Description

Ever felt like the forest is calling your name? We are looking for an integral member of our team to be the ultimate tree shepherd. You are the kind of person who sees a sapling and knows it needs a champion. This Parks Steward role, sometimes advertised as a Small Tree Worker, means you are joining us to maintain and care for the city’s green spaces.

Think of public lands as a precious library, and you are the chief librarian protecting the living collection. You keep the area healthy and safe for both plants and animals, as well as ensuring pleasant human experiences. This isn't just a desk job that happens to be outside; this is a hands-on stewardship position.

Your typical day involves the important work of planting and caring for trees and vegetation. You get to operate and maintain the equipment crucial for this work, like chippers, chainsaws, and stump grinders. We need you to be comfortable performing heavy work. This includes continuous walking and standing, plus lots of pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping. You need to be self-motivated and able to work independently.

If you know that maintaining a safe working environment is rule number one, and working outdoors in all weather conditions sounds like a bonus, you might be the perfect fit. You'll ensure outstanding stewardship of our resources, helping us maintain the city's robust, green backbone.

Hiring salary: $18.00/hour 

 The deadline to submit applications is November 2, 2025. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate will work up to 40 hours per week.  The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits as well as accrue paid time off and receive 11 paid holidays.   

The Parks Steward is an integral member of the team responsible for maintenance and stewardship of public lands, resources, infrastructure, and facilities in order to provide safe and healthy homes for plants and animals, as well as safe and pleasant human experiences.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provides outstanding stewardship of the public lands under care
• Performs maintenance and repair work on facilities and properties
• Plants and cares for trees and vegetation
• Properly operates and maintains equipment
• Updates records concerning materials and equipment used
• Maintains and enforces safety regulations and procedures
• Provides information to the public regarding resources, uses, rules, fees, etc.
• Assists in special event/project implementation
• Performs snow and ice removal as needed
• Performs additional duties as assigned

Requirements

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:  

• None

Experience:  

• None

Preferred Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or GED
• Manual labor experience
• CPR and First Aid
• TCIA Chipper Operator Specialist
• TCIA Ground Operations Specialist 

Knowledge:

• No specific knowledge required

Skills:  

• Courteous vehicle operation
• Working effectively with employees and citizens
• Maintaining a safe working environment

Abilities:  

• Learn operation of equipment and tools of assigned function
• Perform manual labor for extended periods of time
• Work independently and be self-motivated
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Handle stressful situations in a positive manner

Licenses and Certifications Required:  

• Current Driver's License with good driving record
• Colorado Basic Pesticide Training Certificate or ability to obtain within 2 months
   

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Essential Personnel: 

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.
   

Physical Demands:

• Heavy work that involves moving no more than 100 pounds with or without assistance at a time
• Continuous walking and standing to implement projects
• Continuous pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, crouching, and climbing to implement work
• Continuous hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of equipment and vehicles
• Continuous vision to read reports, manuals, written materials, instruments and gauges
• Continuous good speech communication, hearing, and listening for effective communication with others 

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and fumes 

Equipment Used:

• Operates equipment and vehicles common to maintenance functions (trucks, chippers, chainsaws, hand tools, power tools, stump grinder, spray rigs, etc.)
• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), database systems, GIS, etc.
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.