Lead Maintenance Specialist - Hudson Gardens - South Suburban Parks and Recreation

Lead Maintenance Specialist - Hudson Gardens

Full Time, Non-Exempt

Application Closing Deadline: For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. June 19, 2024

Hiring Range is $44,304 to $50,936 annually based on qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Hudson Gardens Maintenance Supervisor, this position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, and performance of daily inspections of the facilities and grounds at Hudson Gardens. Assists in identifying, planning, prioritizing, scheduling, and coordinating projects and personnel associated with all aspects of ground and facility maintenance, including turf, irrigation, shrub and tree care, and facility maintenance. Performs duties in a manner consistent with the stated values of the organization.

Essential Duties:

• Assists with training and oversight of daily activities of contractors, part time employees, seasonal staff, and volunteers.
• Performs all cultural maintenance practices inherent to maintaining irrigated turf grass including mowing, aeration, fertilization, and irrigation.
• Properly plants, prunes, weeds, mulches, and performs general horticulture maintenance within ground and facility landscapes.
• Assists in maintenance of tree and shrub care, including plantings, removals, weed/pest control, pruning, and shrub bed maintenance. Prunes certain species to avoid the spread of disease, avoid excessive sap bleeding, and to enhance flowering.
• Assists with training and oversight of trash and recyclables removal operations cleaning and clearing grounds and facilities of litter and debris, operation of a trash and recyclables removal truck and common hand tools, installation and removal of waste receptacles.
• Performs routine and comprehensive custodial maintenance of all assigned facilities, including restrooms and back of house areas.
• Completes general cleaning of all event spaces in buildings to include, lobby, halls, tile and wood floors by vacuuming, mopping, buffing, and cleaning counters and sinks, drinking fountains, fixing minor plumbing issues, shampooing carpets, cleaning mirrors, windows, washing rubber mats, dusting air vents, etc.
• Performs various maintenance and custodial duties such as minor painting, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical repairs as directed.
• Responds to work orders such as set-up and take-down for events as necessary.
• Assists with training and oversight of maintaining public shelter facilities including roof repair, picnic table repair, trash receptacle repair, stocking of supplies, painting, staining, restroom cleaning, and sanitizing.
• Locks and unlocks assigned buildings: secure building when facilities are not in use, check for unlocked doors and windows, report any unauthorized occupants, and turn off lights.
• Maintains inventory of each venue.
• Performs routine inspections of all grounds to ensure proper maintenance.
• Conducts training of personnel in techniques for safe and efficient operation of equipment, tools, machinery, work methods and chemical applications.
• Maintains, operates, and cares for assigned hand tools and equipment including trenchers, pickup truck, trailer, skid steer, stump grinder, compressor, small engines, etc. Maintains and routinely inventories parts and materials used while performing maintenance duties.
• Exercises good judgment and proper safety precautions and practices at all times.
• Assists with activation of irrigation systems and fountains at the beginning of the season and winterizes all systems, fountains, and shelters at the end of the season.
• Assists as needed with the installation of new irrigation systems and the extension of existing systems.
• Assists as needed with drinking and ornamental water fountains including filter cleanings and repairs to timers, pumps, lights, nozzles and liners.
• Keeps accurate records of daily activities and provides lists of materials for cost tracking. Responsible for providing accurate information for preparing purchase orders.
• Performs maintenance and repairs on play equipment as needed.
• Assists Staff with Hudson Garden or District sponsored events, making deliveries of materials and supplies necessary to meet the requests of facility rentals and work orders. This position performs the set up and disassembly of event tents, tables, picnic benches, and chairs.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with District employees, vendors, various outside users’ groups and associations (to coordinate their programs, tournaments, special events and league play).
• May be required to fill in for absent employees, covering some or all duties to ensure operations continue smoothly.
• Responds tactfully, respectfully and in a timely manner to inquiries and problems in person, through email, phone, and mail by providing helpful information and explanations in-line with District policies and procedures. Thoughtfully handles confrontational or stressful interactions.
• Responds to emergency callbacks on a 24-hour basis.
• Performs snow and ice removal.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, trainings, and orientations.
• Attends work on a regular, reliable, and punctual basis.
• May be required to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and be on snow watch as well as work shifts deviating from this position’s normal workdays and/or with other work groups.
• Monitors landscapes for pests (weeds, insects, and diseases) and perform pesticide applications associated with the proper integrated pest management for annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs, and irrigated turf grass.
• Assists in designing and renovating shrub or annual/perennial flower beds.

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 its equivalent.
• One year of experience in grounds keeping or landscape maintenance.
• Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture or Landscape Management is preferred.
• Any combination of experience, training and education that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver License or the ability to obtain upon hire and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• General knowledge of modern landscaping principles, methods, and best management practices.
• General knowledge of workplace safety procedures and the ability to adhere to safe work practices and procedures.
• General knowledge of custodial procedures, mechanical building systems, carpentry work, and the ability to perform minor construction and make repairs.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to read directions, chemical labels, and work documents.
• General knowledge of laws, regulations, and methods of pesticide application and the safe and proper use of pesticides and appropriate personal protective gear.
• General knowledge of modern horticulture principles, methods, and best management practices, operations, and activities of a horticulture program.
• General knowledge in the proper maintenance and care of ground and facility assets.
• General knowledge in the use and general maintenance of hand, power and motorized tools associated with landscape maintenance.
• General knowledge in the safe and proper operation of snowplows and snow blowers.
• Ability to train and assist with supervising subordinate employees, community service workers, and volunteers.
• Ability to exercise good judgement and practice proper safety precautions at all times.
• Ability and willingness to comply with District and Departmental vision, mission, rules, regulations, safety protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, weather events, and special work requests.
• Ability to interact tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately with the public, District administration, co-workers, and other agencies or contractors.
• Must be highly motivated and take direction well.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high-volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to provide outstanding customer service, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and interact with others in a professional manner.
• Communication skills to express facts, data, and ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

Material and Equipment Used:

• Regularly uses ATVs with snowplows; tractors and skid steers with various implements, mowers, trimmers, various hand tools, trencher, gas torch, irrigation pipe and fittings, electronic testing equipment, locating equipment, Pesticide Application equipment including high- or low-pressure sprayers and backpack sprayers, Pesticides, fertilizers, and De-Icing salts.
• Uses standard office equipment including a personal computer, phone, printer, fax machine, and copier.
• This position may be required to drive a personal and/or District motor vehicle to various District and off-site facilities.

Working Environment:

• Regularly requires strenuous work outdoors with exposure to a variety of weather conditions, ecosystems, and landscapes.
• This position has regular exposure to adverse conditions such as dust, molds, grasses, fumes, odors, noise, wildlife and insects such as bees and wasps, pesticides and cleaning chemicals, solvents, oils, greases, paint, wax stripper, extreme temperatures, ultra-violet radiation, precipitation, and may include unlit or low light situations.
• This position also performs work in an office environment subject to interruptions and background noises.

Physical Requirements:

• Extended periods spent performing strenuous manual labor and standing, walking, sitting.
• Occasional physical work lifting up to 75 pounds.
• Required to use hands and fingers to manually manipulate, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to climb, squat, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch or crawl. May occasionally climb stairs and ladders and work in uncomfortable positions for short periods of time.
• Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate tools, machinery, personal computer and equipment.
• Foot/eye coordination required for operating motorized equipment.
• Daily duties require the ability to twist, grasp, and make repetitive hand movements.
• Vision for reading, recording and interpreting information. Vision acuity to see close-up and at a distance with the ability to adjust focus allowing a broad field of vision.
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain clear and effective communication, and to receive and interpret warning signals. Must understand and be understood.

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 8% 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 $1,800 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, a botanical garden event center, 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.