Parks Crew Lead

JOB LOCATION

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

Aurora Parks Operations leaders embody CORE 4 values including integrity, respect, professionalism, and customer service. Grounds maintenance and irrigation mastery keeps city spaces pristine and functional for the community. Three years of experience and strong supervisory skills prepare individuals for this essential leadership position. Diplomacy and interpersonal skills facilitate effective collaboration with diverse crews and citizens. Essential personnel ensure community safety by managing equipment and projects through all weather conditions.

The hiring range for this position is $28.28 - $35.35/hour.

Salary to be commensurate with experience. 

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:

• At least 3 years progressively responsible related experience, including at least 1 year of supervisory or lead work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in landscape and turf maintenance
• Experience in operating and maintaining irrigation systems
• Experience in pesticide application
• Experience in operating equipment for maintaining parks

Knowledge:

• Possesses thorough knowledge of equipment operation and practices
• Methods, materials, equipment, and operating procedures utilized in the assigned functions
• Agronomic and grounds maintenance practices including irrigation, turfgrass management, fertilization, and integrated pest management
• Hazards and safety practices common to machinery and equipment utilized
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment and maintenance tools
• Project management principles
• Effect of weather conditions on maintenance needs and procedures
• Policies and procedures for record keeping
• Snow removal procedures

Skills:

• Use of mobile software applications
• Working effectively with employees and citizens
• Ability to operate and train staff on equipment operation
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Handle complaints and concerns of citizens with tact and diplomacy
• Maintain tools, equipment, and vehicles
• Prioritize, coordinate, and make work assignments
• Safe and effective use of equipment and supplies
• Operation of equipment and tools of assigned function
• Strong interpersonal skills

Abilities:

• Handles and resolves complaints and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials
• Effectively oversee a diverse workforce
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Current Driver's License with good driving record
• Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or ability to obtain within 6 months
• Certified Operator pesticide license or ability to obtain in 6 months

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

• Irrigation Association CIT and CLIA
• QWEL
• National Association of Landscape Professionals (softscape, turf, irrigation, ornamental, and principles of turfgrass)
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector
• Certified Pool Operator

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 and oversee projects
• Continuous pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, crouching, and climbing to inspect work sites and 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
• Occasional supervision and training of employees and communicating with citizens

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and fumes

Equipment Used:

• Operates equipment and vehicles common to maintenance functions
• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, and Excel
• 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.