Job Description

Posting number: 2604-6355

Department: Parks & Recreation

Job classification: Seasonal Parks Worker - Horticulture

Posting type: Temporary / Seasonal

Categories: Parks and Recreation, Maintenance, Horticulture

Summary

This is a non-exempt, seasonal position limited to 1,300 hours annually. Under the supervision of the Horticulture Specialist, this position performs unskilled to semi-skilled work in the maintenance of ornamental flower beds and landscaped areas of parks, streetscapes, medians, rights-of-way, and other City-owned properties. Duties also include operating vehicles and equipment in a variety of maintenance, construction, and/or utility tasks.

This job description is an overview and is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the functions and tasks required of the position.

Examples of duties

• Performs landscape maintenance in parks, medians, streetscapes, and rights-of-way to include trash removal, raking and shoveling debris, planting, pruning, pulling/spraying weeds, adding/replacing mulch, and sweeping or blowing off hardscapes.
• Operates light-duty vehicles, dump trucks, tractors, riding and push mowers, tillers, string trimmers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, blowers, sprayers, and various hand tools including rakes, shovels, loppers, pruning saws and pruning shears.
• Assists with planting annual and perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Trims and prunes trees and shrubs and assists with limb and branch removal after storm damage.
• Loads and unloads soil, gravel, decorative rock, wood mulch, and other debris.
• Cleans, maintains, and services equipment and tools.
• Assists in the monitoring, adjustment, repair, and installation of irrigation equipment.
• Maintains and performs light repair work on equipment, buildings, and grounds operated by the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Performs manual labor for extended periods under some unfavorable climatic conditions.
• Safely operates a motor vehicle for the purpose of driving to work locations and performing the essential functions of the position.

IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS:

• Assists with the general maintenance of all City parks and facilities.
• Occasionally performs emergency duties after normal work hours.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

The physical standards an employee must meet to perform the essential job duties with or without a reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to:

• Frequent kneeling, bending, lifting, and walking on uneven surfaces and sloped terrain, as well as working in traffic-controlled work zones in or near busy streets and roadways.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 60 pounds.

Qualifications

This position requires:

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Working knowledge of plant and weed identification and/or willingness to learn plant identification.
• Knowledge of planting and pruning techniques and/or willingness to learn basic horticulture practices.
• Ability to use common gardening hand tools such as pruning shears, loppers, weeding forks, rakes, shovels, and trowels.
• Ability to operate power equipment such as hedge trimmers, string trimmers, tillers, edgers, and blowers.
• Awareness of occupational hazards and ability to implement safety precautions.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Literacy in English with the ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and posted schedules.
• Ability to work with unpleasant waste.
• Ability to report for work on time and perform the duties of the job for an entire workday.
• Ability to maintain accurate time sheets and submit them to a designated supervisor in a timely manner.
• Ability to follow City policies and regulations.
• Ability to perform all job duties safely

Supplemental information

In addition to the required knowledge, skills and abilities listed above, this position requires the following:

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• Must have legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Must submit to and pass a pre-employment background check and motor vehicle record check.
• Must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred Qualification:

• A valid driver’s license at the time of application, and a valid Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of employment
• License restrictions that may hinder your ability to drive on City business, such as an interlock, will be cause for disqualification
• During the course of employment, a valid license must be maintained, and the employee must notify the City immediately upon changes to the status of their license

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Position may require occasional overtime with some weekend and holiday work required. Work is characterized by the necessity for considerable physical exertion throughout the workday with close daily contact with unpleasant materials and working outdoors under occasionally adverse weather conditions. All City facilities and vehicles are tobacco-free.

If required to drive all required licenses and certifications listed above must be maintained throughout the term of employment. Failure to obtain or maintain licenses and certifications may result in demotion or termination.

Due to Federal and State Criminal Justice System access requirements, classifications that access and maintain criminal justice information may also be required, as a condition of employment, to not have been convicted of and/or have pending charges of a felony or misdemeanor crime that would deny or otherwise restrict access to criminal justice information. This requirement applies to all existing City employees as well as external candidates seeking to fill positions that meet the given criteria.

BENEFITS:

The City of Pueblo offers a very rich benefits packet! Click on the “Benefits” hyperlink at the top of this (online) job posting to view a summary of the benefits associated with this position. For a more comprehensive view on the lush benefits offered by the City, please go to www.pueblo.us/benefits.