Park Horticulturist - Denver Parks and Recreation
About The Position
This is an exciting and unique opportunity for anyone with a passion for creating beautiful landscapes and natural areas for the citizens of Denver. Park Horticulturists perform restoration, cultivation, care, and management within a variety of natural and traditional park landscapes and gardens. This position is an opportunity for a proven, high-performing park professional to take the next step in their career. DPR recognizes the importance of diversity in the representation of our organization to best serve our customers and community. To that end, DPR is committed to: Examining department policies and processes that value diverse perspectives and eliminate barriers to inclusion Identifying where inequities exist and implementing strategies to ensure equitable outcomes Strengthening diversity in Parks and Recreation services by transforming policies to institutionalize equity Reinvesting in resources aimed at ensuring DPR is an equitable and just organization
Requirements
- Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET, or TASC Certificate
- Three (3) years of experience in the cultivation and care of a wide variety of ornamental/native plants OR horticultural/ecological restoration
- Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.
- Requires Certification in Pesticide Application by the State of Colorado by completion of probationary period.
- Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment
Nice To Haves
- Annual and perennial design and maintenance experience
- Knowledge of a wide range of flower and shrub varieties
- Experience performing lead work or guiding others
- An eye for creativity and innovation
- Strong collaboration and communication skills
- The ability to take direction and work independently
Responsibilities
- Perform cultivation, restoration, management, and general maintenance of flower gardens, lawns, shrubs, trees, ground covers, natural areas, and wildlife habitats
- Work outdoors alongside other team members and use leadership skills to guide less seasoned workers to implement best practices in horticulture
- Prepare working sketches of flower beds or water conserving landscapes
- Prepare, fertilize, amend, or condition soils for different types of plants or plant communities
- Participate in the planning and development of planting programs, natural open space restoration projects, and planting management schedules
- Make recommendations for the number and types of plants to be grown in assigned locations
- Perform weed management
- Determine appropriate growing conditions such as soil, sunlight, moisture levels, temperature, and humidity most suitable to the variety of plants under cultivation or restoration
- Prepare reports and maintain records of plant maintenance, weed management and restoration activities
- Ensure safe handling and proper utilization of hand-powered tools, motorized equipment, and spray equipment
- Safely mix, prepare, and appropriately apply chemicals
- Develop and modify work plans to align with innovative approaches and best practices
- Perform related park maintenance tasks such as trash collection, bathroom maintenance and cleaning, vandalism repair/graffiti removal, and snow removal operations as needed
Benefits
- A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
- 457B Retirement Plan
- 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year
- Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
