Weed Abatement Technician

City of Montrose • Montrose, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction from the General Services Superintendent and Public Works Department Supervisors, performs specialized vegetation management, weed abatement, herbicide/pesticide application, mowing, trimming, right-of-way maintenance, documentation, inspection, and field response activities throughout City-owned properties, public rights-of-way, alleys, drainage corridors, sidewalks, trails, shoulders, and other assigned areas. Performs skilled work related to the City’s right-of-way weed abatement and vegetation control program, including identification of target vegetation, safe herbicide application, non-selective weed control, selective weed control, mechanical mowing, trimming, recordkeeping, public communication, and compliance with applicable pesticide label requirements, City standards, and state regulations. Executes comprehensive maintenance, equipment operation, customer service, and physical tasks necessary to support the upkeep of public rights-of-way and community appearance, while also assisting the Trash and Recycle Division when operational support is needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); supplemented by specialized training in right-of-way maintenance, vegetation management, pesticide application, public works operations, solid waste operations, construction, or related field.
• Two (2) years of responsible experience performing comparable public works, vegetation management, weed abatement, mowing, solid waste, equipment operation, construction, or right-of-way maintenance activities applicable to the essential functions of the position.
• Current Colorado Driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow pesticide labels, Safety Data Sheets, spray logs, work orders, maps, route sheets, equipment manuals, City procedures, and field instructions.

Nice To Haves

• Colorado Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License preferred; must be able to obtain within the timeframe established by the Department.
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License at the Certified Operator level or higher. (must be able to obtain within 1 year)
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Qualified Supervisor License, when required by the Department.
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Category 109: Industrial and Right-of-Way Weed Control.
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Agricultural Weed Control or other applicable pesticide category if required by assigned work.
• Traffic Control Flagger Certification.
• ATSSA Traffic Control Technician Certification or City-approved equivalent.
• CLTAP Roads Scholar I.
• CLTAP Roads Scholar II.
• Colorado Noxious Weed identification, integrated vegetation management, or City-approved noxious weed management training.
• Hazard Communication, Safety Data Sheet, spill response, pesticide handling, or City-approved chemical safety training.

Responsibilities

• Perform right-of-way weed abatement, vegetation control, mowing, trimming, mechanical removal, and herbicide application activities in accordance with City standards, product labels, safety requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Identify common weeds, noxious weeds, invasive vegetation, desirable vegetation, sensitive vegetation, turf areas, ornamental landscaping, and areas requiring selective or non-selective treatment.
• Apply or assist in the application of herbicides and related vegetation management products in accordance with product labels, approved mix rates, weather restrictions, drift prevention practices, personal protective equipment requirements, and City procedures.
• Maintain accurate herbicide application records including date, location, product used, mix rate, weather conditions, application method, equipment used, quantity applied, and areas treated.
• Safely operate, calibrate, inspect, and maintain herbicide application equipment including backpack sprayers, skid-mounted spray systems, ATV/UTV spray systems, truck-mounted spray systems, handguns, hoses, pumps, tanks, nozzles, meters, and related equipment.
• Monitor weather conditions prior to and during spray operations, including wind speed, temperature, precipitation, inversion potential, and other factors that may affect safe and effective herbicide application.
• Perform right-of-way mowing, shoulder mowing, alley mowing, drainage corridor mowing, trimming, edging, brush cutting, and vegetation removal as assigned.
• Operate and maintain assigned vehicles and equipment including trucks, trailers, UTVs, mowers, skid steers, loaders, tractors, brush cutters, string trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, pumps, sprayers, and other right-of-way maintenance equipment; perform daily pre-trip and post-vehicle inspections and keep equipment clean and in good working condition.
• Inspect and maintain public rights-of-way, alleys, shoulders, drainage areas, sidewalks, trails, vacant City properties, and other assigned areas for vegetation concerns, sight-distance issues, encroachments, weeds, debris, and maintenance needs.
• Support other Public Works functions as directed, which might include; street maintenance, Trash and Recycle operations, construction project preparation, special projects, and others
• Document work activities, completed work orders, mowing locations, citizen concerns, material usage, equipment usage, and follow-up needs in the City’s work management system or other approved records; respond to citizen concerns related to weeds, vegetation, spraying, mowing, odor, drift concerns, alleys, rights-of-way, visibility, and related maintenance issues in a professional and respectful manner.

Benefits

• The City of Montrose is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired.

What This Job Offers

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