What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forestry and Open Space Technician I II III position at Town of Parker, CO?
Job Summary
Want to do meaningful work that has a real impact on the community? Please come join the Forestry and Open Space Department as a Forestry and Open Space Technician I II III. Our mission is to maintain a friendly, hometown atmosphere. We place a premium on teamwork and participation, while encouraging creativity and individual initiative. We believe that through collaboration, leadership can occur at all levels. We take our commitments seriously and strive to reach positive solutions. Whether you are joining us for three years or twenty, you will have the opportunity to grow your career with us. We offer training courses and work diligently with our team members to enhance their skill sets to progress their careers. In addition to growth and educational opportunities, we offer a Flexible Work Arrangement program for qualifying positions, as well as a fantastic benefit package that includes our Employee Assistance Program focused on work/life balance and overall well-being. We would be honored to have you join the Town of Parker family!
Under general supervision, this position is responsible for performing a variety of tasks in the maintenance and operation of the Town’s urban forest, open space, trails, medians, and building grounds.
*This position performs duties deemed to be safety sensitive. Employees holding this position participate in pre-employment and random drug testing under Town’s policies*
Examples of Essential Duties
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties. The below list is intended to be illustrative of the responsibilities of this position and is not all encompassing. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and the Town may change these duties at any time.
- Ensures the Town’s urban forest, open space, and trails are maintained in excellent condition.
- Participates in a rotation program through multiple properties, ensuring skill development and effective/efficient coverage.
- Participates in snow removal of town parking lots, trails, sidewalks, residential streets, and other areas as assigned; participates in the setup, teardown, and cleanup of special events.
- Services and maintains assigned equipment and makes minor mechanical adjustments and repairs on related equipment which includes checking/servicing fuel, oil, and coolant levels; maintains tire pressure and general appearance; takes necessary steps to bring equipment up to operating standards; prepares and maintains usage records.
- Performs all aspects of care of urban forestry maintenance including trees and shrubs, removal, design, identification, ordering, planting, and pesticide application.
- Performs all aspects of care of open space maintenance including trash cleanup, mowing, vegetation and weed control, general/light construction (i.e., fencing), pest control, erosion control, and pesticide application.
- Performs all aspects of trail care including trash cleanup, mowing, vegetation and weed control, pest control, trimming, sweeping, amenity installation, and pesticide application.
- Ensures compliance with all Town policies and procedures and all divisional rules and regulations.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, certification and/or licensure required. An equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the essential duties and meet the necessary employment standards may be considered.
Technician I/II/III
18 years of age or older, with a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid Driver's License issued by the State of Colorado for the type of vehicle or equipment operated; safe driving record and a minimum of two (2) years of driving history.
Employees within Forestry and Open Space Technician position series are eligible to participate in a self-initiated progression program for promotional advancement through technician levels. Below are the distinguishing characteristicsfor each level:
Technician I:
This is an entry-level position within the Forestry and Open Space Division’s technician series. This position is distinguished from the Technician II by the performance of limited and routine tasks and duties assigned. Technician I is typically utilized as a training platform for employees having only limited or no related work experience.
This level prefers six (6) months of experience in forestry and open space or a closely related field.
This level requires knowledge and competent demonstration of the following within 6 (six) months of hire: Knowledge of tree inventory, open space, and trail locations; fundamental and basic open space and trail maintenance; effective communication.
This level requires the following certifications be obtained withing one (1) year of hire: Flagger Certification, CPR/First Aid/AED Certification
Technician II:
This is a mid-level position within the Forestry and Open Space Division’s technician series. This position is distinguished from Technician I by the performance of the full range of tasks and duties assigned. The Technician II receives only occasional instruction or assistance and is fully aware of the operating procedures and policies associated with the Division. Movement to/or placement in a Technician II role presumes all requirements of a Technician I (or the equivalent) have been met.
This level requires one (1) year of experience as a Forestry and Open Space Technician I or two (2) years of equivalent experience outside the Town of Parker.
This level requires knowledge and competent demonstration of the following within six (6) months of hire: Moderate knowledge of open space and trail maintenance, and routine and basic tree maintenance techniques; basic knowledge and ability to climb; ability to perform most tasks independently.
This level requires the following certifications be initiated within six (6) months of hire and obtained within one (1) year of hire: Class B CDL with tanker endorsement and air brakes.
This level requires the following certification be initiated within one (1) year of hire and obtained within eighteen (18) months of hire: Certified Operator Colorado Pesticide Applicators License in Turf and Right of Way
Technician III:
This is an upper-level position within the Forestry and Open Space Division’s technician series. This position is distinguished from the Technician II by years of experience, additional licenses and certifications, performance of the full range of tasks and duties assigned. The Technician III receives limited instruction or assistance and is fully aware of the operating procedures and policies associated with the Division. Movement to/or placement in a Technician III role presumes all requirements of a Technician II (or the equivalent) have been met.
This level requires two (2) years of experience as a Forestry and Open Space Technician II for the Town of Parker, or four (4) years of equivalent experience outside the Town of Parker in forestry and open space maintenance operations supplemented by two (2) years of snow removal experience.
This level requires knowledge and competent demonstration of the following within 6 (six) months of hire: Advanced knowledge of open space and trail maintenance; moderate knowledge and ability to climb; advanced tree maintenance techniques; ability to perform all daily assignments independently.
This level requires the following certifications be initiated within one (1) year of hire and obtained within eighteen (18) months of hire: Colorado Department of Agriculture Qualified Supervisor Pesticide Applicator’s License in Turf and Right of Way, NIMS 100
Employment Standards
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Knowledge of equipment, materials, techniques, and supplies used in the maintenance of trees and open space.
- Knowledge of tree and plant identification.
- Knowledge of proper tree and shrub pruning and removal techniques.
- Knowledge of best practices, techniques, and safety utilized in forestry and open space management.
- Knowledge of climbing techniques, equipment, and standards.
- Skill in the use of computers and various software programs.
- Skills in verbal and written communication.
- Ability to operate and maintain heavy landscape and construction equipment such as mowers, backhoes, tractors, compressors, dump trucks, bucket trucks, and woodchippers.
- Ability to operate and maintain small/light equipment such as weed eaters, blowers, shovels, rakes, shop equipment, and power tools.
- Ability to work independently in the absence of supervision.
- Ability to coordinate activities and cooperatively work with Town Departments, agencies, organizations, and individuals.
- Ability to work irregular hours or on-call weekends, evenings, holidays, and/or during emergency situations related to maintenance; carries an emergency pager and responds to emergency calls as necessary as part of a rotation.
- Ability to pass a pre-employment background check.
Additional Information
Forestry & Open Space Technician I:
Hiring range: $23.33-$27.41
Full salary range: $23.33-$31.49Forestry & Open Space Technician II:
Hiring range: $25.19-$29.60
Full salary range: $25.19-$34.01
Forestry & Open Space Technician III:
Hiring range: $26.64-$31.97
Full salary range: $26.64-$37.30
Hiring Timeline
Position closes: 2/11/2025
First Interviews: Week of 2/3/2025
Second Interviews/Decision: Week of 2/17/2025
Potential Hire Dates: 3/3 or 3/17
Working Conditions
The working conditions described below are representative of those an employee generally encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform their essential duties.
Tools & Equipment
Requires regular use of hand tools, various electric and gas-operated tools and equipment used in the maintenance and operation of forestry and open space, including, but not limited to, various trucks, bucket trucks, woodchippers, chain saws, climbing equipment, tractors, loaders, backhoes, trenchers, snow removal equipment, first aid equipment, computer, computer software, and an automobile.
Physical Demands
Requires regular sitting, standing, walking, talking, handling, feeling or operating objects, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Requires reaching with hands and arms, climbing and balancing. Requires physical activity with heavy lifting, up to fifty (50) pounds, and occasionally carrying, pulling, pushing, or lifting more than one hundred (100) pounds with assistance. Employee must communicate clearly and effectively; must understand and be understood. Employee must be able to consistently see with near and far acuity, depth perception, color vision and field vision. Specific vision abilities required include close and distance vision acuity, night vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust his or her focus, allowing a broad field of vision.
Environment
Work is frequently performed in indoor and outdoor conditions with varying temperatures. The noise level in this environment is moderate to loud with frequent high levels and vibrations. Occasional exposure to fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals, bodily fluids, dead and/or decaying animal carcasses, wet or humid conditions, hot or cold conditions (some may be extreme), or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts in high, precarious places, and may encounter mechanical or electrical hazards.
You may enroll in the Town of Parker benefits if you are classified as a full-time employee and have completed the eligibility waiting period of 30 days. Coverage will begin the first of the month following 30 days of employment. The generous benefits package includes: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance, voluntary term life insurance, 401(a) retirement plan, 457 retirement plan, holiday pay, vacation, sick leave, educational assistance program, employee assistance program and a family membership to the Parker Recreation Center and/or Field House. Benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of those plans and the summary plan descriptions, which are subject to annual budget and appropriations by Town Council.
Salary : $23 - $31
