Open Space Steward (Parks Steward - Variable Hour Benefits Eligible)

JOB LOCATION

21901 E Hampden Ave Aurora, Colorado 80013-5000

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

We're on the hunt for a Parks Steward to join our team, someone who's passionate about keeping our public lands, plants, and animals safe and healthy, while also ensuring our human visitors have a pleasant experience.

In this role, you'll be a key player in the stewardship and maintenance of our beautiful public lands. Your days could involve:

• Planting and caring for trees and other vegetation.
• Performing maintenance and repair work on various facilities and properties.
• Operating and maintaining cool equipment (with proper training, of course!).
• Answering questions from the public about our resources and rules.

The hiring rate for this position is $18.00/hour.

The deadline for submitting applications is May 22, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing application screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.   

This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate will work an average of 40 hours per week.  The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical Benefits as well as accrue paid time off and receive 11 paid holidays.

The Parks Steward is an integral member of the team responsible for maintenance and stewardship of public lands, resources, infrastructure, and facilities in order to provide safe and healthy homes for plants and animals, as well as safe and pleasant human experiences.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides outstanding stewardship of the public lands under care
• Performs maintenance and repair work on facilities and properties
• Plants and cares for trees and vegetation
• Properly operates and maintains equipment
• Updates records concerning materials and equipment used
• Maintains and enforces safety regulations and procedures
• Provides information to the public regarding resources, uses, rules, fees, etc.
• Assists in special event/project implementation
• Performs snow and ice removal as needed
• Performs additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

• None

Experience: 

• None

Preferred Qualifications:

•  High School Diploma or GED
•  Manual labor experience
• CPR and First Aid
• TCIA Chipper Operator Specialist
• TCIA Ground Operations Specialist

Knowledge:

• No specific knowledge required

Skills: 

• Courteous vehicle operation
• Working effectively with employees and citizens
• Maintaining a safe working environment

Abilities: 

• Learn operation of equipment and tools of assigned function
• Perform manual labor for extended periods of time
• Work independently and be self-motivated
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Handle stressful situations in a positive manner

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Current Driver's License with good driving record
• Colorado Basic Pesticide Training Certificate or ability to obtain within 2 months

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Heavy work that involves moving no more than 100 pounds with or without assistance at a time
• Continuous walking and standing to implement projects
• Continuous pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, crouching, and climbing to implement work
• Continuous hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of equipment and vehicles
• Continuous vision to read reports, manuals, written materials, instruments and gauges
• Continuous good speech communication, hearing, and listening for effective communication with others

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and fumes

Equipment Used:

• Operates equipment and vehicles common to maintenance functions (trucks, chippers, chainsaws, hand tools, power tools, stump grinder, spray rigs, etc.)
• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), database systems, GIS, etc.
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.