Title:  Operations Technician II (Open Spaces)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

Under general supervision the Operations Technician II (Open Spaces, Parks & Trails) serves as a technical staff member within their functional area(s) and provides assistance, education, and support to the Operations Team. This position performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled work in the maintenance and repair of open spaces, parks, turf, landscapes, trails, and associated equipment, facilities, and public properties.

DUTIES:

• Completes and advises field activities of Operations maintenance programs.
• Develops plans and logistics to carry out maintenance tasks and projects. Supports the safety and performance of Operations Team.
• Supports Operations Team and divisional contractors in meeting maintenance and services standards and efficiency requirements. May provide Operations Technician III with input regarding work planning.
• Supports Turf & Irrigation Specialist, Forestry & Horticulturist Specialist, and Natural Resource Specialist in implementing county wide programs, agronomic practices, reforestation plans, and agricultural programs. Performs maintenance, stewardship and land management duties on Arapahoe County open space owned and managed properties, trail corridors and trailheads, parks, turf, irrigation systems, sports fields, landscape beds, Heritage Areas, and other related public use facilities and equipment.
• Performs restoration of native grasslands and riparian areas, including native grass seeding operations, the planting, establishment and maintenance of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, and the management of noxious weeds on open space properties parks, trailheads, and trail corridors.
• Performs parks, turf, forestry, and landscape duties including but not limited to pruning, mowing, blowing, edging, fertilizing, weed management, aerating, top-dressing, verticutting, power raking, over-seeding, soil amending, sodding, planting, and irrigation maintenance.
• Install, repair and inspects open space, trailhead, and park amenities; amenities include but not limited to fences, drainage systems, restrooms, shelters, benches, trash cans as well as graffiti / vandalism damage, playground equipment, athletic equipment, and other related equipment and facilities.
• Safely operate and maintains equipment including but not limited to County vehicles, mowers, blowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, sprayers, plows, power tools, UTVs, dump trucks, trailers, skid steers, and mini excavators.
• Supports the removal of debris and snow from parks, trailheads, parking lots, trails, and sidewalks using tractors, pick-up trucks, dump trailers as well as blowing, sweeping and snow removal equipment. Supports County level snow removal and emergency management operations when necessary.
• Supports the operations and logistics associated with special events occurring at the 17 Mile House Farm Park, the Fairgrounds Event Center or through Departmental partnerships.

REQUIREMENTS:

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Knowledge specific to vegetation management related to turf, ornamental and native plants, ecological systems, agricultural areas, and weed science. Ground’s maintenance specific knowledge and technical safety knowledge of landscape equipment.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques of parks, playground, and landscape maintenance. Strong knowledge of horticulture to include annuals, perennials, plant identification and basic landscape design and installation.
• Ability to apply pesticides/herbicides as part of an integrated pest management program. Inventory techniques utilizing geographic information systems or global positioning systems.
• Ability to work safely by utilizing applicable PPE’s and adhering to all safety protocol/procedures.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions which includes communicating in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing. Ability to produce field reports and provide data summaries.
• Ability to work independently and show good judgement.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• 3 years of experience in open space, parks/turf, trails, natural resource management and/or landscape maintenance/repair.
• Equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job may be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Associates degree or technical training or certification in landscaping, horticulture, grounds maintenance, natural resource management, or other related field.
• Class A CDL.
• Landscape Industry Certified Technician or Certified Grounds Technician or Certified Native Plant Master or Irrigation Technician or Certified Playground Safety Inspector or Certified Arborist.

Pre-Employment OR Post Employment (within time frames listed) Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class “R” or Class B Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
• Ability to obtain Class A CDL within 12 months. Must be able to pass CDL medical exam.
• C.O. in Turf and Ornamental or ability to obtain within 8 months OR C.O. in Rangeland or ability to obtain within 8 months
• C.O. in Industrial/Rights-of-Way or ability to obtain within 12 months
• CPR/1st Aid/AED or ability to obtain within 3 months
• Landscape Industry Certified Technician OR Certified Native Plant Master OR Certified Irrigation Technician or Certified Arborist or the ability to obtain 1 in 1 year.
• Ability to operate the following equipment: 4x4 pickup truck, assorted sprayers or spray rigs, assorted mowers, hand and power tools, blowers, edgers, assorted tractors and associated implements, assorted trailers including 5th wheel and dump and assorted snow removal equipment.

Post-Employment Requirements:

• Position is deemed essential, and incumbents must be available for winter storm and other emergency events and available to work on-call on a rotational basis including evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Work locations, facilities and hours are subject to change based on business need.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Employee works indoors and out-of-doors, most of their time spent in the field often in extreme weather conditions and over rough terrain. May occasionally be exposed to confine workspace or working at height.
• Employees in this position may be exposed to all the dangers associated with working outside, including but not limited to; pollen, animal dander, peanuts and other allergens, snakes, insects, bites and stings and similar hazards.
• Available to work on-call hours in rotation, as needed.
• Available to work the County Fair, including preparations and take down as well as other Open Spaces special events.
• Available to work during evenings, weekends, irregular hours, as needed. Serves as County essential personnel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 20% of the time sitting, office or vehicle and 80% of the time either standing or walking.
• Frequently lifts, carries, pulls, or pushes up to 40 lbs.
• Frequently uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 40 lbs.
• Constantly climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.
• Heavy manual labor in and out-of-doors is typical with this position.

Definitions:

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.