Water Conservation Intern – Horticulture Assistant

JOB LOCATION

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hiring Salary: $20/hour

The deadline to submit an application to this position is March 22, 2026. However, it is subject to close at any time once a qualified pool of applications is obtained.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT 

The Water Conservation Intern - Horticultural Assistant promotes and educates customers in the Aurora Water-wise Garden. Horticulture Assistants will perform skilled manual and technical work to maintain the Water-wise Garden, assist in coordinating volunteers and educating customers in water-wise principles and techniques, and assist with work planning by scheduling, organizing, and securing materials and equipment for the accomplishment of assigned tasks.

This is a 40 hour per week, Variable Hour Non-Benefits Eligible position. Horticulture Assistants' work schedule will be Tuesdays through Saturdays. The position reports to the Water Conservation Specialist – Water-wise Garden lead.

This is a seasonal, 40 hour per week position that reports to the Water Conservation Specialist lead. The anticipated start date for this May 18th with an approximate end date in mid-September.

This position is not safety-sensitive and will not be subject to a pre-employment drug screen.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Completes routine tasks including weeding, mulching, watering, planting, pruning dead heading, seed collecting, compost, trash, and herbicide application on a regular basis.
• Operates power tools commonly used for landscape maintenance.
• Assists in facilitating volunteer work projects.
• Installs and repairs irrigation systems.
• Educates garden visitors on water-wise principles and Aurora's water conservation programs.
• Utilizes open communication to maintain positive relationships with team members, visitors, volunteer, lead, and supervisors.
• Compiles data using MS Excel.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Education:

• High School diploma or GED with current enrollment in college-level horticulture, landscape architecture/design, landscape maintenance, or environmental education program with a college, university, or technical school

Preferred Experience:

• Horticulture, landscape maintenance, irrigation system repair and installation experience, and working in a team environment
• Experience creating content for social media
• Experience with ArcGIS and Field Maps

Preferred Knowledge:

• Knowledge of methods, techniques, and equipment used in water-wise landscaping, horticulture, and applicable safety practices and procedures
• Knowledge of Colorado and western water issues

Skills:

• Must exhibit strong customer service skills, interpersonal communication and collaboration skills
• Proper use and understanding of tools, equipment, methods, and safety practices common to the assigned maintenance function
• Must be proficient at Microsoft Office Suite

Abilities:

• Ability to be organized, creative, and effective when priorities change rapidly due to changing conditions
• Communicate effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing
• Make detailed observations of changing environments and maintain accurate records
• Maintain a teamwork environment
• Ability to work in all weather conditions

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Colorado driver's license with a good driving history. This position requires protective clothing including durable trousers and sturdy work boots.  

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:

• Frequently performs medium physical work that involves moving no more than 50 pounds at a time with or without assistance
• Infrequently performs heavy physical work that involves moving no more than 100 pounds at a time with or without assistance
• Frequently performs activities requiring a full range of body movement including bending, stooping, kneeling, pushing, pulling, and climbing
• Hand-eye and hand-foot coordination for operation of tools, equipment, and vehicle
• Vision to read manuals; speech communication to communicate with employees and citizens.

Work Environment:

• Works primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions with potential exposure to noise, dust, fumes, chemicals, and animals including stinging insects.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, and Excel
• Operates tools, equipment, and vehicles common to landscape maintenance and irrigation system repairs. 
• This position requires protective clothing including durable trousers and sturdy work boots
• This position may require the use of personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, etc.) in the course of employment

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
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 Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.