Horticulture Technician

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.

Technological Skills

·         Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)

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.