Horticulture Technician

City of Lakewood; Parks (LA); Sur place; USD 44 000 - 49 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The City of Lakewood is seeking a Hort iculture Technician to perform field maintenance and greenhouse operations, including cutbacks, weeding, mulching, planting, seeding, and annual bed design. Knowledge of chemical applications, irrigation, plant physiology, and equipment operation is required.

Two years of horticulture-related experience and a HS diploma are expected; certification as a pesticide applicator and state certifications may be pursued within specified timelines.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent. College course work in horticulture preferred.
• Two years of cumulative experience and/or education in horticulture, greenhouse operations, park maintenance or a closely related field.
• Ability to obtain pesticide applicator’s license within six months of appointment and Colorado Greenhouse Growers / Colorado Certified Nursery Professional Certifications.

Responsabilités

• Maintain City landscape improvements in parks, on rights of way and in street medians, or in City facilities.
• Operate City-owned vehicles, equipment, hand tools, and office equipment in performance of position responsibilities.
• Provide direction to seasonal staff in maintenance tasks and ensure maintenance objectives.
• Assist in planning short-term projects and capital equipment purchases and provide input.
• Lead or assist in tours of the greenhouse and City gardens, including after-hours or weekend tours as needed.

Connaissances

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Time management

Formation

High school diploma or equivalent

College course work in horticulture preferred

Outils

Pesticide applicator license

Valid driver’s license

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage

Description du poste

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE: $31.85 - $35.39/hour

Job Summary This position is responsible for performing a variety of horticultural field maintenance and greenhouse operations including, but not limited to cutbacks, weeding, mulching, planting, seeding and annual bed design. Concentrated efforts during the fall will be placed on the annual holiday poinsettia crop. General knowledge in chemical applications, irrigation practices, plant physiology, and equipment operation is required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation. Under general direction of crew leader or lead person establishes and prioritizes work schedule. May work independently or with a crew. Works closely with park maintenance and forestry staff. Operates City of Lakewood-owned vehicles, equipment, hand tools, and office equipment in performance of position responsibilities. Maintains, or functions as a team member with the responsibility to maintain, City landscape improvements in parks, on rights of way and in street medians, or in City facilities (interior foliage maintenance). Provides general direction to seasonal work force in performance of maintenance practices and utilizes them in meeting maintenance objectives. Performs contract administration and inspections on maintenance service-related contracts. Participates in the planning of short-term projects and capital equipment purchases providing input and information pertinent to the situation. Assists in staging special events held at park facilities and may assist Horticulture Lead in tours of the greenhouse and City gardens. At times, may lead the tours which may occur after hours or on weekends. Functions as member of snow removal crews during winter months. Requires regular and prompt attendance. Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Supervision Received: General supervision from the Forestry Supervisor. Receives general direction from the Horticulture Lead.

Supervision Exercised: May provide general direction to variable/seasonal staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must be able to interact with park users, contractors, and city staff in a positive manner. Must have ability to work well as a team member. Knowledgeable in the care of trees, turf, annual plants, perennial plants, and interior plants as the position requires. Must be able to provide weekend care of plants and responsibility to share in monitoring and responding to the alarm system at greenhouse (24 hours, 7 days/week). Must maintain and utilize City-provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when conducting activities where the employee is exposed to risks above those encountered in a traditional office setting. If injured on-the-job due to failure to utilize PPE a safety violation can be taken. Must have, or be able to develop, skill in the operation of hand tools and equipment. Ability to manage time and resources effectively. Ability to take projects from inception to completion with minimal supervision. Ability to handle complex problems with minimal supervision. Ability to be proactive, recognize problems and offer solutions. Ability to use insight, knowledge, and experience to monitor park maintenance activity to help minimize problems in a park setting. Ability to act as a positive role model for all Parks employees. Background check and pre-employment, post-offer physical required.

Education and Experience

Education: High school diploma or equivalent. College course work (in the field of horticulture) preferred.

Experience: Two years of cumulative experience and/or education in horticulture, greenhouse operations, park maintenance or a closely related field.

Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training

Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Ability to become certified by State Department of Agriculture for pesticide applicator’s license within six months of appointment. Must have or be able obtain within two years of appointment, the Colorado Greenhouse Growers and Colorado Certified Nursery Professional Certifications.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels up to 50 lbs
• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels over 51 lbs. with assistance
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, turn or twist all of which may include awkward positions on both even and uneven terrain
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, reach, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color
• Walk, ascend or descend on both even and uneven terrain

Environmental Conditions may include:

• Confined spaces
• Extreme cold or heat
• Frequent vibrations due to equipment use
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Moderate to extremely loud noise environment
• Outdoor weather conditions
• Toxic or caustic chemicals
• Wet or humid conditions
• Work in high, precarious places

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor.

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.

Pay Range $28.09-$35.39

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.

Lakewood is full of possibilities for businesses, residents and visitors with innovative approaches, community collaboration, a strong financial foundation and healthy local economy. The city serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures while also providing a 10-minute commute to the heart of the metropolitan area. Much of Lakewood’s charm derives from neighborhoods as varied as horse properties, live/work units for artists, urban-style lofts and traditional homes. Lakewood has dedicated one-quarter of the land in the city to parks and open space, providing for a healthy, active lifestyle. The city also provides a comprehensive array of services, and we are home to global and national companies while also having a robust array of small businesses. We’re an All-America City connected to the metro area with the latest technology and multiple transportation options.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Access Lakewood

The City of Lakewood offers a robust benefits package. The following applies only to regular full-time and part-time positions.

• Medical Cigna HDHP with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental Delta Dental PPO plus Premier Plan
• Vision Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Life Insurance Employees are covered for 1.5 times their annual base salary in life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, up to a maximum of $500,000 (the minimum benefit is $50,000). The city pays the cost of this coverage.
• Pension Our pension fund is a social security replacement, money purchase plan. Mandatory employee contribution is 11% of gross base salary; city contribution is 13% of gross base salary.
• Sick Leave Full-time employees earn 8 hours per month.
• Part-time employees earn 6 hours per month.
• Vacation Full-time employees with less than five years of service earn 8 hours per month.
• Part-time employees with less than five years of service earn 6 hours per month.
• City Holidays Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Deferred Compensation
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Injury Leave
• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Military Leave
• Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance
• Credit Union
• Recreation Facilities Employees are eligible for free general admission into the city’s recreation centers, swimming pools and Bear Creek Lake Park.
• Wellness Programs Value-Added Benefits