complex construction and development plans and specifications.
• Review work to be performed and identify resources necessary to complete the work.
• Respond appropriately to changing situations.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
• Demonstrate strong customer service skills and establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.
• Use language to effectively communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.

Licenses and Certificates Required:

• Valid Driver’s License with a good driving history
• Annual reuse water training cert required within six months of employment.
• May require additional licensing and/or certification appropriate to assigned function.
• Defensive Driving

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• 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:

• Frequently sitting, occasionally walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, climbing

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, noise, fumes, dust, and chemicals

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.