Landscaping Technician Lead

City-of-Boulder,-C; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 47,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation department seeks a skilled supervisor to coordinate turf and horticultural maintenance in an urban park setting. You will lead a team, assign tasks, and ensure work quality and safety standards are met.

You will oversee irrigation systems, manage contracted work, and support event setups with other city departments. The role requires five years of horticulture/turf experience, CDL Class B, and certifications such as First Aid/CPR/AED or OSHA 30.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; five years in horticulture, turf, irrigation, and park maintenance.
• CDL Class B preferred or obtainable within one year of hire.
• Ability to read manuals, schematics, and blueprints; experience with operation of park equipment.
• Must pass background check prior to start.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate parks staff, assigning tasks and guiding daily operations.
• Monitor work quality, efficiency, and adherence to standards.
• Assist in hiring, training, and performance management of staff.
• Lead safety training on equipment use, pest management, and park safety.
• Oversee contracted work and ensure on-time completion per specs.
• Coordinate events with city departments and vendors.
• Oversee Park and Playground Safety program, including inspections.
• Perform horticultural tasks and turf maintenance; coordinate irrigation and water conservation.
• Respond to emergencies and snow removal duties as required.

Skills

Leadership

Team coordination

Equipment safety

Irrigation management

Horticulture

Turf maintenance

Reading blueprints

Communication

Safety procedures

Education

High School diploma or GED

First Aid/CPR/AED certifications

OSHA 30

CIT (Certified Irrigation Technician)

CPSI (Certified Playground Safety Inspector)

Heavy Equipment Certification or equivalent

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class B

Tools

Asset management software

Job description

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!Application Deadline:October 19, 2026Compensation Details:Hiring Range34.51 - 50.05This is a full-time hourly position.Scheduled Weekly Hours:40Benefit Eligibility Group:BMEA (20+ Hours)Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.Job Description Summary:Under limited supervision, coordinates and performs turf and horticultural maintenance tasks, skilled equipment operation, and variety of maintenance duties in an urban park setting. Assists the supervisor and leads components of daily operations as required.Job Description:ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESTakes a leadership role within the parks staff, efficiently assigning and coordinating tasks, and providing guidance as needed.Monitors ongoing work to ensure quality, efficiency, and adherence to operational standards.Assists in the hiring, training, and performance management of regular, seasonal, and other team members.Leads training programs focusing on equipment safety, parks maintenance, wildlife management, and other relevant areas.Collaborates closely with other Parks field staff to address maintenance needs, special projects, and unforeseen emergencies.Oversees contracted work, ensuring timely completion and adherence to project specifications.Coordinates with event promoters, city departments, and vendors for successful event setup and execution.Oversees the City of Boulder Park and Playground Safety Program, including conducting repairs, safety inspections, and equipment maintenance.Performs a range of horticultural tasks such as planting, fertilizing, pruning, and effective weed control.Executes comprehensive turf maintenance practices, including mowing, fertilization, aeration, and irrigation management.Coordinates with irrigation division to implement and maintain irrigation systems while promoting water conservation practices.Enforces safety procedures, regulations, and policies to create a secure work environment.Schedules and perform maintenance tasks on equipment, structures, infrastructure, and recreational facilities.Responds promptly to emergency situations, which may include addressing tree damage, flood recovery, and other urgent maters.Understands and adheres to departmental and city mission, vision, and values.Performs snow removal duties as required.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSAbility to be a dependable team player (can-do, will-do attitude).Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with all levels of management, city officials, vendors, other governmental agencies, other employees, and the general public.Ability to read various operational manuals, schematic drawings, and blueprints.Ability to train subordinate level employees and impart knowledge effectively.Ability to use light equipment such as string trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge clippers, push mowers,Knowledge at a thorough level of equipment maintenance requirements and preventative maintenance scheduling,Knowledge at a thorough level of horticultural practices and turfgrass maintenance.Knowledge at a thorough level of Integrated Pest Management theory and practical application in a park setting.Knowledge at a thorough level of landscaping principles, maintenance requirements and standards, and practical application.Knowledge at a thorough level of standard safety practices for working around heavy mechanical equipment and hazardous materials.Knowledge at thorough level and understanding of the methods, materials and equipment involved in the operation and maintenance of parks, multi-use trails, and other parks facilities.Skills in computers, data entry, and effective use of asset management software.Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSAbility to communicate technical information effectively to diverse audiences.Ability to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, including the coordination and supervision of a team.Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.Knowledge of resource conservation within a parks maintenance context.Knowledge and familiarity with high-visitor urban environments.Skills at a proficient level in utilizing tools, equipment, and software relevant to the role.Advanced experience working for a public agency.Bachelor’s Degree, certification, or completed training in a related field.Possess a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) class B.MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEHigh School diploma or GED.Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in horticulture, turf management, irrigation and general park maintenance.Possess the following certifications or new hires have the ability to obtain within one (1) year: First Aid, CPR, AED, OSHA 30 hr. CIT (Certified Irrigation Technician), CPSI (Certified Playground Safety Inspector), Heavy Equipment Certification or equivalent.Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.SUPERVISIONSupervision Received: Landscaping SupervisorSupervision Exercised: NoneWORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTSPhysical and Mental Effort: Engage in physically demanding tasks outdoors across a variety of weather conditions. Ability to perform a wide range of physical and manual tasks outdoors and under all weather conditions, including the ability to stand, kneel and bend frequently and for extended periods of time. Display the ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds and competently operate machinery. Requires standing, walking, bending, climbing, lifting, dragging, and pushing. Leverage effective communication skills, both written and verbal.Work Environment: Willingness and ability to work irregular hours, weekends, evenings, holidays, or emergencies as required to respond to Parks and Forestry maintenance needs, including on-call for snow removal or tree related emergencies. Adaptability to work under stressful situations and shifting priorities.Machines and Equipment Used: Demonstrate proficiency in operating machinery and using office equipment. Will be required to perform snow removal duties as required. Riding and hand mowers, edgers, weed eaters, backpack blowers, grinders, drills, chainsaws, rototillers; equipment such as tractors, front-end loaders/ backhoes, pick-up trucks, utility vehicles, trailers, snowplows, snow blowers; and hand tools such as wrenches, hammers, paint brushes and rollers, shovels, rakes, pruning shears and sawsAs part of the City of Boulder’s commitment to a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment that is not limited by a person’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, it is the city’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all individuals. The city does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or policy.