Parks Turf and Landscape Equipment Operator

City of Fort Collins; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 46,150,000 - 61,992,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid personal time

Paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness program

Career mobility

Safety gear provided

Training opportunities

Referral bonus

Job summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Parks Turf and Landscape Equipment Operator to assist in maintaining parks, trails, and public spaces. The role involves operating light and heavy equipment in outdoor settings and requires an ability to work independently or with a team in varied weather conditions.

Minimum qualifications include 1–2 years of landscaping equipment experience, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to pass background checks and a drug screen.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in landscaping and operating equipment/tractors.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Successfully pass a drug screening, Motor Vehicle Record and background check.

Responsibilities

• Assist with irrigation maintenance and repairs.
• Work both in a team and independently in all weather.
• Follow safety procedures to perform duties efficiently.

Skills

English proficiency

Valid driver’s license

Tools

Backhoes

Dump trucks

Gang mowers

Riding mowers

Job description

Parks Turf and Landscape Equipment Operator

POSITION TITLE: Parks Turf and Landscape Equipment Operator (Hourly)

REQUISITION #: req8334

DEPARTMENT: Parks

LOCATION: PARKS MAINTENANCE SHOP

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly View Classifications & Benefits

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

HOURLY RATE: $19.00 per hour

SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 9/15/2026.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check and Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)required.(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.

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please readOur Community and Our Organization Brochure

Summary

Areyou a person that enjoys being outdoors?Are you an independent worker/thinker that is passionate about thestewardship of the parks in your community? Are you passionate about learning skills thatwill help you grow the green industry? Are you looking for practical,real-world skills that are in high demand? Then you’re the perfect applicant for the Parks Turf andLandscape Equipment Operator position.

The ParksTurf and Landscape Equipment Operator is a skilled position where you’llwork outdoors operating light and heavy equipment such as backhoes, dumptrucks, and gang mowers to assist in the maintenance of the parks, trails,sports fields, and public spaces. You’llbe able to hone your skills in green industry standards, landscapingtechniques, turf care and irrigation practices which are practical andin demand career skills.

Incentives

• Hourlyemployees are highly valued team members that that the ParksDepartment and the City of Fort Collins recognize by providing the followingperks:
• Potential for paid personal time and paid holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal and financial assistance.
• Wellness program and access to workout facilities.
• Personal and professional learning opportunities plus potential for career mobility.
• Collaborative work environment.
• Gift card drawings for participating in Safety and Wellness programs.
• Discounted Golf Green Fees.
• Discounted passes to City Recreation facilities.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided such as gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, boots, ear protection, etc.
• Safety boots and Parks Division logo work attire provided.
• Mentoring by world-class, knowledgeable, and experienced Park professionals.
• Training opportunities to expand educational background.
• $100.00 gift card for referring a newly hired employee through the Employee Referral program.

Essential Duties

• Assist with irrigation maintenance and repairs.
• Work successfully in a team environment, as well as autonomously, in all weather conditions.
• Follow established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Engage with team members in a considerate and helpful manner and project a positive attitude in the workplace.
• Maintain a positive, helpful, and solution-oriented attitude while assisting others.
• Interact with the public in a professional and courteous manner.
• Assist with cleaning and removing trash from all areas of the park including shelters and restroom facilities as needed.
• Assist with snow removal and special events as needed.
• Assistwithadditionaltasks to help other Park divisions including Cemetery or Forestry if needed.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for independently moving equipment to/from sites via trailer.
• Operate equipment such as backhoes, dump trucks, riding mowers, trim mowers, gang mowers, weed whips, etc.
• Inspect and maintain assigned equipment.
• Assist in maintenance of City parks, trails, sports fields, and public spaces.

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.

Knowledge & Skills

• Currently possesses, or will obtain, a DOT certificate (after in-house training) within first week of hire.
• Basic knowledge of landscaping maintenance and turf management.
• Ability to connect, pull and backup trailers.
• Ability to work independently and to identify the appropriate equipment needed for the upkeep in the areas of responsibility.
• Ability to recognize areas of concern at a site and proceed appropriately to fix and/or alert Crew Chief.
• Basic knowledge in care, operation and maintenance requirements for power tools and power-driven and electric equipment.
• Skilled in operation and general maintenance of light and/or heavy equipment.
• Skilled in basic traffic and safety rules and regulations and accident prevention practices.

Minimum Qualifications / Experience

• 1-2 Years of experience in landscaping and operating equipment and tractors.
• Unrestricted valid driver’s license.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Successfully pass a drug screening test, Motor Vehicle Record and background check.
• Possess physical, mental, and cognitive abilities sufficient to perform the essential duties outlined above with or without reasonable accommodation.
• These include:
• Must be proficient in English with the ability to read, write, speak, and understand.
• Physical ability and stamina to perform duties including bending, lifting, digging, pushing, and kneeling.
• Requires light and heavy manual labor that requires walking or standing most of the time.
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; occasionally up to 50 pounds maximum.
• Proper safety measures for lifting/moving any item areexpected to be followed; including, but not limitedto, the use of properPersonal Protection Equipment (PPE), use of lifting/moving equipment,and/orassistance from co-workers.

Work Schedule/Conditions

• Position is a non-benefitted seasonal/temporary hourly position.
• Potential for flexible work schedules to allow for work-life-school balance.
• Hours vary from part-time to full-time and may include weekends and holidays.
• Potential for overtime pay and accrued sick/personal time based on qualified hours worked.
• Work occurs outdoors in a variety of weather conditions under the supervision of a crew leader.
• Safety gear is provided and required including, but is not limited to, safety-toed boots, safety glasses and ear protection.
• May use chemicals including cleaning supplies and herbicides.
• Attendance at weekly staff meetings, trainings, and safety meetings is required.
• City of Fort Collins works together with staff to prevent the spread of germs (COVID, etc.) to maintain a clean, safe environment.

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.

The City 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.

POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT (MVR) REQUIRED. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

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

See other job opportunities with our affiliates: