Horticulture Technician Lead

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES                 

• Takes a lead role within the parks staff, efficiently assigning and coordinating tasks, and providing guidance as needed.

• Monitors ongoing work to ensure quality, efficiency, and adherence to operational standards.

• Assists in the hiring, training, and performance management of regular, seasonal, and other team members.

• Leads training programs focusing on equipment safety, parks maintenance, wildlife management, and other relevant areas.

• Collaborates closely with other Parks field staff to address maintenance needs, special projects, and unforeseen emergencies.

• Oversees contracted and volunteer work, ensuring timely completion and adherence to project specifications.

• Coordinates with event promoters, city departments, and vendors for successful event setup and execution.

• Oversees the City of Boulder Park Horticulture Garden Bed Program and annual planting, including design, ordering, layout, installation, inspections, and closeout. 

• Performs a range of horticultural tasks such as planting, fertilizing, pruning, effective weed control, and equipment maintenance.

• Executes comprehensive turf maintenance practices, including mowing, fertilization, aeration, and irrigation management.

• Coordinates with irrigation division to implement and maintain irrigation systems while promoting water conservation practices.

• Enforces safety procedures, regulations, and policies to create a secure work environment.

• Schedules and performs maintenance tasks on equipment, structures, infrastructure, and recreational facilities.

• Responds promptly to emergency situations, which may include addressing tree damage, flood recovery, and other urgent matters.

• Understands and adheres to departmental and city mission, vision, and values.

• Performs snow removal duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to use light equipment such as string trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge clippers, and push mowers.

• Ability to read various operational manuals, schematic drawings, and blue prints and make recommendations as it pertains to Horticulture and Arboriculture.

• Ability to train subordinate level employees and impart knowledge effectively.

• Knowledge at a thorough level and understanding of the methods, materials and equipment involved in the operation and maintenance of parks, multi-use trails, and other parks facilities.

• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with all levels of management, city officials, vendors, other governmental agencies, other employees, and the general public.

• Ability to be dependable, team player (can-do, will-do attitude).

• Knowledge at a thorough level of landscaping principles, maintenance requirements and standards, and practical application.

• Knowledge at a thorough level of horticultural practices and turfgrass maintenance.

• Knowledge at a thorough level of IPM theory and practical application in a park setting.

• Knowledge at a thorough level of equipment maintenance requirements and preventative maintenance scheduling.

• Knowledge at a thorough level of standard safety practices for working around heavy mechanical equipment and hazardous materials.

• Skills in computers, data entry, and effective use of asset management software.

• Valid driver's license and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.

• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to communicate technical information effectively to diverse audiences.

• Ability to exhibit strong leadership capabilities, including the coordination and supervision of a team.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Knowledge and familiarity with high-visitor urban environments.

• Knowledge of resource conservation within a parks maintenance context.

• Skills at a proficient level in utilizing tools, equipment, and software relevant to the role.

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree, certification, or completed training in a related field.

• Advanced experience working for a public agency.

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) class B.

• Pesticide Applicator’s License.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School diploma or GED.

• Minimum of five (5) years experience in horticulture, turf management, irrigation and general park maintenance.

• First Aid, CPR, AED new hires have ability to obtain within one (1) year.

• OSHA 30 hr. new hires have ability to obtain within one (1) year.

• CIT (Certified Irrigation Technician) new hires have ability to obtain within one (1) year.

• Colorado Certified Gardener new hires have ability to obtain within one (1) years.

• Heavy Equipment Certification new hires have ability to obtain within one (1) year.

• Certified Arborist - ISA or equivalent, within one (1) year.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Landscaping and Irrigation Supervisor

Supervision Exercised: None

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS   

• Physical and Mental Effort: Engage in physically demanding tasks outdoors across a variety of weather conditions. Ability to perform a wide range of physical and manual tasks outdoors and under all weather conditions, including the ability to stand, kneel and bend frequently and for extended periods of time. Display the ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds and competently operate machinery. Requires standing, walking, bending, climbing, lifting, dragging, and pushing. Leverage effective communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Work Environment: Willingness and ability to work irregular hours, weekends, evenings, holidays, or emergencies as required to respond to Parks and Forestry maintenance needs, including on-call for snow removal or tree related emergencies.  Adaptability to work under stressful situations and shifting priorities.

• Machines and Equipment Used: Demonstrate proficiency in operating machinery and using office equipment. Will be required to perform snow removal duties as required. Riding and hand mowers, edgers, weed eaters, backpack blowers, grinders, drills, chainsaws, rototillers; equipment such as tractors, front-end loaders/ backhoes, pick-up trucks, utility vehicles, trailers, snowplows, snow blowers; and hand tools such as wrenches, hammers, paint brushes and rollers, shovels, rakes, pruning shears and saws.