Equipment Operator III - Horticulture Lead (Term Limited) - City of Greeley

*This position is a full-time, term-limited position funded through April 1, 2025, with the possibility of becoming permanent if additional funding is approved at a later date.  This position is benefit eligible.

Salary Range:    $30.96 - $41.83 Hourly

Job Summary:

The City of Greeley is looking for a self-driven, collaborative, professional Equipment Operator to serve as Horticultural lead for downtown Greeley landscape improvement projects. This position reports to the Public Works Crew Supervisor, and will provide team leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for downtown Greeley landscape improvement projects, offering ongoing creative design, seasonal display, and maintenance of the landscape elements in downtown Greeley.  Working collaboratively with various city departments and organizations including forestry, parks and recreation, and The Greeley Downtown Development Authority, and local downtown business owners, this is a central role in the development of the downtown area and may lead to contributing horticultural expertise in other greening projects within the city.

The successful candidate will bring their expertise in hands-on field activities, administrative tasks, as well as previous team lead/supervisory experience, including project management in the landscape industry and a passion for downtown development and community greening and beautification.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate degree in Plant Science, Horticulture, Landscape Management and Construction, or a related field (relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of education)
• Three (3) years’ experience in the following: 
  • Heavy equipment operation duties
  • Street and/or storm water activities
  • Working knowledge of City geography 
• Current Class A CDL driver's license with air brake and tanker endorsements or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire
• Traffic Control and Flaggers Certification required or ability to obtain within 90 days 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• One (1) to Three (3) years of experience in: 
  • Developing contract proposals, estimating and budget management Advanced concrete experience including setting, grade, forms, and finishing; 
  • Advanced skills in welding and fabrication; carpentry; chemical weed sprays; and asphalt placement preferred 
• Three (3) years’ supervisory experience 
• Five (5) years' experience in botany and horticulture
• Pesticide Applicators License in Colorado or the ability to obtain upon hire

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the business and organizational structure of Colorado municipalities.
• Collaboration skills, including the ability to work with others from different areas and backgrounds to reach a common goal. 
• Computer skills, including the ability to utilize Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and learn and experiment with new software and systems.
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between others.
• Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and convey messages, information, concepts, and details accurately and clearly.
• Organizational skills, including the ability to set and meet goals and deadlines, manage appointments, create schedules, coordinate, and facilitate meetings, and make decisions.  
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple concurrent and competing tasks and responsibilities, and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining personal effectiveness
• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and stay on task when completing special projects and daily assignments.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and reliable professional judgment, as well as collaboratively with a team to achieve desired results.
• Ability to maintain a strong work ethic, positive problem-solving attitude, and enthusiasm for the work performed.
• Ability to self-start and take initiative in completing daily tasks and special projects.
• Ability to focus on activities that have the greatest impact on meeting work commitments.
• Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with a variety of internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages.
• Ability to navigate a complex political environment.
• Excellent communication skills for leading teams and meeting contractors or organizing jobs.
• Excellent customer service skills in serving the public.
• Attention to safety.
• Ability to make decisions, direct teams, and complete tasks with little or no supervision.
• Knowledge and understanding of City functions and processes in order to answer questions via phone and in the field.
• Ability to manage competing priorities with inflexible deadlines.
• Ability to solve a variety of problems in situations where there are substantially diversified procedures.
• Ability to use the following equipment:
  • Loader, motor grader, backhoe, skid steer, sewer cleaner, street sweeper, dozer, tractor with attachments, asphalt roller, single/tandem axle dump trucks (w/o spreader and plow), single/tandem axle flush trucks, bucket truck, semi tractor with trailer, two-way radios, computers, computerized/automated equipment controls, gas detection monitors, tripod and harness for confined space entry, radio detection equipment, Mig-Tig wireless welder, plasma cutter, drill press.
• Ability to calculate the amount of material needed for projects, i.e., concrete, asphalt, base, dirt, and rock; researching for new products that are available; ordering materials for assigned projects. 
• Ability to enter work orders into CityWorks software.
• Excellent knowledge of City of Greeley geography.
• Follows proper safety practices, procedures, and fellow team members, i.e., work zone setup, traffic control, personal protective equipment, etc.  Makes safety suggestions as appropriate
• Safely operates and maintains a variety of heavy equipment.
• Trains team members on the operation, maintenance, and safety of heavy equipment
• Completes paperwork accurately, i.e., work orders time sheets, etc.
• Works independently and as part of a team.
• Serves as team leader for teams in a variety of activities.
• Effectively communicates in verbal and written form with citizens, supervisor, team members and other City employees.
• Understands and follows City, Department and Division Policies & Procedures.
• Uses good judgment in decisions regarding the operation of heavy equipment and Street/Stormwater Maintenance activities.
• Answers citizens’ questions, respond to their complaints and notify citizens of impending work, i.e., hand out flyers, assisting with traffic control during traffic accidents Respond to overtime work and after-hour calls at all times. Participate as an on-call person.
• Operates all the Division inventory of equipment proficiently and safely, including the following:  
  • Loader, motor grader, backhoe, skid steer, sewer cleaner, street sweeper, dozer, tractor with attachments, asphalt roller, single/tandem axle dump trucks (w/o spreader and plow), single/tandem axle flush trucks, bucket truck, semi tractor with trailer, two-way radios, computers, computerized/automated equipment controls, gas detection monitors, tripod and harness for confined space entry, radio detection equipment, Mig-Tig wireless welder, plasma cutter, drill press.
• Solves a variety of problems in situations where there are substantially diversified procedures, specialized standards, and only limited standardization. 
• Changing priorities or differing situations requires the employee to consider which among many procedures should be followed in what sequence to achieve the required job results.
• Requires reasoning to produce a practical course of action within the established process.
• Assists with trouble shooting problems as they arise.
• Makes decisions during the absence of a Supervisor to offer suggestions on assignment tasks.
• Prioritizes projects to enhance productivity.
• Develops and monitors program goals to attain them.
• Serves as the main point of contact with citizens in the field.
• Makes changes in the field due to inclement weather conditions., i.e., stop chemical spraying due to high winds; cancel concrete pour when subgrade does not meet proper compaction, and stop all projects when there are safety concerns for the team or citizens.
• Makes changes in traffic control patterns to ensure the safety for citizens and team members
• Serves on-call point for emergencies on a rotational basis. 
• Monitors team members in the field with their assigned projects (including working in inclement weather); fills in for Supervisor when Supervisor takes leave time. 
• Operates riding mower, tractor w/rear and wing mowers, seeder, and chemical sprayer attachments which includes the knowledge of chemicals used and application rates. 
• Assists Crew Supervisor with scheduling equipment for repairs with Equipment Maintenance Division, maintenance of Right-of-Ways, and detention pond spraying and mowing, clean Right-of-Ways, and islands. Complete minor mower maintenance repairs i.e., change blades and replace bearings. 
• Assigns teams areas to repair potholes. Complete daily and monthly reports. The goal is to repair all potholes within 48 hours 90% of the time. 
• Serves as the Team Leader completing maintenance of alleys, graveled streets, and shoulders, which includes cleaning, hauling gravel and trash, reconstruction, and tree trimming. Building demolitions, homeless clean-up, Spring Clean-up, proficient in forming and finishing concrete, read blueprints, and read grade stakes. 
• Completes and submits permits to Engineering Division for approval, and complete traffic control designs and submit to the Traffic Division for approval. Complete all welding and fabrication needs for the Division. Complete asphalt screening and selling program and operation of scale. Overseeing minor and major concrete projects in the field.
• Serves as the Team leader when completing snow removal per district using front and wing plow and de-icing with computerized control system. sidewalk snow removal, operating grader to clean snow and ice from downtown, operating snow blower to load snow, hauling snow and ice, and cleaning city-owned parking lots. Works with contractors that are hired to haul snow from downtown and main arterials. 
• Conducts daily communication meetings, snow training, team meetings, monthly ten-minute safety videos, safety workshops and Equipment and Personnel Protective Equipment training. 
• Attends and may conduct mandatory and voluntary training - City required, proper traffic control, flagger certified, defensive driving, hazardous material, confined space, seminars, videos, workshops, and conferences. Team leader provides all in-house equipment operating training for all Equipment Operator I's and maintenance tech team members. 
• Completes daily work orders and inputs them into the CityWorks work order system, completes monthly pothole patching report, updates the Division Operational Manual yearly. 
• Completes and submits permits to Engineering Division for approval, and traffic control designs and submit to the Traffic Division for approval. 
• Safely operates and maintains variety of light equipment for Street Division.
• Completes paperwork accurately, i.e., work orders, times sheets, etc.
• Answers citizen questions, respond to complaints or direct them to others who can help.
• Works independently and as part of a team.
• Serves occasionally as a team leader in variety of street/drainage maintenance activities and projects.
• Effectively communicates both verbally and in writing with supervisor, team members, other city employees and citizens.
• Understands and follows city, department, and division policies and procedures and use good judgment in decisions regarding operation of light equipment and street/drainage maintenance
• Works overtime and respond to after-hour calls, particularly during emergencies and inclement weather, as well as serve as on-call person on a rotational basis.

Essential Functions (Duties and Responsibilities):

• Assists in directing and participating in landscape operations in downtown Greeley, including installation, maintenance, and stewardship of landscape projects, through effective planning, delegation, and monitoring.
• Oversees downtown Greeley's planting beds, hanging baskets, and container displays by planning, monitoring, and participating in or delegating regular tasks to a landscapes team and/or volunteers on a year-round basis.
• Provides direction and scheduling to landscape team members in a manner that advances the skills and abilities of individual members, with varying degrees of experience and knowledge, including students and volunteers.
• Collaborates as needed for downtown events.
• Promotes and enforces high standards of horticultural and ecological practice and professional conduct, communication, attitude, and appearance for all team members while working in the community.
• Assists in managing applicable sections of the budget to support overall budget projections and tracking.
• Ability to coach team members in all aspects of horticulture from watering, plant ID, installation, and maintenance, to the proper and safe use of landscape related equipment.
• Ability to coach and enforce safe work practices in a variety of settings including public rights-of-way, roadsides, and landscapes.
• Current driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to operate city vehicles.
• Excellent knowledge of plant identification, plant use and proper horticultural practices.
• Enthusiasm and interest in initiatives such as workforce and downtown development, and community greening and beautification.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• No supervisory responsibility.  Serves as a Team Leader in a variety of settings.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

• Frequently works in an outdoor environment subject to severe weather conditions of extreme heat and cold.
• Frequently works in or around equipment, traffic, materials, and chemicals with fumes, noise, dust, dirt, heat, vibration, flying objects, etc.
• Frequently works in or around equipment in potentially dangerous situations, i.e., traffic, work zones, steep ditch confined space, trenches, overhead/underground utilities, snow, and ice-covered streets, etc. Frequently lift or force weights up to 15 pounds.  Regularly lift or force weights of 30-50 pounds, and occasionally lift or force weights of 50-100 pounds.
• Manual dexterity is required to complete work tasks through safe and proper operation of hand tools, power tools, motorized equipment, and confined space entry.
• Frequently sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing, pushing, pulling, reaching, etc.
• Possess the strength and stamina to frequently shovel and rake asphalt during an 8-12-hour shift. Other tasks include laying pipe, concrete work, patching asphalt, rip-rapping ditches, trimming trees, mowing, and spraying weeds, cleaning storm sewer inlets, etc.
• Safely move equipment and/or materials over uneven surfaces and terrain in varying environmental conditions.
• Use hand and foot controls in light equipment operations.
• Sit for long periods of time in equipment (4-6-hour durations).
• Vision and hearing sufficient to operate a variety of light equipment in traffic and work zones.
• Communication skills enough to hear and convey information to/from the public via telephone and in person.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Vision enough to interpret computer screens and documents to assist the public and complete work assignments, specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EOE Statement: The City of Greeley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

ADA Statement: We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting.  Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at: HR@Greeleygov.com .

Conditions of Employment: Candidates must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings and employment eligibility verification. Pre-employment screenings include a drug test, a background and national sex offender search, a motor vehicle record search, and for some positions, a physical demands evaluation. For more information about City policies and practices during the recruitment process, including but not limited to EOE, Reasonable Accommodation, and pre-employment screenings, please visit our career page HERE.