Holiday Lighting Technician

City of Fort Collins; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Holiday Lighting Technician for the Gardens on Spring Creek. This seasonal, outdoor role focuses on installing holiday displays, coordinating light operations, and assisting with event setup and maintenance.

The position runs late September through January, averaging ~24 hours per week with shifts evenings/weekends. Candidates should have a high school diploma, English proficiency, and prior lighting/event experience where possible.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be proficient in English.
• Prior light installation experience preferred.
• Prior event operations experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Install holiday light displays across an outdoor botanic garden.
• Manage day-of light operations, testing, troubleshooting, and resolving issues.
• Set up and strike event equipment, including tables, barricades, and signage.
• Perform custodial duties and snow removal as applicable.
• Work a variety of shifts including evenings and weekends.
• Direct and support volunteers performing light-related projects.

Skills

Work without direct supervision

Detail-oriented

Time management

Team player

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Holiday Lighting Technician (Hourly)
REQUISITION #: req8594
DEPARTMENT: Arts & Culture
LOCATION: GARDENS ON SPRING CREEK
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly Hourly Employee Benefit Highlights
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Fluctuating Hourly
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
HOURLY RATE: $17.00 - 18.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 9/24/2026.

Post-Offer Requirements

• Background check

Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position.

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

At the City, weare focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognizethat excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. Whenreviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge,skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimumqualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you toview your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that bestprepare you for the role.

Summary

The seasonal Holiday Lighting Technician position extends from late September through the end of January. Duties focus on working outside with a small team to provide holiday lighting installation services, light display operations during event programming, and holiday light de-installation for The Gardens on Spring Creek premiere Halloween and Winter Holiday light display events, hosted in late October and throughout the month of December. This role will also support additional event set-up support including set and strike of event signage, barricades, tables and chairs, and similar event supplies, and will additionally support and respond to grounds and janitorial maintenance issues during event operations, including snow removal as applicable.

This position will be scheduled approximately 24 hours per week. Shifts focusing on installation and de-installation will be scheduled during regular business hours. Event operational shifts will be scheduled during evenings and weekends.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Install holiday light displays across an outdoor botanic garden setting, including string lights, on various trees, shrubs, grasses, etc. Install and program spotlights to illuminate sculptures, RGB displays, trees, and other decorative elements, among many other types of visual displays.
• Use a variety of tools/ladders and equipment to install specialty light displays.
• Works carefully and intentionally around curated botanic garden beds to minimize damage to surrounding plantings and infrastructure during light installation and de-installation.
• During event operations, monitors event areas for light display performance and overall venue tidiness and operational readiness.
• Independently manages day-of event light operations through testing, troubleshooting, and resolving light display issues.
• Manages onsite heater and propane devices.
• Provides pathway maintenance and custodial duties during event operations including snow shoveling, pathway ice treatment, servicing trash and recycling receptacles, restocking and tidying restrooms, addressing spills, and similar duties.
• Supports the set and strike of event equipment including tables, chairs, sign frames, barricades, cones, AV equipment, tents, linens, etc. according to event diagrams and written plans.
• Functions both independently and as a member of a team to execute duties.
• Uses lists, event plans, and diagrams to identify priorities and line out actions for shift.
• Responsible for operational readiness while on duty. Remedies or reports deficiencies to supervisor or event lead on duty.
• Perform janitorial and custodial duties as part of daily duties as needed.
• Perform basic repair and troubleshooting of light displays and event equipment or supplies as applicable.
• Scheduled to work a variety of shifts, including weekdays, weekends and evenings.
• Perform work without direct supervision in a fast-paced environment with ability to identify & prioritize daily duties and unexpected challenges.
• Assists with resource inventory, equipment maintenance, or other event-related projects as assigned.
• Direct and support volunteers performing light-related projects.
• May support other Arts and Culture Department facilities, as needed and assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position is not responsible for the supervision of employees.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Work without direct supervision, using detail-orientation, organization and time management skills.
• Ability to take initiative, complete assigned tasks, work through conflict and arrive at a resolution, and problem solve under time constraints.
• Ability to work on part of a team or independently.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co ‑ workers and the public.
• Ability to work with and provide direction to volunteers.
• Ability to handle sensitive or stressful situations with tact, good judgement and diplomacy.
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form with external and internal customers.
• Basic computer knowledge and ability to operate a variety of office equipment.
• Ability to understand power and electrical concepts as they relate to the successful installation and operation of exterior event light displays.
• Ability to use ladders, timers, extension cords, table and chair dollies, wagons and carts, various hand tools, standard office equipment including copiers, computers, audio visual equipment, and motor vehicles.
• Ability to show sensitivity in dealing with all age groups, persons with disabilities, and a diverse population.
• Ability to understand and apply department procedures and policies.
• Physically able to perform custodial and event set up tasks.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required.
• Must be proficient in English with the ability to read, speak, understand and write.
• Prior light installation experience preferred.
• Prior event operations experience preferred.
• Ability to apply reason, common sense, good judgment and understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to take direction from supervisor and act individually.
• Ability to solve and implement practical solutions to problems.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, and schedule form.
• Foresee and initiate proactive measures to insure customer service and facility integrity.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

n/a

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance at a height up to 20ft.; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able to regularly lift and push/pull 50-65 lbs., and occasionally push/pull up to 150 lbs.

• Walking long distances both indoors and outdoors
• Physical/Labor intensive work including movement for up to 8 hours at a time
• Use of and climbing of ladders
• Manual dexterity enough to operate cleaning equipment and tools including ability to continually walk and frequently, bend, twist, kneel, stoop, reach, pull and push
• Strength and stamina enough to set/strike event equipment, operate cleaning equipment, move objects up to 65 pounds and bend, twist, stoop and reach above head in the performance of custodial duties. Push wheeled items up to 150 lbs.
• Vision enough to read diagrams and maps, signs, operate equipment.
• Make continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements including tasks requiring a full range of motion to reach up and out.
• Communication skills enough to interpret work schedules, job duties and convey information to supervisor

Proper safety measures for lifting/moving any item are expected to be followed; including, but not limited to, the use of proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), use of lifting/moving equipment, and/or assistance from co-workers.

Work Environment

The facility has a dynamic and changing event and activity schedule. Employee will be asked to work variable hours including morning, afternoon, evening, late-night shifts, during the week and weekends, and surrounding major holidays. Shifts will primarily be outdoors and weather conditions may include rain, snow, ice, and extreme cold temperatures. Employees will be asked to work alone or as an unsupervised team. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be occasionally exposed to fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call [phone] for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

TheCity is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.

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