Open Space Steward II

POSITION PURPOSE
The Open Space Steward II is a skilled to semi-skilled laborer who is involved in equipment operation, construction and mechanical work of a primarily physically demanding nature. Work involves responsibility for performing a variety of tasks with a major emphasis on general open space maintenance including trail systems management, landscape construction, natural areas maintenance and restoration, and snow removal. Position may require availability to work some weekends as part of a regular schedule as well as periodic overtime.

The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – People – Integrity – Respect – Innovation – Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, which enhances the quality of life for all Westminster citizens by providing diverse leisure, recreational, and informational services, and resources; and acquiring, developing, and maintaining first-class parks, facilities, open space, and trails.

Every employee is accountable to:

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product

Job Specific – Every employee in this position must be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of equipment, material, and practices used for general open space maintenance, construction, and trail work
• Apply applicable safety rules and procedures
• Operate light and heavy equipment and City vehicles safely
• Perform facility and grounds maintenance on open space areas
• Remove snow at public facilities when necessary
• Preserve Open Space lands and facilities
• Attend meetings and staff division sponsored events and programs
• Professionally interact with seasonal employees helping direct work and monitoring employee safety

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks
1.   Provides for the safety of the public and staff by recognizing and mitigating hazards, by employing precautions common to parks and building maintenance
2.  Performs Open Space construction including:

• Building and maintaining soft and hard surface trails
• Conducting basic carpentry and masonry tasks
• Implement a variety of construction related projects and repairs for Open Space structures and amenities
• Trailhead development and parking lot installation and repair

3.   Performs grounds maintenance of City’s open space system and native sites, including:

• Mowing open space areas on a scheduled basis
• Planting and maintaining trees and shrubs
• Installation and maintenance of irrigation systems
• Installation and maintenance of erosion control measures
• Application of herbicides and pesticides as needed
• Assisting with lake and pond management
• Performing wildlife control and habitat improvement techniques

4.   Preserves cleanliness of City’s open space system, including:

• Assuring facilities and amenities meet high customer service expectations
• Removing trash from open space
• Cleaning underpasses and trail systems

5.   Reads and follows proper herbicide/pesticide application guidelines, including MSDS
6.   Leads seasonal employees and assists Crewleader in assigning duties as well as in reviewing work and monitoring employee safety
7.   Possesses a valid driver’s license; operates City vehicles in a safe and responsible manner, including driving in all weather conditions; and possesses or is able to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License within six (6) months of employment
8.   Possesses a valid State of Colorado Pesticide Applicator’s License including Rangeland Pest Control and Industrial and Right of Way Weed Control or is able to obtain one within six (6) months of employment
9.   Maintains regular and punctual attendance
Other Duties and Responsibilities
1.   Snow removal at public facilities when needed
2.   Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretionEducation, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
Required:

• Graduation from high school or GED
• Possess previous experience in open space, trails, or native land maintenance
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and safe driving record throughout employment, with a valid Class B Commercial Driver License obtained prior to or within six (6) months of employment

Preferred:

• Previous experience in parks, trails or natural areas maintenance
• Knowledge of and experience with basic construction, masonry and equipment operation
• Possession of a State of Colorado Pesticide Applicator’s License prior, and experience in pesticide application
• Ability to direct and set example for a small group of seasonal employees in the accomplishment of specific tasks
• Capability and desire to enroll in educational classes in open space, trail construction, and related topics

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.

Physical Requirements
Work is physical in nature and requires sufficient physical strength and stamina to:

• Occasionally sit while driving to work assignments and performing office tasks; frequently stand and constantly walk on uneven terrain in all weather conditions to safely complete assigned tasks
• Occasional squatting, twisting, climbing, and balancing to inspect assigned areas and perform snow removal
• Frequent bending, kneeling, and reaching below shoulder to perform irrigation repair and park maintenance
• Frequent light/firm grasp to properly use tools and equipment; occasional fine manipulation use to perform office duties; constant handling to use safely use machinery and heavy equipment
• Occasional stepping up and/or down to enter and exit vehicles and climb ladders; constant actuate mechanism to safely operate heavy equipment and vehicles
• Standard near and/or far acuity and hearing
• Occasional lifting of up to fifty (50) pounds from ground to waist to move material and supplies; constant carrying of up to twenty-five (25) pounds at waist level to use weed clearing equipment; occasional carrying of up to fifty (50) pounds to use a backpack sprayer; frequent pushing and/or pulling of up to 100 pounds to use a painter

 
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is constantly performed indoors and outdoors with constant exposure to extreme temperatures year-round. Position is responsible for the maintenance of all City right-of-ways, forestry, and open space sites throughout the year. Snow removal at City facilities, parks, and trails is done when needed.

Required Materials and Equipment
Operates light and heavy equipment such as pick-up truck, small dump truck, tandem dump truck, skid loader, tractors, horticultural hand tools, pruners, self-propelled, walk-behind mowers, riding mowers, snow blowers, 20-foot trailers, water equipment, equipment to maintain trails, and other equipment as necessary. Depending on the project, may also use basic carpentry tools, power equipment, chippers and chainsaws to complete assigned responsibilities.
 
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Background checks will include employment references and criminal history, and when applicable, credit check, driver license record, and education verification
• Drug screen
• Physical
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States

Salary : $55,411 - $70,970