Meet Our Team!
A First Responder's Career Funded by the City of Grand Junction
The City of Grand Junction continues to invest in the professional development of its employees. In addition to the generous benefit package and numerous other resources, the City also assists in paying for training and certifications for employees who are looking to enhance and expand their skill sets. Grand Junction Firefighter & Paramedic, Bronwyn Stevens, is proof of the City’s commitment to its employees. Over the course of the last three and a half years, Stevens has obtained her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, completed the Fire Academy, and just recently finished paramedic school – all of which were funded by the City of Grand Junction.
Stevens first heard about an EMT recruit position at the City of Grand Junction when she was living in Fresno, California attending California State University, where she also competed on the softball team. She had just obtained her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and was considering her next steps when her brother, who lives in Grand Junction, told her about the City’s job listing.
Grand Junction's Water Awarded Best in the U.S.
When it comes to water quality, Grand Junction has the best in the country. Grand Junction recently took home second place in the American Water Works Association’s Best of the Best Water Taste Test Competition, held in Toronto, Canada. Trained water flavor profilers scrutinized the entries during a blind taste test akin to wine tasting. More than two dozen winners of regional competitions competed for the coveted award. The competition's first-place winner was the City of Miramichi in New Brunswick, Canada. “Which means we won first place in the United States,” said Randi Kim, the utilities director for the City of Grand Junction.
Kim has overseen the City of Grand Junction's water and wastewater systems for nearly six years. In fall 2022, some of the staff in the water division entered water samples into a regional contest. “We were part of the Rocky Mountain section, and we got first place for our region, which qualified us for the North American competition in Toronto,” she said. “It was the first time we had ever entered, and the first time was the charm.”
A Rewarding Career with the Grand Junction Fire Department
Becoming a firefighter is no easy task. It requires grueling work, long hours, teamwork and a desire to help others. The Grand Junction Fire Department (GJFD) represents all of these qualities and constantly trains for a variety of emergencies. These first responders are equipped with rope rescue training, fire suppression, and emergency medical care. Because of these caring and well-trained individuals, the City of Grand Junction residents have some of the most qualified professionals providing emergency care during unexpected and stressful situations.
For Grand Junction firefighter paramedic Zach Leyda, taking care of people is a privilege and a big part of what drives him. Seeing people survive and thrive, thanks to the quick care provided by Grand Junction’s first responders, is even more rewarding. One emergency involved a woman whose heart stopped while she was spending time with her family.
Keeping Grand Junction Beautiful
When spring temperatures begin to rise, the City of Grand Junction Parks & Recreation Department’s Horticulture Division sees the fruit of their labor bloom. Each year the City makes a concerted effort to increase the number of flowers and other plants grown in the City’s greenhouse. In 2022, the horticulture team grew around 10,000 flowers and plants, which adorned City parks and Downtown Main Street. This year they are aiming much higher.
Tim Wilkerson and the horticulture team work year-round to bring color to the community with vivid displays of vibrant flowers. “So far, the City plans to grow an astonishing 5,769 plants from purchased liners, 36,133 plants from seed and 3,500 plants from cuttings,” Wilkerson said. “We are shooting to grow 45,402 plants for installation in 2023,” he said. “This number does not include the several thousand shrubs we purchase each year.” This season, they’ve already planted 4,000 pansies at City Hall and around Grand Junction.
City of Grand Junction Firefighter Enjoys Making a Difference
Becoming a full-time firefighter takes discipline and perseverance. From the competitive nature of the industry to the challenging training and life-threatening risks, there are many factors involved in a firefighter career. Grand Junction currently has 7 fire stations across the city, with the most recent station built in January of 2023.
For those looking to enter firefighting as a career, Grand Junction offers excellent benefits and opportunities. Jonathan Johnson, who has worked for the Grand Junction Fire Department for a year and a half, has seen that growth firsthand. “The City has built a new station every year for the past few years,” Johnson said.
“It can be a competitive career field, but it’s a good time to be in the Grand Junction area and want to be a firefighter because the department is growing,” said Dirk Clingman, who works in Community Outreach for the Grand Junction Fire Department.
City of Grand Junction's Parental Leave Program
Life does not get more real and special than having a newborn arrive home. The very first yawn, smile, stretch, giggle, crawl, and the first evening where the baby has slept through the night – every moment is significant, memorable, and monumental. It’s hard to imagine missing any of these moments, yet when balancing a career, it’s a daily reminder that returning to work means just that.
While societal recognition about the importance of parental leave from work has grown, the City of Grand Junction’s family leave program is particularly generous. The program allows up to 12 weeks of paid leave to both mothers and fathers of a newborn or newly adopted or fostered children and is available to full-time employees in all departments.
Full-time Career Could Start with a Part-time Job
A full-time position at the City of Grand Junction may not be far from reach, even if it begins with a part-time position, according to Jeff Anderson, the Facilities Supervisor for the City. Jeff would know, having worked his way from a part-time job to his current position.
Jeff started at the City right out of high school, working in the cemeteries the City of Grand Junction manages. His first job was a seasonal position in 2002. This led to another seasonal position, which was followed by a 30-hour per week position. Jeff then accepted a full-time position in 2008. Along the way, he took advantage of the many educational opportunities the city offered as he steadily advanced his career.
“I didn’t have any formal education, but the City gives so many opportunities for professional development for whatever field or trade you’re going for,” he said. “They offer leadership classes such as Colorado State University Extension’s master gardener class. If you’re willing to take it seriously and invest your time, then the City is willing to invest in you. There are a lot more professional opportunities than people realize, and the City of Grand Junction helps people to take advantage of those opportunities.”
City Forester Creates New Community Open Spaces and Enjoys His Own
Rob Davis, the City of Grand Junction Forester & Open Space supervisor, has spent more than two decades advocating for trees. Since 2000, Rob has worked in a city forester role for five Colorado cities, including Greeley, Windsor, Westminster, Denver, and now, Grand Junction. After working as the city forester for the City and County of Denver for nine years, Rob decided it was time for a change.
While he enjoyed what he was doing for the city of Denver, he didn’t love working in downtown Denver and fighting traffic on his lengthy commute. He jumped at the chance to move his family of five to the Grand Junction area.
Relocating for a Job in Grand Junction was the Perfect Choice for this Police Officer and His Young Family
Relocating for a job can be intimidating. Especially with the changes looming over your head such as: finding housing, choosing schools if you have kids, making new friends, and the elevated anxiety that comes with any professional transition – it is overwhelming. However, for City of Grand Junction Police Officer Justin Trejo, the process was seamless (perhaps even serendipitous), and now, two years later, his family is thrilled with their decision and the life they have built in Grand Junction.
“Everything fell into place,” said Justin, who is a school resource officer with the Grand Junction Police Department.
Justin, his wife, and their two young children had been living in San Diego, California where he was a probation officer, but they were ready to relocate to find a better quality of life. Their top choice was Grand Junction, Colorado. When a job opened at the Grand Junction Police Department in late 2019, Justin said he “jumped at the opportunity.”
College Internship Leads to Full-time Position for CMU Graduate
Grand Junction native, Stevie Oviatt, started her career working a paid internship with the City of Grand Junction and was later hired into a full-time position– all while finishing her degree at Colorado Mesa University (CMU). Stevie couldn’t be happier with how her career has progressed and the opportunities the City of Grand Junction has given her.
“I had met the staff at a couple of hiring events. I really enjoyed talking with them and meeting the accounting team, so I decided to interview.”
Stevie’s transition from internship to a full-time position was accelerated when a position opened up shortly after she began in the City’s Accounting & Finance department.