(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Supervises the mowing, weed and wildlife control operations, or the maintenance of the City’s municipal parks and grounds, urban forest/ open space/open lands, trail corridors; which may , include turf, irrigation systems, playgrounds, sports fields, courts, lakes, fishing facilities, wildlife habitat, natural resources, etc.

Develops and implements annual citywide park and open space maintenance plans and annual snow and ice control plans. Inspects park equipment and facilities; determines needed repairs and maintenance. May develop equipment training plans.

Researches and recommends maintenance and training programs, projects and work assignments. Prepares monthly and special reports of park and open space/open land conditions, park maintenance activities, open space maintenance, snow removal, etc.

Establishes and implements goals, policies, and procedures pertaining to park and open space maintenance and safety.

May review construction drawings, specifications and design guidelines for park and open space construction projects, approves designs, meets with contractors and vendors, and inspects construction. Provides professional level staff assistance to capital projects staff. Creates and maintains an inventory of park and open space amenities and equipment.

May supervise and coordinate mowing operations with contractors, homeowners associations and other city departments.

Supervises repairs of equipment, fleet vehicles or facilities due to vandalism or graffiti.

Supervises and directs the activities of assigned staff; makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, termination or advancement of employees. Schedules employees, assigns work, and monitors progress; guides, trains and develops employees in the accomplishment of their duties and professional growth; evaluates performance.

Coordinates activities with other divisions or departments.

Supervises pesticide applications and snow removal operations.

Coordinates division budget by collecting data, organizing materials and making recommendations. Monitors expenditures against approved budget.

Reviews requests to purchase parts and supplies, monitoring expenditures against approved budget. Oversees development of equipment specifications and procurement.

Attends or conducts a variety of meetings such as staff meetings and employee briefings. May assist with citizen education and professional outreach.

Responds to requests, concerns and inquiries from the public.

Investigates complaints and recommends corrective action as necessary.

Performs on-call related duties on a rotating basis for weekend coverage and snow removal.

May perform more difficult and complex park maintenance and open space duties.

Native/pollinator landscape design.

Works with outside entities that conduct business on open space properties such as oil well operators, cell tower operators, ditch companies and farmers that have leases on city property.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Ecology/Natural Resources Supervisor
In addition to previous Essential Functions:

Plans and assigns Urban Forestry maintenance duties to include planting, pruning and removals. Updates and maintains City Tree inventory. Inspects hazard tree (public and private) complaints and enforces city code requirements.

Plans and assigns open space/open lands maintenance duties, including noxious weed control, wildlife control, and open space mowing operations.

Supervises the implementation of Naturally Thornton, bluegrass to native/sustainable landscape conversion.

Participates in design and review of open space landscape plans. Participates in the planning, coordination, and implementation of conservation, preservation, and restoration work of local ecosystems.

Develops and implements interpretive programs related to Naturally Thornton and City of Thornton Open Space.

Manages Thornton Open Spaces GIS data and collection system.

Establishes and redesigns irrigation for the benefit of Open Space and the Urban Forest.

Initiates, plans, supervises, and participates in Open Space volunteer programs.

Responsible for city lakes and pond maintenances, including fish stocking and fishing programs.

Plans and facilities biannual city tree sale.

Identifies and works with Forestry contractors.

Develops and implements strategy for Emerald Ash Borer response and mitigation.

Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Forestry, or related field from an accredited college or university; three years’ experience in park maintenance, open space, horticulture, turf management, forestry, mowing operations or related field including two years of lead or supervisory experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish highly preferred.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:
Qualified Supervisor applicator license through the Colorado Department of Agriculture preferred.

Valid Colorado driver's license with a safe driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.
Knowledge of city of Thornton personnel policies and procedures.
Knowledge of city of Thornton purchasing policies and procedures.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of park maintenance, turf management, irrigation management, open space maintenance, mowing operations, etc.
Knowledge of park and open space maintenance safety procedures.
Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and methods of pesticide application.
Knowledge of plumbing flows related to back flow devices.
Knowledge of native grasses.
Knowledge of noxious weed control.
Knowledge of GIS data collection systems.
Knowledge of native plants.
Knowledge of pollinator gardens and design.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision and training.
Skill in supervising the maintenance of the city's parks, open space, and turf maintenance, including a variety of park amenities such as playgrounds, pavilions, skate parks, dog parks, lakes, fountains and sports fields and courts.
Skill in reading and understanding blueprints.
Skill in the safe and proper methods of pesticide application.
Skill in preparing successful long- and short-term park and open space maintenance plans.
Ability to organize and communicate with volunteers.
Ability to design native landscapes.
Ability to supervise, direct and train employees.
Ability to prepare written and statistical reports.
Ability to create and maintain an accurate inventory of park equipment.
Ability to develop budgets and to approve and monitor expenditures against approved budgets.
Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
Ability to regularly exercise significant discretion and independent judgment for daily operations.
Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software, including word processing, data base management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, management and community members.
Ability to work on-call on a rotating basis for weekend coverage and snow removal.

Physical and Mental Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly medium work; exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee is required to have visual acuity to perform mechanical or skilled trades’ tasks of a non-repetitive nature. The employee is subject to environmental conditions, outside environmental conditions, both inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin, is frequently in close quarters, and is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways.

The City of Thornton offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefit eligibility is based on the status of the position. Please view this link (Download PDF reader) to see our 2023 Benefits Guide.

Benefits offered may include the following depending on the job type/status of the position:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance Options
• Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy
• Flexible Spending Plan
• Retiree Health Savings Plan
• Pension Plan & Deferred Compensation Plans
• Short & Long-term Disability Plans
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation & Sick Leave
• Multilingual Incentive Pay
• Recreation Pass
• Wellness Program - Learn more here
• In-House Training Opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Schedules
• Hybrid Schedules