Operations Manager Landscaping Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $72,850.00 - $109,260.00 Annually
Location : El Paso County, Colorado Springs, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2600308
Department: Parks Department
Division: Park Maintenance
Opening Date: 07/11/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
HR Contact Information: Yolanda Smith: YolandaSmith@elpasoco.com
Need help with applying? Visit our Talent Acquisition page here for application guidance and resources.
VISION
El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.
PURPOSE
We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.
VALUES
Service Focused • Collaborative • Accountable • Trustworthy • Transparent
Job Summary
Do you have a passion for the great outdoors, a green thumb for nurturing vibrant landscapes, and a natural ability to lead others? Are you ready to advance your career while preserving and enhancing the beauty of El Paso County's parks? If so, we invite you to apply for the Park Operations Supervisor position based out of Fountain Creek Regional Park. This position will oversee various parks, trails, and open spaces in El Paso County's south park district.
In this rewarding leadership role, you'll oversee daily maintenance and operations while leading a dedicated team committed to delivering exceptional park experiences. You'll provide direction, mentorship, and hands-on support as you coordinate maintenance, landscaping, irrigation, turf management, construction projects, facility improvements, and trail and open space management. From developing staff and managing budgets to planning projects and ensuring safe, high-quality operations, you'll play a vital role in maintaining the beauty, functionality, and sustainability of our parks.
This is your opportunity to combine your passion for the outdoors with your leadership expertise and make a lasting impact on the community. Join El Paso County Parks to help preserve the natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and legacy of El Paso County Parks for generations to come.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training is provided by El Paso County for qualified employees.
Hiring Range: $80,000.00 - $87,000.00 annually
This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday - Thursday, 6:00 am - 4:30 pm. This position will be 4x10's, as well as when needed (i.e., may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays)
Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.
Under the direction of the Park Operations Division Leadership, plans, organizes, and supervises the work of park maintenance personnel. Ensures work is performed according to departmental goals and schedules. Performs skilled labor tasks associated with park maintenance. Provides a professional example of work standards, ethics, and positive attitude for colleagues. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises and coordinates maintenance activities for the Division, including grounds maintenance and facility or equipment maintenance, and construction, including turf and irrigation maintenance, horticulture activities, minor construction, facility cleaning, and trash collection. Provides supervision, mentorship, guidance, and training to staff. Conducts performance evaluations and motivates employees to reach peak productivity and performance; participates in the hiring and disciplinary process.
• Coordinates maintenance and construction activities with other crews, volunteers, County departments and divisions, other organizations, and the public as necessary. Ensures work is performed according to maintenance goals and guidelines.
• Inspects maintenance and construction activities and provides project schedules, reports, and data analysis to management and ensures efficient deployment of resources. Coordinates with Division Leadership concerning equipment, materials, and staffing needs and requirements.
• Interprets and implements procedures and standards for the maintenance and completion of assigned operations. Reviews progress and recommends changes in priorities and schedules.
• Tours district facilities on an ongoing basis and identifies necessary repairs. Monitors work of outside contractors and assists in the development and implementation of strategic planning, goals, goal measurement, objectives, and priorities of assigned programs. Responsible for monitoring the budget for assigned district and ensuring projects are completed within budget.
• Performs skilled labor in any or all of the areas of grounds maintenance and facility or equipment maintenance and construction, including turf and irrigation maintenance, horticulture activities, minor construction, facility cleaning, and trash collection.
• Performs labor tasks required in the maintenance of park facilities, including the use and operation of specialized vehicles, equipment, and power tools as needed for assigned maintenance and improvement projects.
• Operates light and heavy equipment and vehicles such as riding mower, skid-steer, backhoe, turf maintenance equipment, and dump truck. Performs inspections, routine preventative maintenance, and cleaning of assigned vehicles.
• Identifies and recommends the need for various minor and major capital improvements to management within assigned areas,, including existing and potential safety concerns, turf, horticulture, forestry, irrigation, building and facility maintenance, construction, and other programs. Determines and recommends additional supplies, tools, or materials needed to complete recommended improvements.
• Manages district budget, tracks expenses, and writes purchase orders.
• Responsible for maintaining and purchasing supplies and materials as needed; maintains records of all purchases and expenditures.
• Works with Recreation staff to prepare facilities for the County Fair.
• Attends management, parks, planning, and other meetings as needed.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised: This classification requires supervising and monitoring performance for a regular group of employees or unit(s) including providing input on hiring/disciplinary action and work objectives/ effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed. A first-line or second-line supervisor typically performs these tasks.
Supervision Received: Receives administrative supervision. This classification typically performs job duties and resolves conflict according to their own judgment and initiatives, requesting supervisory assistance only when necessary. Special projects are managed with little oversight, and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of landscaping, forestry, arboriculture, and horticulture.
• Extensive knowledge of materials, methods, and equipment used in the operation, maintenance, and repair of park areas and facilities.
• Knowledge of hand and power tools, painting, plumbing, and minor electrical repairs.
• Knowledge of Park Operations Division programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs to include Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Ability to effectively supervise and train staff and ensure that assignments are completed in a safe, proper, and timely manner; ability to objectively review, evaluate, and document the performance of employees.
• Ability to safely operate light and heavy equipment; ability to operate a road grader, skid loader, box-blade, or tractor.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish working relationships with co-workers, County staff, and the public. Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to identify problems and develop and recommend resolutions to management.
• Ability to create a positive atmosphere and environment that fosters teamwork.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Four years of progressively responsible work experience in maintenance or construction.
• Two years of supervisory or leadership experience.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in park administration, horticulture, landscape architecture, or related field.
• Six years of progressively responsible work experience in maintenance or construction.
• Turf Management Experience.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must obtain a valid Colorado Class A Commercial Driver's License with no air brake (L) restriction within six months of employment; Tanker Endorsement (N) preferred; CDL training is provided by El Paso County.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, and physical examination.

Work Conditions
Duties are performed both indoors and outside in the field in various weather conditions. Requires physical effort to perform frequent lifting, bending, and climbing. Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis. Physical hazards may be present when mixing or working with chemicals, power tools, and motorized equipment. May be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Subject to drug and alcohol testing.
The classification specification above is intended to describe the general nature of work, key responsibilities, and minimum qualifications. Minimum qualifications reflect the baseline experience required for the classification. Departments may establish additional or preferred qualifications to address operational needs, assignment complexity, and specialized functions, provided such qualifications are job-related, consistent with the intent of the classification, and as approved by the Human Resources department. Specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and working conditions may vary based on the department or office's needs and the requirements of the assigned position. Changes to this classification specification may only be made by the Human Resources Department.
El Paso County is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.
El Paso County adheres to Federal drug screening guidelines and requires a pre-employment drug screen.
Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave
• 11 paid holidays
• Onsite health centers
• Onsite fitness centers
• Reach Your Peak wellness program
• Short and long term disability
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts to include dependent care
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plan
• Deferred compensation (457b)

Click on links for and the El Paso County Retirement Plan
01
How did you learn of this position?

• I am currently employed by EPC
• El Paso County Website
• Indeed.com
• Employee Referral
• Social Media (Twitter/Facebook)
• LinkedIn
• University/College Career Site
• Industry-specific Career Site
• Professional Membership Career Site
• Career Fair
• Other

02
Please select your highest level of education.

• High school diploma or equivalent education
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher
• None of the above

03
Do you have a Bachelor's degree or higher in park administration, horticulture, landscape architecture, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

04
How many years of progressively responsible work experience in maintenance or construction do you have?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years or more

05
Briefly describe your progressively responsible maintenance or construction experience, including the types of facilities, parks, or infrastructure you maintained and the increasing level of responsibility. Applicants are expected to provide detailed responses. References such as "see résumé" do not demonstrate the required experience and may result in disqualification. If you do not have applicable experience, you may indicate "N/A."
06
Do you have two years of supervisory or leadership experience?

• Yes
• No

07
Please describe your supervisory or leadership experience. Include your job title(s), the number of employees you supervised, and the supervisory responsibilities you held. Applicants are expected to provide detailed responses. References such as "see résumé" do not demonstrate the required experience and may result in disqualification. If you do not have applicable experience, you may indicate "N/A."
08
Do you have experience in turf management?

• Yes
• No

09
If you answered yes to question #8, please describe your experience in turf management. Applicants are expected to provide detailed responses. References such as "see résumé" do not demonstrate the experience and may result in dis