Water Conservation Programs Specialist - Horticulture Assistant

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

Hiring Salary: $24.35 - $30.43/hour

The deadline to submit an application for this position is March 1, 2026. However, it is subject to close at any time once a qualified pool of applications is obtained.

This is a seasonal position with a target start date in early April and an anticipated end date in mid-October.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Water Conservation Horticulture Program Specialist – Horticulture Assistant is an exciting opportunity to work outside and use your skills to educate others on water-wise landscapes. This position maintains the Aurora Water-wise Garden—a highly visible, public-facing garden maintained to botanic garden standards—by applying appropriate horticultural practices; training, leading, and working with volunteers; and assisting with research projects and data collection to provide Aurora Water customers information and education in water-wise landscapes and plant material.

This is a temporary, 40 hour-per-week Variable Hour Non-Benefits Eligible position. This position reports to the Water Conservation Specialist – Water-wise Garden and Landscapes lead.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Executes horticultural and maintenance tasks efficiently and thoroughly, including weeding, mulching, watering, planting, pruning dead heading, seed collecting, compost, trash and herbicide application; Impeccably maintains pathways, beds, and common areas to keep free of weeds, litter, and debris
• Trains, leads, and works with volunteers up to 3 times per week, clearly setting expectations, providing direction, and addressing safety, task quality, or conduct issues with professionalism and respect
• Obtains materials for and installs new garden beds or other construction projects.
• Conducts irrigation monitoring, data collection, and repairs
• Assists with data collection including plant monitoring, phenology, pollinator identification and counting, compost monitoring, and general record keeping using ArcGIS, Field Maps, and Excel
• Applies extensive knowledge of horticultural techniques, Integrated Pest Management strategies, pruning techniques, and seed collection/storage practices
• Educates garden visitors and customers on water-wise principles and water conservation programs
• Utilizes open communication to maintain positive relationships with team members, visitors, volunteers, lead, and supervisor
• Aids in coaching two Horticultural Interns
• Supports Water Conservation in hosting special and educational events in the garden with set-up, tear down, and clean up
• Performs other related 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: 

• 2 years college and/or associate degree related to horticulture, soil sciences, natural resources management or a directly related field

Experience: 

• At least 2 years of experience in horticulture, environmental resources, volunteer leading, Colorado landscaping and/or irrigation installation or repair
• Demonstrates knowledge of common and exotic water-wise plants, Colorado natives, and native cultivars.
• Experience in executing multiple projects and prioritizing responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 years volunteer management experience
• Experience with ArcGIS and Field Maps
• Colorado Master Gardener or Native Plant Master certification

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of water conservation methodologies, Colorado or western water issues, horticultural best practices, water-wise plants, design concepts, volunteer management best practices
• Knowledge of pesticide and herbicide application

Skills: 

• Must exhibit strong customer service skills, interpersonal communication and collaboration skills
• Proper use and understanding of tools, equipment, methods, and safety practices common to the assigned maintenance function
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills are required
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Abilities: 

• Ability to be organized, creative, and effective when priorities change rapidly due to changing conditions
• Communicate effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing
• Make detailed observations of changing environments and maintain accurate records
• Ability to work independently and exercise reasonable judgment in decision making with minimal supervision
• Maintain a teamwork environment
• Ability to work in all weather conditions

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Colorado driver’s license with a good driving history

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:

• Frequently performs medium physical work that involves moving no more than 50 pounds at a time with or without assistance
• Infrequently performs heavy physical work that involves moving no more than 100 pounds at a time with or without assistance
• Frequently performs activities requiring a full range of body movement including bending, stooping, kneeling, pushing, pulling, and climbing
• Hand-eye and hand-foot coordination for operation of tools, equipment, and vehicle
• Vision to read manuals; speech communication to communicate with employees and citizens

Work Environment:

• Works primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions with potential exposure to noise, dust, fumes, chemicals, and animals including stinging insects

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, and Excel
• Operates tools, equipment, and vehicles common to landscape maintenance and irrigation system repairs
• This position requires protective clothing including durable trousers and sturdy work boots
• This position may require the use of personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, etc.) in the course of 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.