Parks Specialist - Horticulture

POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

Parks Specialist

• Horticulture is responsible for the design, implementation, management, and mapping of selected gardens throughout the City. Main emphasis will be on design, propagation, planting, and maintenance of perennial displays, annual displays and maintenance of interior foliage. Work is done under the direct supervision of the Crewleader

• Horticulture.

In order to be considered for this position and move forward with the interview process, a current copy of your state issued driving record (issued within the last 30 days) must be presented at the time of your interview.

The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee's level of proficiency and usage.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service

• People

• Integrity

• Respect

• Innovation

• Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, which enhances the quality of life for all Westminster citizens by providing diverse leisure, recreational and informational services and resources; and acquiring, developing and maintaining first-class parks, facilities, open space and trails.

Every employee is accountable to:

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority

• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback

• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision

• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city and the community; conduct self in a professional manner

• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty and ethical behavior

• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner

• Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility and takes calculated risks when appropriate

• Participate in personal growth opportunities and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization

• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered

• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives

• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

Citywide- Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments

• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses and target areas for personal self-development

• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks

• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions

• Achieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently

• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications

• Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance

• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product

Job Specific- Every employee in this position must be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of:

• Horticultural principles and practices in the greenhouse, including monitoring and care for greenhouse infrastructure, plant nutrition, soil media formulation and pest management

• Plant biology and identification (common and botanical names) of perennials, biennials, annuals, and bulbs

• Plant propagation (seed, cuttings, divisions, etc.)

• Xeriscape principles, Best Management Practices (BMP), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and soil science

• ESRI ArcGIS software

• Landscape planning, design, and installation

• Communicates and coordinates regularly with other City employees including park construction crews, parks irrigation crews, and landscape planners

Effectively deal with the public and other City employees

Train and manage small crews of seasonal employees

Understand and follow safety rules and procedures

Possess experience in pesticide use and the ability to calibrate and use all application equipment as necessary

JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Tasks

• Maintains perennial display gardens

• Maintains annual displays

• Maintains interior foliage

• Performs snow removal operations

• Assists with cleaning and general maintenance of greenhouses

• Maintains regular and punctual attendance

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs record keeping relative to plant maintenance and greenhouse work

• Assists greenhouse staff in selection and planting of annual flower bed arrangements when necessary

• Coordinates with Irrigation Technician on routine plant maintenance watering schedules

• Performs snow removal operations

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City's discretion.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses and Certifications

Required:

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED

• At least two (2) years of experience in greenhouse, nursery, and/or golf course maintenance

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited, four-year college or university with major course work in Landscape Horticulture, Horticulture, Botany, Forestry, Landscape Design, or closely related field

• Must possess a valid driver's license without restrictions, provide proof of a safe driving record, and maintain a safe driving record for continued employment

• Must possess a Colorado, Class B Commercial Driver License prior to, or within six (6) months of employment

• Must possess or be able to obtain within six months of employment, a Certification by the State of Colorado as a Pesticide Applicator

Preferred:

• Related course work at the college level

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.

Physical Requirements

Work performed is physical in nature sufficient physical stamina and strength is needed to:

• Frequently sit, stand and walk outdoor over uneven terrain to inspect condition of golf course and perform maintenance

• Frequently squat, bend, kneel, and twist with constant reaching below shoulder daily maintenance duties; Occasionally crawl, climb and reach overhead for inspection and stocking of supplies

• Frequent light/firm grasp and handling to properly use landscape tools and equipment; Occasional fine manipulation perform course maintenance and office tasks

• Frequent step up/down and actuate mechanism to safely enter/exit and operate golf carts, riding mowers and vehicles

• Constant near/far acuity to observe course for maintenance needs and safety hazards and perform office tasks; Constant hearing to effectively communicate with guests, staff and to be aware of any possible dangers while on golf course

• Occasional lifting of up to twenty-five (25) pounds from floor to overhead to stock material and supplies; Occasional lifting of up to eighty (80) pounds from floor to waist and carrying of up to eighty (80) pounds fifteen (15) feet to move bags of concrete, fertilizer and rocks to work site and storage; Occasional pushing/pulling of up to 100 pounds to transport materials and supplies on golf course using a pallet jack and wheel barrows

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is occasionally performed indoors and frequently outdoors with occasional exposure to extreme temperatures. Work is performed in a public setting in which maintenance is performed year round.

Required Materials and Equipment

Operates light equipment such as golf carts, pick-up trucks, dump trucks, tractors, loaders, trailers, backhoes, trenchers, rototillers, sod cutters, wheelbarrows, horticulture hand tools, pruners, water tanks, mowers, edgers, air compressors, snowplows, snow blowers, and other general maintenance equipment as necessary. Operation of City Vehicle may be required. Gloves, earmuffs, goggles/glasses, face shields, steel-toed shoes, dust and spray masks, and pesticides are also used. General office equipment, including phone, calculator, two-way radio, computer terminals, photocopier, computer applications, and printers.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Background checks will include employment references and criminal history and when applicable, credit check, driver's license record, education verification

• Pre-employment drug screen

• Pre-employment physical

• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States