Technician I, Horticulture

POSITION TITLE: Technician I, Horticulture (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)

REQUISITION #: req8649

DEPARTMENT: Arts & Culture

LOCATION: GARDENS ON SPRING CREEK

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) Classified Employee Benefit Highlights

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $44,907.00 - 67,359.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $45,000.00 - $52,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 10/16/2026. At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-Offer Requirements

• Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
• Motor vehicle report

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) - eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
• Retirement + company contributions - after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Wellness program, workout facilities
• Employee/family onsite health clinic
• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
• Collaborative work environment

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

The Gardens on Spring Creek is currently seeking four full-time, benefited Horticulturist positions, Horticulture Technician I, to join our highly motivated, talented team to help strengthen the world-class botanic gardens and horticultural experiences we provide to the community. The position offers a positive and engaging environment, training, and professional growth opportunities in the green industry. The work schedule is 40 hours per week, typically Monday-Friday between the hours of 7:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. and may include some weekends and holidays as necessary.

Horticulture Technicians are responsible for performing a variety of tasks related to the cultivation, maintenance, and care of plants and gardens, including, but not limited to, working with container plantings, trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials to create visually compelling horticultural displays appropriate for the Colorado Front Range. This role typically involves tasks such as planting, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest control. Assists in the design and installation of landscape features, as well as the maintenance and repair of irrigation systems, hardscapes and seasonal tasks such as snow removal.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Performs various gardening tasks not limited to seeding, transplanting, watering, weeding, mulching, pruning, deadheading, raking, leaf blowing and sweeping.
• Maintains landscape areas including paver/brick repairs, hard/soft surface trails, cleaning and litter control to highest standards.
• Utilizes Integrated Pest Management approach and applies pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer as appropriate.
• Maintains records regarding plant accessions, plant performance and pest control methods.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs irrigation and pumping systems.
• Cleans and repairs grounds, garden structures, facility, etc.
• Performs snow removal duties.
• Safely operates and maintains small to medium-duty motor vehicles and specialized industry-related equipment.
• Responsible for adhering to, and being an example of, following proper safety rules and regulations.
• May coordinate activities with volunteer groups and community partnerships.
• Manages a flexible work schedule including hours of the day, weekends, holidays, and participates in on call rotation, if applicable.
• Availability to assist with special events, rentals and special projects as required.

Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of horticulture and landscape management.
• Ability to operate basic horticultural tools and equipment and follow safety protocols.
• Experience with garden design (beds and containers) and indoor/outdoor plant maintenance.
• Ability to identify tree, shrub, and plant species.
• Irrigation system maintenance and repair skills.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and repair a wide variety of automotive and light/medium and specialized industry-related equipment and power tools.
• Ability to do carpentry, plumbing and/or electrical work.
• Ability to identify and prioritize work tasks.
• Knowledge of workplace safety guidelines.
• Basic math skills.

Required Qualifications

MinimumPreferredHigh School Diploma or GED Associates or Bachelor's Degree in horticulture or related field; three years related experience and/or training, or combination of education and experience.

Experience Requirements

• Three (3) years related experience in horticulture, botanic gardens, parks, landscaping, natural areas or a related field.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Valid driver's license.,

The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Technician I, Horticulture

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee's protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City's respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City's commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.