Weed Abatement Technician

City of Montrose; Montrose (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Montrose is seeking an experienced vegetation management technician to perform weed abatement, mowing, trimming, and herbicide applications on City properties and rights‑of‑way. You will identify vegetation, apply treatments, keep records, and communicate with the public while adhering to safety and label requirements.

Preferred candidates have strong knowledge of public works practices, licensing, and the ability to operate a range of spray equipment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; specialized training in right‑of‑way maintenance or related field.
• Two years of experience in public works, vegetation management, or related tasks.
• Non‑standard hours including nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency callouts.
• Knowledge of public rights‑of‑way maintenance and pesticide application regulations.
• Ability to read pesticide labels, lift and handle equipment, and follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform weed abatement, vegetation control, mowing, trimming, and herbicide application per standards.
• Identify vegetation types and decide on selective or non-selective treatments.
• Maintain accurate application records including location, product, rate, and conditions.
• Safely operate and maintain herbicide equipment and perform pre/post trip inspections.
• Monitor weather and ensure drift prevention and PPE compliance.
• Respond to citizen concerns and document work activities in the management system.

Skills

Weed abatement

Vegetation management

Herbicide application

Mowing

Trimming

Right-of-way maintenance

Documentation

Inspection

Field response

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Backpack sprayers

Truck-mounted spray systems

UTV spray systems

Job description

Basic Purpose of the Job

Under general direction from the General Services Superintendent and Public Works Department Supervisors, performs specialized vegetation management, weed abatement, herbicide/pesticide application, mowing, trimming, right-of-way maintenance, documentation, inspection, and field response activities throughout City-owned properties, public rights-of-way, alleys, drainage corridors, sidewalks, trails, shoulders, and other assigned areas.

Performs skilled work related to the City’s right-of-way weed abatement and vegetation control program, including identification of target vegetation, safe herbicide application, non-selective weed control, selective weed control, mechanical mowing, trimming, recordkeeping, public communication, and compliance with applicable pesticide label requirements, City standards, and state regulations.

Essential Functions:

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Perform right-of-way weed abatement, vegetation control, mowing, trimming, mechanical removal, and herbicide application activities in accordance with City standards, product labels, safety requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Identify common weeds, noxious weeds, invasive vegetation, desirable vegetation, sensitive vegetation, turf areas, ornamental landscaping, and areas requiring selective or non-selective treatment.
• Apply or assist in the application of herbicides and related vegetation management products in accordance with product labels, approved mix rates, weather restrictions, drift prevention practices, personal protective equipment requirements, and City procedures.
• Maintain accurate herbicide application records including date, location, product used, mix rate, weather conditions, application method, equipment used, quantity applied, and areas treated.
• Safely operate, calibrate, inspect, and maintain herbicide application equipment including backpack sprayers, skid‑mounted spray systems, ATV/UTV spray systems, truck‑mounted spray systems, handguns, hoses, pumps, tanks, nozzles, meters, and related equipment.
• Monitor weather conditions prior to and during spray operations, including wind speed, temperature, precipitation, inversion potential, and other factors that may affect safe and effective herbicide application.
• Perform right-of-way mowing, shoulder mowing, alley mowing, drainage corridor mowing, trimming, edging, brush cutting, and vegetation removal as assigned.
• Operate and maintain assigned vehicles and equipment including trucks, trailers, UTVs, mowers, skid steers, loaders, tractors, brush cutters, string trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, pumps, sprayers, and other right‑of‑way maintenance equipment; perform daily pre‑trip and post‑vehicle inspections and keep equipment clean and in good working condition.
• Inspect and maintain public rights‑of‑way, alleys, shoulders, drainage areas, sidewalks, trails, vacant City properties, and other assigned areas for vegetation concerns, sight‑distance issues, encroachments, weeds, debris, and maintenance needs.
• Support other Public Works functions as directed, which might include; street maintenance, Trash and Recycle operations, construction project preparation, special projects, and others
• Document work activities, completed work orders, mowing locations, citizen concerns, material usage, equipment usage, and follow‑up needs in the City’s work management system or other approved records; respond to citizen concerns related to weeds, vegetation, spraying, mowing, odor, drift concerns, alleys, rights‑of‑way, visibility, and related maintenance issues in a professional and respectful manner.

Core Beliefs

Core beliefs are deeply held values and assumptions that guide individuals in the workplace. Core beliefs define how we do things. By establishing core beliefs, the City of Montrose is creating a common culture that shapes employee behavior in a positive and predictable manner. When these beliefs are shared, they create cohesiveness and mutual commitment in the organization and flexibility to changes as they occur.

Our core beliefs are centered on exceptional service and are based around treating our customers and fellow team members with dignity and respect. We value teamwork and recognize that we must continually strive to improve the customer experience. Every team member, regardless of job title, plays a part in creating a service environment and each are empowered to respond to the needs of our customers and teammates. We have six Core Beliefs: Respect, Ethics, Leadership, Accountability, Transparency, Excellence in Service (RELATE).

Job Requirements:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); supplemented by specialized training in right‑of‑way maintenance, vegetation management, pesticide application, public works operations, solid waste operations, construction, or related field.
• Two (2) years of responsible experience performing comparable public works, vegetation management, weed abatement, mowing, solid waste, equipment operation, construction, or right‑of‑way maintenance activities applicable to the essential functions of the position.
• This position is subject to non‑standard working hours including nights, weekends, holidays, emergency callouts, snow operations, seasonal spray windows, and special events.
• Knowledge of standard construction and maintenance practices relating to public rights‑of‑way, streets, alleys, drainage corridors, vegetation management, pesticide application, mowing, equipment operation, and solid waste operations.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow pesticide labels, Safety Data Sheets, spray logs, work orders, maps, route sheets, equipment manuals, City procedures, and field instructions.

Licensures & Certificates (must be active and current):

• Current Colorado Driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Colorado Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License preferred; must be able to obtain within the timeframe established by the Department.

Required Competencies and Certifications:

• Colorado Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License at the Certified Operator level or higher. (must be able to obtain within 1 year)
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Qualified Supervisor License, when required by the Department.
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Category 109: Industrial and Right‑of‑Way Weed Control.
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Agricultural Weed Control or other applicable pesticide category if required by assigned work.
• Traffic Control Flagger Certification.
• ATSSA Traffic Control Technician Certification or City‑approved equivalent.
• CLTAP Roads Scholar I.
• CLTAP Roads Scholar II.
• Colorado Noxious Weed identification, integrated vegetation management, or City‑approved noxious weed management training.
• Hazard Communication, Safety Data Sheet, spill response, pesticide handling, or City‑approved chemical safety training.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Requires ability to perform heavy manual labor. Strenuous physical work requiring ability to lift a maximum of 50 pounds; frequent lifting, carrying, walking and standing, hand/eye coordination. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Frequent hand/eye coordination for operation of personal computer, and use of hands to handle small parts; vision for reading and preparing written reports and documents; frequent speech communication, hearing and listening to maintain communications with employees and citizens. Requires driving and walking during inclement weather. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold and extreme heat; chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.

Late applications will not be accepted. All candidates are subject to a pre‑employment background check and drug screen. The City of Montrose is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E‑Verify to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired.