Field Worker - Horticulture

CITY EQUITY STATEMENT
The City of Westminster welcomes diverse candidates from the broadest base possible. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the job-someone who belongs, not just fits. We value life and professional experiences, recognizing equivalent combinations of knowledge skills and education.

Aligned with our city SPIRIT values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population of residents and must respect and uphold the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role, even if you believe you have a less traditional background than described we invite you to apply.

POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Field Worker is a part-time, hourly position that works in the Parks, Golf and Open Space Division. This position is responsible for assisting with plant propagation and care in the greenhouse, greenhouse housekeeping, planting, weeding, deadheading, watering, and fertilizing garden displays throughout the City. This position may be required to work independently and to sometimes oversee seasonal staff and volunteers. This position is physically demanding in nature with exposure to extreme weather conditions. This position may work four 10-hour days during the week (Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday) however hours may vary with possible weekend, holiday, and special events.

Benefits as a result of working in this position, you will:

• Further skills in greenhouse production, landscaping and horticulture
• Develop leadership skills by helping oversee landscape projects and performing routine greenhouse housekeeping, sanitizing, crop production and growing
• Further ornamental plant and weed ID skills
• Enhance the customer service of patrons by providing excellent park and facility grounds conditions
• Build knowledge of small and medium equipment operation
• Work outside with extraordinary Colorado views
• Enjoy free access to City of Westminster Recreation Facilities

The availability of work hours for this position will be determined by these factors: program length, weather, and budget. 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.

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. This position works toward the accomplishment of the department’s mission: Together we create exceptional opportunities for a vibrant community with a commitment to nature, wellness and literacy.

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

• Demonstrate knowledge of practices used in ornamental plant production, planting and garden maintenance
• Safely operate trucks and a variety of hand tools and light equipment
• Demonstrate understanding and importance of safety rules and procedures
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Demonstrate the ability to take care of equipment and tools
• Work independently and in a team environment and show initiative to complete tasks
• Assist the public and City staff in a friendly and helpful manner and establish effective working relationships

All employees are expected to provide excellent customer service, communicate in an effective manner both verbally and in writing, display professionalism and integrity, work efficiently, effectively and accurately, work independently and as part of a team, take initiative, solve problems, display good judgment, take ownership for delivering a high quality product or service, have regular and punctual attendance, and effectively handle emergency situations.

JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks
1. Assists with greenhouse plant production which may include the following:

• Seed sowing and seedling transplanting, vegetative propagation, up-potting, monitoring plants for insects and diseases as well as watering needs
• Communicating observations to supervisor
• Planting annual and perennial plugs as well as poinsettia plugs
• Greenhouse sanitation chores: keeping floors free of weeds, benches free of plant debris, workspaces clean and organized

2. Assists with the City’s annual and perennial gardens which may include the following:

• Preparing gardens with soil amendments, rototilling, weeding, mulching with gravel
• Planting gardens
• Routine garden maintenance: weeding, deadheading, edging, watering, fertilizing
• Trash removal from gardens and greenhouse grounds

3. Possesses a valid driver’s license and maintains a safe driving record
4. Maintains regular and punctual attendance

Other Duties and Responsibilities
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
• Prior industry experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Daily maintenance of parks, greenhouses, and/or gardens
• Operating light equipment and tools such as pick-up trucks, hedge trimmers, blowers, tillers, various hand tools
• Planting, pruning, irrigating, fertilizing, and maintaining flower gardens
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record

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

Physical Requirements
Work is physical in nature and requires sufficient physical strength and stamina to:

• Occasionally sit while driving to work assignments and performing office tasks; frequently stand and constantly walk on uneven terrain in all weather conditions to safely complete assigned tasks
• Occasional squatting, twisting, climbing, and balancing to inspect assigned areas
• Frequent bending, kneeling, and reaching to perform greenhouse and garden tasks
• Frequent light/firm grasp to properly use tools and equipment; occasional fine manipulation used to perform greenhouse and gardening tasks
• Occasional stepping up and/or down to enter and exit vehicles and climb ladders; constant actuate mechanisms to safely operate heavy equipment and vehicles
• Standard near and/or far acuity and hearing
• Occasional lifting of up to fifty (50) pounds from ground to waist to move material and supplies; constant carrying of up to twenty-five (25) pounds at waist level to use weed clearing equipment and shovel gravel mulch

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is constantly performed indoors and outdoors with constant exposure to extreme temperatures year-round. Position is responsible for the care and maintenance of greenhouses, greenhouse grounds, and landscaping/gardens throughout City

Required Materials and Equipment
Pick-up truck, hand tools, rototillers, sod cutters, pruners, chain saws, general maintenance equipment, water equipment, and other equipment as necessary. Depending on the project, may also utilize small tools such as hammers, saws, measuring tape, levels, drills, and power tools to complete assigned responsibilities.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must be legally entitled to work in the United States and must successfully pass a criminal background check, driving record check, reference check, and substance screen. There may be additional pre-employment requirements depending on the nature of the position.
We are a caring, courteous, team-oriented organization committed to public service excellence. Employees thrive in a culture that is respectful, professional and diverse. Our work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees. Westminster is a drug-free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Westminster, Colorado, is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and aims to have its workforce reflect the community.

Employees not assigned benefits are employees working less than 20 hours a week, temporary employees, seasonal employees, and hourly employees.

Closing Date/Time: 3/3/2025 8:30 AM Mountain

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• City of Westminster, Colorado

• 303-658-2150

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