Gardener (Finance)
POSITION TITLE: Gardener (Hourly)
REQUISITION #: req7999
DEPARTMENT: Cultural Services
LOCATION: GARDENS ON SPRING CREEK
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
HOURLY RATE: $16.00 - 19.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 4/15/2025.
The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check and Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) required.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure
Summary
The Gardens on Spring Creek is currently seeking two hourly Gardeners to join a highly motivated, talented team to help strengthen the world-class botanic gardens and horticultural experiences we provide to the community. One of the positions will focus more heavily on working in the Undaunted Garden, Rock Garden and Prairie Garden focusing on xeric principles growing drought-tolerant native and adapted plants. The other position will care for a collection of themed and transitionary gardens ranging in a wide variety of plant types, locations and aesthetic displays.
The position offers a positive and engaging environment, training, and professional growth opportunities in the green industry. The position is a non-benefitted, fluctuating hourly position working 40 hours per week for up to 9 months, not to exceed 1,560 hours total. Work may include some weekends and holidays as necessary. Positions generally open in early spring and last until early winter.
Essential Duties:
- Assist in maintenance of the Gardens' living plant collection, grounds and facilities
- Responsible for horticulture maintenance and plant health care in shrub beds, flower beds, and specialty gardens
- Assist with integrated pest management which may include applying pesticides with required training
- Use machinery and equipment including and not limited to backpack blower, push mower, Walker riding mower, rototiller, and string trimmer as well as common garden hand tools
- Learn to operate a variety of equipment including utility vehicles, hand tools, power tools
- Assist with irrigation maintenance and repairs
- Frequently respond to the needs of visitors at the Gardens on Spring Creek
- Clean and remove trash from all areas of the Gardens including shelters and restroom facilities
- May assist with aspects of turf care (mowing, trimming, irrigating, fertilizing, aerating, etc.)
- Assists with setting up displays and holiday light installations for late season Special Events
- May help with snow removal
- Possible paid holiday and personal leave time based on hours worked
- Health and Wellness classes and incentives available
- Boot reimbursements and issued logo attire
- Mentored by world-class, knowledgeable, and experienced Gardens professionals
- Training opportunities to expand educational background
City Competencies
- Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
- Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
- A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
- A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
Minimum Qualifications/Experience:
- At least 18 years old
- Valid driver's license and good driving record
- Gardening and landscaping experience required
- Willing and able to do strenuous physical work in a productive and efficient manner
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral or schedule form
- Self-directed, responsible, and uses good judgment
- Works well as part of a team and individually
- Present a positive image while working in public settings
- Physical, mental, and cognitive abilities sufficient to perform the essential duties outlined above
- Ability to read, write, and communicate well with others
- Physical ability and stamina to perform duties including bending, lifting, digging, pushing, and kneeling
Some schedule flexibility during the 40-hour work week (Monday through Sunday), work hours generally completed within the 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. time frame. May be involved in rotating weekend coverage.
Working Conditions:
- Schedules may vary from part-time to full-time and may include weekends, and holidays
- The employee will work outdoors in a variety of conditions
- Will wear proper safety gear including, but not limited to, safety-toed boots, safety glasses and ear protection as required
- May attend weekly staff meetings and safety meetings as scheduled
- City of Fort Collins works together with staff to prevent the spread of germs (COVID, etc.) to maintain a clean, safe environment
The employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, kneel, dig, and use hands, arms and legs to operate gardening tools and equipment. The employee is regularly required to lift and carry 20-40 pounds; and occasionally lift objects up to 50-60 lbs.
Proper safety measures for lifting/moving any item are expected to be followed; including, but not limited to, the use of proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), use of lifting/moving equipment, and/or assistance from co-workers.
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT (MVR) REQUIRED.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.Summary
The Gardens on Spring Creek is currently seeking two hourly Gardeners to join a highly motivated, talented team to help strengthen the world-class botanic gardens and horticultural experiences we provide to the community. One of the positions will focus more heavily on working in the Undaunted Garden, Rock Garden and Prairie Garden focusing on xeric principles growing drought-tolerant native and adapted plants. The other position will care for a collection of themed and transitionary gardens ranging in a wide variety of plant types, locations and aesthetic displays.
The position offers a positive and engaging environment, training, and professional growth opportunities in the green industry. The position is a non-benefitted, fluctuating hourly position working 40 hours per week for up to 9 months, not to exceed 1,560 hours total. Work may include some weekends and holidays as necessary. Positions generally open in early spring and last until early winter.
Essential Duties:
Assist in maintenance of the Gardens' living plant collection, grounds and facilitiesResponsible for horticulture maintenance and plant health care in shrub beds, flower beds, and specialty gardensAssist with integrated pest management which may include applying pesticides with required trainingUse machinery and equipment including and not limited to backpack blower, push mower, Walker riding mower, rototiller, and string trimmer as well as common garden hand toolsLearn to operate a variety of equipment including utility vehicles, hand tools, power toolsAssist with irrigation maintenance and repairsFrequently respond to the needs of visitors at the Gardens on Spring CreekClean and remove trash from all areas of the Gardens including shelters and restroom facilitiesMay assist with aspects of turf care (mowing, trimming, irrigating, fertilizing, aerating, etc.)Assists with setting up displays and holiday light installations for late season Special EventsMay help with snow removal
Work Benefits:
Possible paid holiday and personal leave time based on hours workedHealth and Wellness classes and incentives availableBoot reimbursements and issued logo attireMentored by world-class, knowledgeable, and experienced Gardens professionalsTraining opportunities to expand educational background
