Job Description

JOB LOCATION

5800 S Powhaton Rd Aurora, Colorado 80016-4284

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of:Integrity,Respect, Professionalism, andCustomer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Join the Aurora Open Space Team

The Aurora Open Space and Natural Resources Division is seeking a dedicated Reservoir Crew Lead (Open Space Crew Lead) to help preserve and enhance our city’s beautiful public lands. This role serves as a vital leader in restoring natural areas and maintaining facilities to ensure safe, thriving habitats for local wildlife. You will act as a subject-matter expert, guiding a hardworking crew through diverse stewardship projects and seasonal operations. Your expertise directly contributes to creating pleasant, high-quality outdoor experiences for every visitor in our community. We value team members who bring a passion for conservation and a commitment to professional excellence. This position offers a unique opportunity to supervise meaningful work that protects our environment for future generations. We invite you to bring your leadership skills and environmental dedication to a department that truly lives its core values. Apply today to help us maintain the natural beauty that makes Aurora a wonderful place to live and play.

The hiring range for this role is $28.28 - $3535/hour.

Salary to be commensurate with experience.

The deadline for submitting applications is Sunday, April 26. 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing application screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

The Aurora Open Space and Natural Resources Division, Open Space Crew Lead/Maintenance Specialist is an integral member of the team responsible for restoring and conserving natural areas throughout the city. This position acts as a crew leader and/or subject matter expert and completes work as part of a crew engaged in the maintenance and stewardship of public lands and public facilities in order to provide safe and healthy homes for plants and animals, as well as pleasant human visitation experiences.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides outstanding stewardship of the public lands under care
• Performs maintenance and repair work on facilities and properties
• Assists Supervisor to plan, assign, monitor, and coordinate the work activities of assigned crew
• Assists Supervisor to resolve problems and conflicts arising during the course of the work
• Prepares productivity and activity reports
• Handles and resolves complaints with tact and diplomacy
• Reports and investigates accidents as needed to assist Supervisor
• Possesses thorough knowledge of equipment operation and construction practices
• Updates records and makes recommendations concerning materials, manpower, and equipment used
• Maintains and enforces safety regulations and procedures
• Implements preventative maintenance programs
• Performs work and assists to plan, monitor, and coordinate special functions with all user groups and between city departments
• Participates in selecting, hiring, training, evaluating, supervising, and disciplining assigned employees
• Performs snow and ice removal
• Performs additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience:

• At least 3 years progressively responsible related experience, plus at least 1 year of supervisory or lead work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge:

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Methods, materials, equipment, and operating procedures utilized in the assigned functions
• Hazards and safety practices common to machinery and equipment utilized
• Project management principles
• Effect of weather conditions on maintenance needs and procedures
• Policies and procedures for record keeping
• Snow removal procedures
• Conservation ethics

Skills:

• Use of mobile software applications
• Working effectively with employees and citizens
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Handle complaints and concerns of citizens with tact and diplomacy
• Maintain tools, equipment, and vehicles
• Prioritize, coordinate, and make work assignments
• Fulfill goals and objectives
• Safe and effective use of equipment and supplies

Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Operation of equipment and tools of assigned function
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials
• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Effectively oversee a diverse workforce
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Current Driver's License with good driving record
• Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or ability to obtain within 6 months
• Certified Operator Pesticide Applicator License or ability to obtain within 6 months
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification or ability to obtain within 6 months

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Heavy work that involves moving no more than 100 pounds with or without assistance at a time
• Continuous walking and standing to implement and oversee projects
• Continuous pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, crouching, and climbing to inspect work sites and implement work
• Continuous hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of equipment and vehicles
• Continuous vision to read reports, manuals, written materials, instruments and gauges
• Continuous good speech communication, hearing, and listening for effective communication with others
• Occasional supervision and training of employees and communicating with citizens

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and fumes

Equipment Used:

• Operates equipment and vehicles common to maintenance functions
• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel, etc.
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.