Parks Maintenance Operator (Forestry)

*Up to $3,000 Sign On Bonus May Be Available*

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The application must be filled out completely; stating"see resume"anywhere in the application, is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Enjoy Industry Leading Benefits:

• Generous paid vacation and extended sick leave, and holidays.
• Free and discounted transportation options to get around Aspen and the Valley.
• Professional development and learning opportunities, including a tuition reimbursement program.
• Health and wellbeing options that include Medical, Dental, Vision, robust and accessible employee assistance program, and nationally recognized wellbeing platform.
• Monetary bonuses for healthy lifestyle choices and to use towards other personal needs.
• Plan for your future with competitive employer contributions to a 401a retirement plans and Social Security, in addition to an individual 457b retirement plan and Roth IRA option. Have peace of mind with life and disability insurance.

The City of Aspen is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Title: Parks Maintenance Operator (Forestry)
Department: Parks and Open Space
Classification: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $25.45/hour - $28.64/hour
[Salary Range: $25.45/hour - $38.18/hour]

Position Summary: This position is an opportunity to join a dynamic team dedicated to the stewardship of Colorado's premier high-altitude community forest. As a core member of the Forestry team, the successful applicant brings existing skills and should also seek to gain additional experience in the fields of urban forestry, arboriculture, and natural resource management. While tree care is the primary focus, the forestry team performs a variety of tasks including tree pruning, cutting, chipping, and planting. Additionally, the team also improves health of our open spaces and natural forests through projects and tasks such as felling, thinning, noxious vegetation control, and revegetation.

Supervision Exercised and Received: This position works under the general supervision of the City Forester and Natural Resource Manager within the Parks and Open Space Department. Collaborates closely with a small, cohesive team including a crew lead and seasonal staff. This position does not directly supervise others but may lead or assist with projects depending on experience and skills. Opportunities for cross-team collaboration and creative project development are encouraged and supported by the department.

Essential Job Functions:

Forestry and Natural Resources
* Performs tree care and maintenance tasks, including pruning, cutting, removal, planting, chipping, grinding, and watering of trees throughout the city.
* Operates a variety of equipment such as chainsaws, handsaws, wood chippers, mowers, vehicles (cars/trucks), and electric or gas-powered work carts.
* Controls noxious and invasive weeds using various methods, including chemical spraying, in compliance with safety and environmental standards.
* Controls noxious weeds utilizing various methods including spraying.
* Engages frequently with the general public; must respond to questions and complex concerns in a polite, professional, and respectful manner.
* Occasionally works at heights and must follow all applicable safety procedures.
* Adheres to all safety protocols and consistently uses appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Equipment Maintenance
* Performs daily inspections of equipment prior to use for fluid levels, tire pressure wear or other safety problems. Fuels, lubricates, makes minor repairs, or reports other problems to supervisors. Cleans and runs a safety check on all equipment used at the end of the day.

Special Projects
* Works on special projects, including the annual set-up and removal of Christmas lighting. Performs many varied activities associated with special events, such as Arbor Day, restoration projects, parades, recreational, sporting and cultural events. Assists with development and construction of new parks and upgrading existing facilities and properties.

Lead Worker
* Delegates tasks to seasonal personnel and insures completion of tasks during shift as appropriate. Provides training and resolves problems as necessary.

Snow Removal
* During winter months, performs work duties in the removal of snow and ice from pedestrian malls, sidewalks, bridges, parking lots, culverts and drainage systems with medium and heavy weight equipment and hand tools.

City Organizational Values
* Supports and models the City of Aspen organizational values: Service, Partnership, Stewardship, and Innovation. Organizational values are shared principles that guide behavior across the organization. This position is responsible for upholding and applying these values while performing daily work functions.
- Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:
Displays the following key competencies and behaviors in the overall job performance to include knowledge, skills, and abilities:
* Service: Provides service with excellence, humility, integrity, and respect in daily work, builds trust by listening, treats people with respect, acknowledges opportunities for improvement, and follows through with commitments.
* Partnership: Actively creates strong, supportive internal and external relationships to attain a common goal and achieve greater impact together.
* Stewardship: Balances social, environmental, and financial responsibilities, evaluating the impact of decision making on a thriving future for all.
* Innovation: Develops technical expertise to pursue new ideas and creative outcomes, grounded in Aspen's unique culture, opportunities and challenges.
* Communication: Knowledge of effective and appropriate communication. Ability to use knowledge effectively in various contexts which may require oral, written, visual and non-verbal communication.
* Interpersonal: Works to develop strength in interpersonal skills. Has the ability to work well with diverse groups of people, both inside and outside the organization.
* Technology: Demonstrates technology skills sufficient for the nature and level of position. Demonstrates a willingness to learn new technologies and transition job duties accordingly to support technological advances and innovation.
* Maintenance Expertise: Knowledge of the principles and techniques of plumbing, wood finishing, painting, electricity, snow removal, and carpentry. Skills in the use of tools, equipment and supplies involved in general maintenance and construction of buildings, landscape grounds and native areas.
* Safety: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective safety operations for Parks maintenance operations.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.

Experience: One year of maintenance and construction experience.

Technical Knowledge: Must be proficient in Microsoft Outlook (Email) and have a basic understanding of computers and online computer-based technology applications, which includes accessing web based platforms.

Licenses & Certifications: Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of start date.

Preferred Candidate: Experience in forestry and/or natural resources.

NOTE: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required abilities, knowledge, and skills as determined by the City of Aspen may be substituted for the requirements above.

NOTE: This position requires a physical examination, drug screen, and Criminal Background Check upon hire. Employment is contingent upon passing a physical examination, drug screen, and Criminal Background Check.

Position Type and Work Hours:
* Regular full time, hours may vary with workload.
* Evenings/Weekends will occasionally be required depending on department needs and special projects.
* On-Call: Required to perform on-call duty and must be immediately available for 24-hour response on a rotating schedule. Such activities include but are not limited to snow removal, cleaning up debris, fallen trees, water line repair, and irrigation and ditch maintenance.

Work Environment:
* Outdoors/Off-Site: Work is performed in a variety of environments both indoors and outdoors, and involves exposure to a variety of weather conditions and temperatures. Meetings, trainings, and site visits at a variety of city facilities and areas.
* Indoors: Office environment.

Physical Demands:
Visual Acuity: Ability to bring objects into focus.
Balancing: Maintaining equilibrium.
Bending: Bending or position oneself to move an object from one level to another.
Carrying: transporting or moving an object.
Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
Climbing: Ascending or descending stationary objects.
Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Performing work through using two or more body parts or other devices.
Gripping/Grasping: Ability to apply pressure with fingers and palm.
Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, through use of hands, fingers, or other means.
Hearing: Perceiving and comprehending the nature and direction of sounds.
Kneeling: Bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee or knees
Lifting: Moving objects weighing no more than 50 pounds from one level to another.
Pushing/Pulling: Ability to use upper extremities to exert force in order to press, draw, drag or haul objects in a sustained motion.
Reaching: Extending the hands and arms or other device in any direction.
Repetitive motions: Making frequent or continuous movements.
Sitting: Remaining in a stationary position.
Standing: Ability to sustain position for a period of time.
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
Talking: Communicating ideas or exchanging information.
Walking: Ability to move to traverse from one location to another.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.