Horticultural Assistant Internship - Aurora Water

Summary of Job Duties

The City of Aurora is looking for 2 Horticultural Assistant Interns. The Horticultural Assistant Intern performs skilled manual and technical work involved in the maintenance of the Aurora Water-wise Garden; assists in coordinating volunteers and educating customers in xeriscape/water-wise principles and techniques; and assists with work planning by scheduling, organizing, and securing materials and equipment for the accomplishment of assigned tasks.

These positions begins in May and ends in September.

Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. The values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the city of Aurora, we value integrity, respect, professionalism and customer service as those core values and we attribute those values to our success as an organization, both as an employer and a servant of the community. If you hold these same values, we welcome you to apply.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains existing garden features
• Assists in landscape design
• Assists in organizing volunteer work projects and in training volunteers
• Educates garden visitors and customers on water-wise principles and water conservation programs
• Works evenings and weekends as needed
• Performs additional duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High School diploma or GED with current enrollment in a college level horticulture, landscape architecture/design, or landscape maintenance program w/ a college, university, or technical school.

Experience: Horticulture, landscape maintenance, or volunteer coordination.  An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Experience: Irrigation system repair and installation experience.

Knowledge: Knowledge of methods, techniques, and equipment used in water-wise landscaping, horticulture and applicable safety practices and procedures.

Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; maintain records and logs; and perform activities common to assigned maintenance function. Ability to work evenings as needed and at least one weekend per month.

Skills: Must exhibit strong customer service skills. Proper use and understanding of tools, equipment, methods, and safety practices common to assigned maintenance function.  Volunteer coordination, public speaking, plant identification, and landscape design skills are highly desired.

Licenses, Certificates or Equipment Required: Colorado driver's license with a good driving history. This position requires protective clothing including durable trousers and safety toe work boots.

This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.
 

Working Conditions

Physical Demands: Moderate to heavy physical work depending upon assigned function; may require ability to lift a maximum of 80 pounds with assistance; may lift and carry objects weighing up to 60 pounds; considerable walking, standing and kneeling; frequently performs activities requiring a full range of body movement including bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and climbing; hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles; vision to read manuals; speech communication to communicate with employees and citizens.

Work Environment: Works primarily outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, noise, dust, fumes, and chemicals.

Equipment Used: Operates tools, equipment, and vehicles common to landscape maintenance and irrigation system repairs.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

If you need assistance in completing this application, please feel free to contact our office at: 303-739-7225 or visit us at 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Suite 3500, Aurora, CO 80012.

Click HERE for more information or to apply.