Small Tree Worker - Parks Steward

JOB LOCATION

13645 E Ellsworth Ave Aurora, Colorado 80012-1331

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

The City of Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department seeks a dedicated Parks Steward for the Open Space division. This vital role focuses specifically on small tree work to maintain the health and safety of our natural environments. You will serve as an integral team member responsible for the direct stewardship and maintenance of public lands. Your daily efforts will provide healthy habitats for local plants and animals while creating safe outdoor experiences for our community. We need a hardworking individual passionate about environmental conservation and active outdoor maintenance.

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

Position overview

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
• Performs work to complete special functions with all user groups and between city departments
• Performs snow and ice removal as needed
• Performs additional duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

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

Education: 

• High School diploma or GED

Experience: 

• 6 months manual labor experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPR and First Aid
• If employed in the Forestry division, TCIA Chipper Operator Specialist & TCIA Ground Operations Specialist

Knowledge:

• Applicable safety practices and procedures
• Methods, materials, equipment, and operating procedures utilized in the assigned functions
• Effect of weather conditions on maintenance needs and procedures

Skills: 

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

Abilities: 

• Operation of equipment and tools of assigned function
• Perform manual labor for extended periods of time
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Current Driver's License with good driving record
• If employed in the Open Space division, 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:

• If employed in the Forestry division, operates equipment and vehicles common to maintenance functions (trucks, chippers, chainsaws, hand tools, power tools, stump grinder, spray rigs, etc.)
• If employed in the Parks division, operates zero-turn mowers, string trimmers, push mowers, edgers, and other park maintenance equipment
• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), database systems, GIS, etc.

This role 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.