Manager of Grounds, Open Space, and Natural Resources

The City of Littleton has an exciting opportunity for a Manager of Grounds, Open Space, and Natural Resources to join our team! This position will lead teams and programs in irrigation, grounds maintenance, forestry, and sustainability of natural resources for all the city’s publicly owned properties and open spaces.

The successful candidate will be experienced in landscaping, groundskeeping, horticulture, or a related field and have a passion for forestry and natural resources. We are looking for someone who can lead and supervise staff, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with other departments. If you're interested in joining an organization that values sustainability, conservation, and community engagement, we want to hear from you!

This position will have the opportunity to work on a variety of upcoming projects and initiatives including:

• Working with Community Development and the City Attorney’s Office to strengthen tree canopy protection and develop code updates.

• Managing the upgrades to Mineral Medians. This will include irrigation upgrades, installation of native plants, and removing or pruning of trees within the median.

• Leading implementation of the Ketring/Gallup Master Plan. Includes enhancing connectivity and improved amenity zones at the Littleton Library, Museum, Ketring Park, and Gallup Park.

The City of Littleton is a vibrant community south of Denver and is consistently voted as one of America’s Best Small Cities, and a top place to raise a family. Learn more about everything Littleton has to offer at VisitLittleton.org. Home to a vibrant and historic downtown, and a variety of shopping venues, restaurants, parks and trails, there is a lot to offer to the wonderful people who live and work here. The City of Littleton offers outstanding benefits and perks to our employees. For more information, see the 2025 Benefit Guide.

The City of Littleton believes in attracting and retaining the best talent and our strategies include hiring in at market pay and creating career development opportunities. In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for this position with the City of Littleton.

Hiring pay range $118,085 - $130,515 per year

This full-time position is exempt per FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Work Schedule: This full-time position work. in person, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. May oversee the pre-planning of crews working nights and weekends as needed for snow removal. May also provide guidance throughout the year for special events and other special projects.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified or the position is filled, but preference will be given to complete applications received by June 8, 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees maintenance and care of all owned and leased public park property, open space, parkways, public building grounds, rights-of-way, and medians.

• Supervises irrigation technicians and grounds maintenance staff, including seasonal and temporary staff.

• Develops and proposes policies that maintain and sustain open space and natural resources.

• Manages the landscaping and capital improvement projects within division.

• Prepares and monitors program budget including expenditures.

• Responds to citizen demands and inquiries regarding public property maintenance.

• Provides outreach, survey data and other information to citizens, council, boards, committees, and commissions.

• Researches and recommends changes to practices based on emerging issues for the sustainability of natural resources.

• Assists in developing operational priorities, goals, and objectives.

• Develops and assists leadership with updating strategic plans for open space, natural resource protection and sustainable practices.

• Performs long-range planning for assigned areas and participates in long-range planning and general park planning in coordination with South Suburban Parks and Recreation.

• Prepares bid and contract documents for procurement of capital purchases and contracts. Oversees contracts for joint use agreements, Inter-Governmental Agreements, and operations and maintenance functions such as lake management, mosquito control, mowing, and general grounds maintenance.

• Assumes project management duties for contracted projects and internal projects.

• Develops, negotiates and manages contracts and governmental agreements.

• Establishes and implements safety programs and water management programs.

• Represents department at meetings and on committees.

• Makes recommendations to the Deputy Director regarding selection, hiring, training, evaluating, and disciplining assigned employees.

• Assists with the marketing and programming of open space sites through participation in special events and other off-site programs.

• Maintains and monitors various records including daily financial transactions for fees; prepares reports.

• Assists with developing and managing program budget and authorizing expenditures; forecasts budget needs and allocates resources accordingly.

• Manages consulting contracts with environmental, communications, and engineering firms.

• Serves on task forces and as team leader on interdepartmental and interagency teams related to natural resource protection.

• Coordinates with the Communications Department to notify and educate the public of important announcements.

• Plans and implements city-wide snow removal and ice control operations, including training of staff along trails, sidewalks, and parking lots maintained by the city.

• Oversees and directs the work of classified and temporary employees and volunteers.

• Other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Encourages an environment of collaboration and teamwork.

• Selects, trains, and evaluates employees.

• Completes assigned supervisory training.

• Provides guidance and assists employees in the fulfillment of responsibilities.

• Assigns and directs work; addresses and resolves issues.

• Manages employee performance through meaningful, timely feedback and appraisals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in parks administration, natural resources conservation, landscape architecture, or directly related field; and

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities and grounds maintenance; municipal management, parks operation and maintenance, natural and environmental resource conservation, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience; or

• An equivalent combination of education, training and work experience that produces the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position may be considered.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment criminal background check, motor vehicle records check, drug screen and physical.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and operating requirements of municipal parks programs; natural resource conservation, construction administration and maintenance practices; landscape maintenance; facilities management; computer operations and capabilities; drafting and design; budgeting; and financial management.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, citizens, and elected officials.

• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and fulfill goals and objectives.

• Direct and effectively supervise a large workforce; and administer budgets.

• Strong interpersonal, decision-making, and managerial skills.

• Managerial skill in the use of personal computers including spreadsheet, word processing and database software applications. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

• Activities are performed in a standard indoor office environment; outdoor work includes driving to and from outdoor work sites.  Outdoor work and travel include exposure to prevailing weather conditions. 

• Long periods of sitting, standing or walking may be required. Essential duties include lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling objects weighing up to 100 pounds with or without assistance. 

• Basic ability to manipulate tools, equipment, instruments, and devices requiring coordination with eyes, hands, and/or feet. 

• Basic skills and abilities that involve the operation of small to heavy equipment including hand, power, and motorized equipment. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Littleton is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and intends to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants regardless of age, ancestry, color, creed, disability, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law, and to hire and retain the best-qualified individuals without regard to any of these factors. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on a protected class.

The City of Littleton will consider reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and employment. Applicants and employees can request an accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 303-795-3857 or emailing hr@littletongov.org.

Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace

The City of Littleton is committed to the health and safety of all its employees. To ensure a safe and productive work environment the city prohibits the use, sale, dispensation, manufacture, distribution or possession of alcohol, drugs, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia on any city premises or worksites. No employee shall report to work or be at work with alcohol or with any detectable amount of prohibited drugs in the employee's system. A detectable amount refers to the standards generally used in workplace drug & alcohol testing. This prohibition specifically includes marijuana, and decriminalized psychedelics whether used for medical purposes or obtained legally under state law.