Lead Maintenance Specialist - Hudson Gardens Horticulture

Lead Maintenance Specialist - Hudson Gardens Horticulture

(Full Time, Non-Exempt)

Application Closing Deadline: For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. November 10, 2026

Hiring Range is $46,184 to $53,183 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 scheduling, coordinating, assigning and evaluating horticulture planting and landscape maintenance projects and personnel at Hudson Gardens including annual and perennial flowers, roses, shrubs and interior foliage plants. Performs duties in a manner consistent with the stated values of the organization.

Essential Duties:

• Maintains all horticultural displays, including turf, annual, and perennial beds; assists in designing and renovating shrub or annual/ perennial flower beds.
• Assists with training personnel in proper horticulture and snow removal techniques.
• Properly plants, prunes, weeds, mulches, trims and performs general horticulture maintenance within facility landscapes. Assists with mowing, turf maintenance, path maintenance, and other operations as required to maintain and enhance the outdoor assets.
• Regularly inspects all shrub, flower and rose beds, as well as foliage plants. Initiates proper maintenance activities.
• Performs pesticide applications associated with proper Integrated Pest Management for annuals, perennials, roses, and shrubs.
• Properly prepares flowering landscape beds for planting and provides ongoing landscape maintenance.
• Assists with properly scheduling and coordinating watering regimes for trees, shrubs and flowers.
• Waters and fertilizes flowers, shrubs, and foliage plants as soil moisture and weather patterns indicate or as directed.
• Works closely with the Outdoor Recreation Coordinator to assist with all volunteer gardening programs to ensure the gardens' health and productivity. Assists in overseeing planting, weeding, harvesting, and other hands-on gardening tasks while providing guidance and support to volunteers of all experience levels.
• May perform landscape demolition, renovations or new landscape work
• Performs routine inspections of all grounds to ensure proper maintenance.
• Exercises good judgment and proper safety precautions and practices at all times.
• Ensures proper care of assigned tools and equipment, performs maintenance on small equipment, and notifies appropriate personnel of need for tool, equipment or vehicle maintenance service or repairs.
• Maintains and properly completes daily activity reports, pesticide application reports, landscape inventory data, incident reports and other records as required. Maintains accurate planting, maintenance and removal records. Enters and updates tree varieties, conditions, and planting dates into Tree Plotter and GIS.
• Maintains labor and material cost tracking data for planting and establishment of shrub and flower planting and maintenance. Assists Supervisor with preparation of horticulture section goals, objects, and annual budget. Responsible for reconciling Purchase Cards in a timely manner and providing accurate information for preparing purchase orders.
• Assists with set up of special events.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with District employees, vendors, various outside users' groups and associations.
• 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.
• Performs snow and ice removal using plow trucks, blowers, shovels, ice scrappers, de-icing salt, etc.
• 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.

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 skilled labor experience that is inherent to horticulture or landscape maintenance with an emphasis on installation and care of annual or perennial flowers, roses, shrubs, and trees including a solid knowledge of cultural requirements, growth habits, proper pruning techniques, pests, and environmental problems of landscape plants.
• 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 the Colorado Pesticide Applicator's License as a Certified Operator or Qualified Supervisor in the Turf and Ornamental categories or have the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
• Colorado State University Extension Master Gardener Certification or Association of Landscape Contractors of Colorado Landscape Industry Certified Technician desirable.
• 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 for installing and maintaining plants.
• General knowledge of modern horticulture principles, methods, and best management practices, operations and activities of a horticulture program, Xeriscaping, PlantSelect , and Planting for Wildlife principles.
• General knowledge of workplace safety procedures and the ability to adhere to safe work practices and procedures.
• Technical skills in weed control practices, disease and insect diagnostics with the ability to practice integrated pest management.
• Familiarity with irrigation systems
• Skill in the proper maintenance and care of horticulture assets.
• Ability to learn and safely operate large equipment associated with Landscape Construction or Renovation Projects. Includes pick-up trucks, dump tow trailers, skid steer with attachments, front end loaders, stake bed trucks or dump trucks to complete assignments. Use of all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety protocols must be worn/followed at all times during operations.
• Ability to learn and understand the District's organization and operational structure as necessary to carry out assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to read, interpret, and understand landscape design plans and documents, sketches, diagrams, maps, and plans.
• 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 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 motor vehicles, snowplows and snow blowers.
• Ability to train and assist with overseeing 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 pickup or stake-bed trucks with manual or automatic transmissions, snowplow trucks, ATVs or Outfront mowers, trailers for towing equipment or materials, tractors and skid steers with various implements, mowers, trimmers, various hand tools, trencher, gas torch, irrigation pipe and fittings, electronic testing equipment, locating equipment, de-icing salts, Pesticide Application equipment including high- or low-pressure sprayers and backpack sprayers, pesticides, fertilizers, water truck and pump systems, hand-held data collection devices, and GPS tools and software.
• Uses standard office equipment including a personal computer, phone, printer, 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 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.

South Suburban Park & Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We've Got You Covered!

South Suburban Offers:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans
• Disability and life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA's)

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 $390 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 9% 401(a) Employer contribution/match that vest after 3 years of service
• Trainings to grow your professional and personal skill set
• Tuition Reimbursement Program that covers up to $2,500 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.