Lead Maintenance Specialist - Natural Open Spaces - South Suburban Parks and Recreation

Lead Maintenance Specialist - Natural Open Spaces

(Full Time, Non-Exempt)

Application Closing Deadline: For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. December 12, 2024

Hiring Range $45,190 - $51,995 annually based on qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Natural Open Space Supervisor, this position is responsible for accomplishing the various skilled tasks that are associated with the natural open space areas within the District. This position is required to work weekends, evenings and holidays as well as work shifts different from other work groups.

Essential Duties:

• Responsible for the supervision and direction of up to four full time staff members in the absence of the Supervisor and the supervision and direction of seasonal employees, volunteers and community service workers. This includes assisting with the training and orientation of these employees or volunteers.
• Ensure the safety of District trail users and patrons that use District facilities and keep District liability risk at a minimum by properly maintaining District amenities to established standards.
• Maintains natural open space areas using tractors, mowers, sprayers, seeders, and small engine power and hand tools.
• Assists in the application of pesticides and herbicides as required in designated areas.
• Cleans open space areas and removes and disposes of trash from open spaces and public facilities.
• Assist in the preparation of seedbeds for planting, tills soil, and perform seeding in designated areas.
• Performs minor maintenance on natural open space equipment.
• Assists in the renovation of natural open space and park areas, and makes repairs as required, including but not limited to fence repairs, painting, drainage repairs, and vandalism repairs.
• Assists in supervising assigned seasonal employees including training in equipment use, reviewing work, and overseeing quality.
• Performs maintenance and restoration to district waterways, ponds and lakes.
  Participates in snow removal operations as well as the cleaning and maintenance of the facility as needed.
• Completes time card, daily activity reports, and other reports and records as required. This position requires attendance and involvement in meetings on project progress, safety, park maintenance practices, procedural changes and other topics related to the operations of the District.
• Ensures proper care of assigned tools and equipment. Performs preventive maintenance or minor repairs or notifies appropriate personnel of need for maintenance.
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of documentation involving standard operation procedures in order to maintain inventory and appropriate maintenance of District amenities as assigned.
• Complete personal timecards, daily activity reports and record maintenance activities as assigned.
• Operate and maintain clean care for assigned tools, communication devices, division and shared equipment, motorized vehicles and hand tools to ensure safe acceptable condition at all times.
• Assist with the estimation and bidding and purchasing of materials /supplies and services, including but not limited to, maintaining professional relationships and working with vendors to ensure proper delivery and quality of material.
• Responds tactfully, respectfully and in a timely fashion to inquiries and problems in person, by email, phone and mail providing helpful information and explanations in-line with District policies and procedures. Thoughtfully handles confrontational or stressful interactions.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, trainings, and orientations.
• Attend work on a regular, reliable and punctual basis.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.

Education and/or Experience:

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age with a High School diploma or equivalent.
• Any combination of experience that is equivalent to three (3) years of skilled labor and operation related to park and trail maintenance or light civil construction work in the public sector as a Lead is acceptable. This includes staff supervision and the operation of equipment used in the maintenance and repair of trails, parking lots and all other related functions described in the position description.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

• Certified Pesticide Applicator License with the Colorado Department of Agriculture as a Certified Operator or Qualified Supervisor.
• All required certifications as they relate to the above listed essential duties and any related certifications.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver License or have the ability to obtain upon hire and maintain an acceptable driving record. A valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License is also required or the ability to obtain one within sixty (60) days of hire.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods of time and the ability to operate all tools and equipment during inclement weather.
• Ability and willingness to learn and then perform specific maintenance and supervisory tasks in an efficient manner.
• Ability to operate and disseminate or receive training on various types of maintenance standards, current operating procedures and construction equipment.
• Knowledge of current public trail construction, safety and maintenance standards, procedures and working knowledge of equipment and materials used to safely maintain and construct both hard and soft surface trails.
• Knowledge of current parking lot construction, safety and maintenance standards, procedures and working knowledge of equipment and materials used to safely maintain and construct concrete and asphalt paved surfaces.
• Knowledge of current bridge and storm water conveyance construction, safety and maintenance standards, procedures and working knowledge of equipment and materials used to safely maintain and construct bridges and drainage ways.
• Skills related to current proficiency with the safe and efficient operation of equipment used to maintain public trails, parking lots and public facilities including but not limited to: backhoes, skid steers, front end loaders, tandem and single axle dump trucks, trash trucks, rollers / compactors, street sweepers, pressure washers, large capacity water trucks and excavation equipment.
• Skills related to current proficiency and ability to document daily maintenance activities, keep accurate work logs and reports, design and implement traffic / pedestrian detour plans and conduct and correct jobsite hazard analysis.
• Must be highly motivated and take direction well with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbally.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.
• Ability to provide outstanding customer service and get along with coworkers, patrons, and supervisors and interact with employees and vendors in a professional manner.

Material and Equipment Used:

To successfully perform the required job duties, this position regularly uses:District tractors and implements, power and hand tools, pesticide / herbicide application equipment, chemical sprayers, welding equipment, painting equipment, tandem / single axle trucks and trailers, excavation and civil construction equipment. This position regularly drives a District vehicle. This position may need to drive a personal vehicle to various District facilities.

Working Environment:

This position requires work in a variety of settings including working indoors and frequently outdoors, daytime and night-time including in dark areas, subject to variable weather conditions, ecosystems, and landscapes. Outdoor working environments can be wet, humid, and extreme in temperature variations. Regularly exposed to heat, cold, loud noises, dust, wildlife, and chemicals.

Physical Requirements:

Required to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time. Ability to reach outward, reach above shoulders and below knees. Heavy physical work requiring ability to frequently lift up to 50 pounds with or without assistance and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds; considerable walking and standing on uneven surfaces; regular pushing, pulling and bending; hand/eye and foot/eye coordination to operate hand tools, controls and motorized equipment; occasionally crawl, squat, kneel or work in uncomfortable positions for short periods of time. Long periods of repeated motion, twisting, turning, lifting and bending. Lift with assistance up to 200 lbs.; ability to hear and listen for receive / interpret information and warning signals.

This list is not all-inclusive and represents examples of the work environment and physical demands.

We’ve Got You Covered!

South Suburban pays:

• 90% of the employee-only medical insurance cost
• 68% of dental & vision insurance cost
• 100% short-term & long-term disability cost
• 100% life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance cost

South Suburban offers:

• FSA options for additional medical expenses

Happy Employees Are the Best Employees

• South Suburban provides an employee assistance program at no cost that includes: counseling, financial planning, legal assistance, and much more!
• Our Employee Wellness Program gives covered staff the ability to reduce their medical premium by $360 annually

Take Time Away to Do What You Enjoy

• 10 paid holidays per year
• 4 personal days per year
• Earn 11.5 paid vacation days per year
• Paid sick leave to rest, recover, and take care of yourself

We’ve Got Your Back

• Up to 9% 401(a) Employer contribution/match that vests after 3 years of service
• Diverse trainings to grow your professional and personal skillset
• Tuition Reimbursement Program that covers up to $2,500 per year

Play Where You Work

• Employee engagement is a priority at South Suburban. Staff gatherings have included: pictures with the Stanley Cup, Chili Cook-Off, Ice Cream Social, Shuffleboard Tournament, Employee Appreciation Luncheon, just to name a few
• Monthly wellness challenge opportunities and staff recognition honors

We LOVE Our Facilities and So Will You:

• Free daily admission to recreation centers, tennis courts, ice rinks and swimming pools
• 50% off food at South Suburban restaurants
• $5 to $10 for nine holes of golf at four different courses

SSPRD offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision. For a more detailed overview please view the Benefits Guide for Full-Time Employees

About Us

Our mission is to foster healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space by providing recreational services and programs.

We serve residents in Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Centennial west of I-25, Littleton, Lone Tree and Sheridan and unincorporated portions of Douglas, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties. We operate four full-service recreation centers, golf courses, outdoor pools and restaurants, two ice centers and miniature golf courses, and a BMX track, a sports dome, batting cages, an entertainment center, a hotel and a nature center. In addition, we maintain nearly 3,800 acres of developed and open space land, including 119 multi-purpose athletic fields, more than 100 parks, nearly 80 miles of trails, 60 playgrounds, 56 tennis courts, and the 880-acre South Platte Park.

Keyword: Lead Maintenance Specialist - Trails
Required Experience:


From: South Suburban Parks and Recreation