City of Aurora

Aurora, Colorado, United States

Intern - Horticulture Assistant

Posted over 1 month ago

Job Description

Overall Job Objective

Summary of Job Duties

Aurora Water
Aurora Water is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems, treatment of drinking water and non-potable reclaimed wastewater for irrigation, billing and collection, public outreach and water conservation, acquisition and development of future water rights, major capital projects programs, and quality control for regulatory compliance and public health.

The Horticultural Assistant performs skilled manual and technical work involved in the maintenance of the Aurora Water-wise Garden; assists in coordinating volunteers and educating customers in water-wise principles and techniques; and assists with work planning by scheduling, organizing, and securing materials and equipment for the accomplishment of assigned tasks. The candidate will be expected to work 40 hours a week from May through September, working up to two weekend days per month.

Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. The values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the city of Aurora, we value integrity, respect, professionalism and customer service as those core values and we attribute those values to our success as an organization, both as an employer and a servant of the community. If you hold these same values, we welcome you to apply.

This position earns sick leave in accordance with the Healthy Families and Workplace Act.
This is a Seasonal position that does NOT receive benefits.

**This position is expected to be in service May through September**
Hiring Rate: $15.00/hourly

The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Maintains existing garden features
  • Operates power tools commonly used for landscape maintenance
  • Assists in facilitating volunteer work projects
  • Installs and repairs irrigation systems
  • Educates garden visitors on water-wise principles and Aurora's water conservation programs
  • Performs additional duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

  • High School diploma or GED with current enrollment in college-level horticulture, landscape architecture/design, landscape maintenance, or environmental education program with a college, university, or technical school.

Preferred Experience:
  • Horticulture, landscape maintenance, irrigation system repair and installation experience, and working in a team environment

Preferred Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of methods, techniques, and equipment used in water-wise landscaping, horticulture, and applicable safety practices and procedures.

Abilities:
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens
  • Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
  • Maintain records and logs
  • Make detailed observations of changing environments; and perform activities common to assigned maintenance function
  • Ability to work evenings as needed and at least one weekend per month
  • Ability to work in all weather conditions

Skills:
  • Must exhibit strong customer service skills
  • Proper use and understanding of tools, equipment, methods, and safety practices common to the assigned maintenance function
  • Volunteer coordination, public speaking, plant identification, and landscape design skills are highly desired

Licenses and/or Certificates:
  • Colorado driver's license with a good driving history. This position requires protective clothing including durable trousers and safety toe work boots.
  • This position may require the use of a personal cell phone and may require the occasionally use of other personal equipment during employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:

  • Moderate to heavy physical work depending upon assigned function
  • May require ability to lift a maximum of 80 pounds with assistance
  • May lift and carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds without assistance
  • Considerable walking, standing and kneeling
  • Frequently performs activities requiring a full range of body movement including bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and climbing; hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles
  • Vision to read manuals; speech communication to communicate with employees and citizens.

Work Environment:
  • Works primarily outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, noise, dust, fumes, and chemicals, and plants, animals, and invertebrates

Equipment Used:
  • Operates tools, equipment, and vehicles common to landscape maintenance and irrigation system repairs.
  • This position requires protective clothing including durable trousers and safety toe work boots.
  • This position may require the use of a personal cell phone and may require the occasional use of other personal equipment during employment.

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.

___________________________________________________________________

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, Employment References, and Education Verification:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies. Submittal of official transcripts of the most relevant/highest level of education listed on the application.
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