Horticulture Technician

City of Lakewood•Lakewood, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Horticulture Technician performs horticultural field maintenance and greenhouse operations, including cutbacks, weeding, mulching, planting, seeding, and annual bed design. Fall work focuses in part on the annual holiday poinsettia crop. The position requires general knowledge of chemical applications, irrigation practices, plant physiology, and equipment operation. Under general direction from a crew leader or lead person, the technician establishes and prioritizes work schedules and may work independently or with a crew. The role maintains City landscape improvements in parks, rights of way, street medians, and City facilities, including interior foliage. It also provides general direction to seasonal staff, inspects and administers maintenance-service contracts, contributes to short-term project planning and capital equipment purchase discussions, and supports park special events and greenhouse or garden tours. The technician may participate in snow removal during winter months and must maintain regular, prompt attendance. The position receives general supervision from the Forestry Supervisor and general direction from the Horticulture Lead. It may provide general direction to variable or seasonal staff. The role requires positive interactions with park users, contractors, and City staff; effective teamwork and resource management; and the ability to complete projects and address complex problems with minimal supervision. Weekend plant care and shared responsibility for monitoring and responding to the greenhouse alarm system 24 hours a day, seven days a week are required. Tours may occur after hours or on weekends. This is very heavy work involving frequent outdoor activity and exposure to conditions that may include extreme temperatures, noise, vibration, airborne particles, chemicals, wet or humid conditions, confined spaces, and high or precarious places. The job requires lifting and moving objects, including items over 51 pounds with assistance, and working on even and uneven terrain. Employees must use City-provided personal protective equipment and follow safety procedures. A background check and post-offer pre-employment physical are required. The City is a drug-free workplace and states its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Two years of cumulative experience and/or education in horticulture, greenhouse operations, park maintenance, or a closely related field.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
Ability to become certified by the State Department of Agriculture for a pesticide applicator’s license within six months of appointment.
Must have or be able to obtain Colorado Greenhouse Growers and Colorado Certified Nursery Professional certifications within two years of appointment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Knowledge of the care of trees, turf, annual plants, perennial plants, and interior plants as required by the position.
Ability to interact positively with park users, contractors, and City staff and work effectively as a team member.
Ability to develop skill in operating hand tools and equipment.
Ability to manage time and resources effectively and take projects from inception to completion with minimal supervision.
Ability to handle complex problems with minimal supervision, recognize problems, offer solutions, and monitor park maintenance activity to help minimize problems.
Ability to provide weekend plant care and share responsibility for responding to the greenhouse alarm system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Ability to meet and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.
Ability to perform very heavy work, including exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, more than 50 pounds frequently, and/or more than 20 pounds constantly; lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, moving, or positioning up to 50 pounds, and handling heavier loads with assistance.
Ability to work in conditions that may include confined spaces, extreme cold or heat, equipment vibration, fumes or airborne particles, moderate to extremely loud noise, outdoor weather, toxic or caustic chemicals, wet or humid conditions, and high or precarious places.
Background check and post-offer pre-employment physical required.

Nice To Haves

College coursework in horticulture is preferred.

Responsibilities

Establish and prioritize work schedules under the general direction of a crew leader or lead person; work independently or with a crew.
Maintain City landscape improvements in parks, rights of way, street medians, and City facilities, including interior foliage.
Perform horticultural field maintenance and greenhouse operations, including cutbacks, weeding, mulching, planting, seeding, and annual bed design.
Provide general direction to seasonal staff and use their support to meet maintenance objectives.
Administer and inspect maintenance-service-related contracts.
Participate in planning short-term projects and capital equipment purchases by providing relevant input and information.
Assist with staging special events at park facilities and help lead greenhouse and City garden tours; tours may occur after hours or on weekends.
Provide weekend care of plants and share responsibility for monitoring and responding to the greenhouse alarm system.
Serve as a member of snow removal crews during winter months.
Operate City-owned vehicles, equipment, hand tools, and office equipment as needed.
Maintain regular and prompt attendance and perform other duties as assigned.
Use required personal protective equipment and follow applicable safety procedures.