The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.
HIRING RANGE: $86,093.28 - $95,659.20 annually
This position is responsible for all aspects of the overall management of forestry and horticulture operations of the city. Directly supervises people at the lead position and specialist levels as well as seasonal employees and external contractors. Oversees purchasing and accounting for assigned areas of responsibility. Monitors the division budget and assists in future planning for the division.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesIncumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Plans, assigns, monitors, and coordinates the work activities of assigned crews related to urban forestry and horticulture operations
- Inspects contractor and in-house staff work for conformance to standard
- Responsible for addressing citizen service requests, complaints, and vegetation trim requests
- Collaborates with internal staff on future development plan reviews and serves as the SME for forestry and horticulture
- Prepares productivity, activity reports and manages the City Tree inventory
- Responsible for private tree contractor licensing program within the City of Lakewood and enforcing city ordinances related to vegetation management
- Responsible for pesticide licensing and tracking chemical usage within the horticulture and urban forestry functions.
- Responsible for planning and organizing and assisting with snow removal efforts for City owned buildings, parking lots, and park path systems
- Works collaboratively with various work groups by participating in other division or department functions.
- Incorporates department strategic goals into divisional goals and work objectives.
- Maintains and enforces safety regulations and procedures
- Participates in selecting, hiring, training, evaluating, supervising, and disciplining assigned employees
- Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.
Reporting RelationshipsSupervision Received: Parks Manager
Supervision Exercised: Parks employees including variables, external contractors and specialists.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- Demonstrated knowledge in urban forestry and horticulture management practices
- Able to successfully manage competing priorities
- Ability to deal with and effectively communicate with city staff, the public, contractors and media representatives
- Skillful in written and verbal communication
Technological Skills- Working knowledge of personal computers
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office including Word and Excel, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Education and ExperienceHigh school or GED, required
Bachelor's degree in horticulture, forestry, turf management, natural resources, landscape management, or business management with an emphasis in horticulture, or urban forestry, or related field preferred
Five years strong horticulture experience and urban forestry experience
Three years of supervisory experience
Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record required.
- Must have or be able to obtain within six months a Colorado State Department of Agriculture Pesticide License as Qualified Supervisor, and a Class A Commercial Driver's License
Working Conditions and Physical RequirementsMust successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.
Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
- Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels up to 50 pounds
- Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels over 51 pounds. with assistance
- Sit, stand or be stationary
- Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, turn or twist all of which may include awkward positions on
- both even and uneven terrain
- Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
- Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, reach, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
- Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color
- Walk, ascend or descend on both even and uneven terrain
Environmental Conditions may include- Confined spaces
- Extreme cold or heat
- Frequent vibrations due to equipment use
- Fumes or airborne particles
- Moderate to extremely loud noise environment
- Outdoor weather conditions
- Toxic or caustic chemicals
- Wet or humid conditions
- Work in high, precarious places
The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor.
The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.
Pay Range$75,836.80-$95,659.20
Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.
