Maintenance Technician I - Horticulturalist – Special Improvement Maintenance District

City of Colorado Springs • Colorado Springs, CO

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance Technician I - Horticulturalist performs landscape and semi-skilled maintenance duties in landscaped and irrigated rights-of-way, medians, and enhanced planting areas in the Briargate, Norwood, and Stetson Hills Special Improvement Maintenance Districts. The work includes commercial irrigation system repair and management, turf and grass care, tree work, shrub-bed maintenance, snow removal, and supporting or leading seasonal staff and contractors. Specialized horticultural duties include planting, weeding, mulching, watering, fertilizing, pruning, deadheading, cleanup, greenhouse propagation, landscape design, plant identification, and mapping.

The position maintains irrigation systems and adjusts schedules based on system data and annual water allotments; diagnoses landscape and turf health issues; maintains equipment and grounds; and conducts inspections to support safety compliance. It also involves growing and protecting plant material from seed through installation, using pesticides and machinery, and performing seasonal greenhouse and landscape work.

Requirements

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade (high school diploma or GED); additional relevant education and work experience may be considered equivalent.
• Possess, or obtain upon hire, and maintain a valid, non-probationary driver's license that is not subject to restrictions.
• Knowledge of basic irrigation repair and system management.
• Basic greenhouse experience.
• Plant identification knowledge.
• Knowledge of turf and bed maintenance.
• Ability to safely operate a variety of tools, equipment, machinery, assigned vehicles, and trailers.
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to issues.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive, effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• One year of full-time professional experience in a related field.
• Applicable horticulture certifications or documented continuing education units (CEUs).
• Knowledge of CAD (computer-aided design) or GIS (Geographic Information System) systems.

Responsibilities

• Adjust irrigation schedules based on system data and manage annual water allotments.
• Coordinate with maintenance technicians to service irrigation components and perform winterization and startup.
• Diagnose and address turf and landscape plant health issues.
• Perform seeding, topdressing, and aeration, and maintain landscape beds using appropriate herbicides.
• Pick up trash across assigned areas.
• Remove snow from sidewalks using ATVs and other equipment.
• Inspect, maintain, and complete minor repairs on landscape equipment.
• Conduct regular grounds, facility, and playground inspections to ensure safety compliance.
• Review contractor work and direct hourly or seasonal staff.
• Propagate, grow, maintain, and protect plant material from seed to installation.
• Perform fertilizing, pesticide application, bed planting, xeric-bed design, mid-sized machinery operation, and seasonal cleaning of greenhouse plastics.
• Perform planting, weeding, mulching, watering, pruning, deadheading, cleanup, greenhouse propagation, landscape design, plant identification, and mapping.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Additional compensation may be available depending on the position, assignment, and duties, including shift or pay differentials, acting or lead pay, special assignment pay, hazard pay, longevity pay, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby and call-out compensation, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentives, holiday premium, proficiency pay, and vacation sell back.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED