Small Tree Worker - Parks Steward

About the role

The City of Aurora is seeking a dedicated Parks Steward for the Open Space division. This role focuses on small tree work to maintain the health and safety of public lands.

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
• 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

Qualifications

• 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
• 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: May be required to work as essential personnel during local emergencies or disasters.
• 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: 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.

Pay and Schedule

The hiring rate for this role is $18.00/hour. This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate can work up to 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, accrue paid time off, and receive 11 paid holidays.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• Paid time off
• 11 paid holidays

Schedule

This role may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

Additional Information

• 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.
• 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.