Remember when you were a kid and adults would regularly ask you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” If you’re like us, the responses would range from the near-impossible to the achievable: from movie stars, international spies, and famous athletes to firefighters, teachers, and farmers.
While some children dream of far-off places and careers, many look up to their parents and want to follow in their footsteps. They see what a positive impact an organization has on their family and community. As they grow, they recognize the company’s values, having been raised hearing about their parents’ experiences and the positive impact the organization had on their lives. By following in their parents’ footsteps, they can continue the family legacy while honoring their parents’ hard work and dedication.
Within the City of Greeley, employees know a career as a public servant means working for the benefit of the residents and our community. It’s about improving quality of life, serving the greater good, and making a positive impact. It’s no wonder, then, that for some families, this dedication to the community is a legacy that is passed from generation to generation.
We sat down with some City of Greeley employees whose families’ multigenerational impact is creating a lasting legacy at work and in our community.
Growing Up with the City
As a teen, Shantelle began her career in the City’s Fun In the Sun (F.I.T.S.) program, where she led summer activities for younger children throughout Greeley. Over three summers, she learned what it’s like working for the City of Greeley, providing much-needed community services at facilities like the Rodarte Community Center in north Greeley and the Anna Gimmestad Community Center in south Greeley.
“I loved working with the kids and meeting all of the different people from the community,” said Shantelle.
Later, Shantelle took the skills she learned with the city summer program and applied them to a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), a certification she keeps to this day. Then, Shantelle learned of a City of Greeley job opportunity that would bring her back to the place that meant so much to her and her family. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Shantelle’s connection with the City of Greeley began much earlier that her first summer job. Her Dad, Daniel, worked for the Streets Division and came home daily wearing his Streets uniform, talking about his day and experiences serving the residents of Greeley.
At home, Daniel proudly displayed his numerous medals from yearly snow and ice competitions. Each fall, Shantelle would anxiously await the annual City Hall at the Mall event where she had chance to see up close the massive equipment that her dad talked about and see the original artwork painted on the snowplow blades by local middle and high schoolers.
“I thought the city was the coolest thing ever,” Shantelle said smiling. “As a kid, I thought, maybe I’ll work there someday.”
Now, Shantelle has children of her own, three daughters. “The favorite part of my job is making an impact in the city,” said Shantelle. “I plan to stay here and show my daughters that the City of Greeley is a great organization to work for. I would be happy if they were a part of our family tradition.”
Speaking of family tradition, Shantelle’s cousin, Marissa, also participated in the Summer Teen Employment Program (S.T.E.P.) at a young age and now works at the Union Colony Civic Center.
“It is a good place to work,” Marissa said. “I hope to continue to be here and retire some day from the City of Greeley.”
In the meantime, Marissa’s sons will be the next generation to participate in S.T.E.P. (and maybe become future employees at the City of Greeley!).
Dream Jobs: For Now and For Good
Not everyone who lands a position with the city is looking for their dream job. For Jerry, a strike that took place at a previous employer in 1980 left him needing a place to work. So, he came to work for Greeley’s Streets Division and worked his way up from equipment operator to foreman to street superintendent.
“I’m livin’ the dream,” said Jerry. “I don’t want to retire. I enjoy what I do.” That sentiment seems to be common across many city departments.
Jerry’s son, JD, saw his dad working for the city but decided to pursue his dream job in a different department—the Parks Department.
“I always wanted to be in Parks since I was a little kid,” JD said. “I knew I couldn’t get on in Streets with my dad, because it wasn’t my thing.”
JD started with the City’s Summer Sibling program, working as a 13-year-old for $3.16 an hour at Island Grove Regional Park. Later, he too joined S.T.E.P.
He realized his goal of working for the Parks Department in 2008. He helped places like Monfort Park, Centennial Park and our world-class ballfields become the talk of the town. And his dream doesn’t stop there. JD knows that the skills and experience he has learned at the city will one day take him to that next dream: he wants to become a campground host for the National Parks.
Jerry and JD agree that working for the city has been good to them and they are looking for others to join them.
“We have lots of openings for anyone that is willing to go above and beyond,” said Jerry. “We can train you to do anything.”
JD added, “The city has always made a point that family is a priority. There’s lots of flexibility and the benefits are good.”
Three Generations Impacting the Community
Take a moment and think of someone you know who influenced your career. For Megan, there were two influencers: her grandfather William, who retired from the Greeley Fire Department, and her father Steven, who started with Greeley Public Works and retired working in Parks.
Another influence was her time spent working via S.T.E.P. (you might be sensing a theme here!) at Island Grove Regional Park. Then came college.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” said Megan. “I loved the Parks Department, but I didn’t know it could be a career. When I found that out, I decided on a Parks and Recreation major, graduated, and now I’m working as an operations coordinator for CPRD [Culture, Parks, and Recreation Department].”
Megan quickly realized that the relationships she built meeting coworkers of her dad and grandfather and through S.T.E.P. helped her thrive during her time with the city. Her dad is proud of the role he has played in his daughter’s career, passing on his knowledge, skills, and experiences to his her.
“Dad is really proud that one of his kids stuck it out,“ Megan chuckled. “He still talks about how things have changed and grown in Greeley. And, of course, he loves to provide his feedback to make it even better.”
For Megan, that’s what it’s all about: being a part of something great and watching the city become more diverse and vibrant.
“There are lots more women in the workplace now, running facilities and working in positions that were traditionally held by men,” said Megan. “I could work and learn from other municipalities. But why? I’m learning and growing and there are great opportunities to continue to do that here at the city.”
Greeley Water Employees Passing Down the Torch
Randy Gustafson dedicated 45 years to managing Greeley’s water. He passed that passion on to his son, Cole.
Cole planned to be a teacher, earning a history degree at Colorado State University, but a summer job working with mountain water changed that. Cole built a reputation in the water industry and that expertise eventually led him to Greeley.
“Greeley was getting things done,” said Cole. “The things that the city was able to accomplish was amazing and I wanted to be a part.” And with that, Cole joined his dad, Randy, at Greeley’s Water & Sewer Department.
Randy’s path to water was a bit more unconventional. A friend told him about a job he might like as they drank beer and ate Mexican food. The job was up the Poudre Canyon and included a house to live in. Randy agreed to try it out for a year. Now, 45 years later, he has witnessed many major water projects and enjoyed the challenging work.
“My work at the mountain reservoir, it was the best job in the city,” said Randy. “I wasn’t in an office every day. I was in the mountains, providing Greeley water—interacting with ditch companies and federal agencies.”
One particular event that stands out to Randy and Cole is the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire. The devastating fire brought numerous local, state and federal agencies together to defeat the fire and plan for the future of the area. It also allowed Randy, Cole, and Cole’s brother to work together, which sometimes surprised consultants on the project.
“I told the consultants that if they see three guys in a fist fight, it’s just us,” Randy joked. “Just like Thanksgiving at the house.” Another memorable project was Greeley’s Terry Ranch project which “set Greeley up as a water powerhouse,” according to Cole.
What’s the secret to success in water? Being independent and knowing about water rights is good but building relationships across the water industry is the most important.
Randy and Cole agree that Greeley is the place to be.
“The city is the place for innovation. We see it every day. They want you to be successful. That’s not something you see in many places,” said Cole.
Are you interested in starting your own career with the City of Greeley? Visit our job center and start building your career to shape our community today.
