Horticulturalist

Job Summary At The City of Frederick, we value diversity and the respect, engagement, and productivity an inclusive environment produces.
We seek to consistently improve internal and external customer satisfaction, innovate, and expand capability of services, and be a government that practices equality, equity, and fairness.
We invite you to bring your skills, abilities, and knowledge to The City of Frederick and be a valued addition to a workforce that we know is our greatest asset.
Frederick is a progressive, richly diverse, and authentically charming city.
Recognized as one of the best places to live in Maryland, Frederick is surrounded by mountain views and centrally located about 45 miles north of Washington D.
C.
and 45 miles west of Baltimore, MD.
JOB SUMMARY: The primary responsibility of the Horticulturalist is to plan, coordinate, and perform routine and special activities primarily related to horticulture, chemical and fertilizer application, irrigation, landscaping, etc.
, also responsible for design, installation, and maintenance of grass, flowers, shrubs and trees.
The jobholder is an essential employee meaning they are responsible for providing services that are critical functions required to maintain order, peace, safety, and the well-being of residents and visitors to The City of Frederick in the event of a critical incident.
As such, the jobholder will be required to respond to emergencies as needed throughout the Department of Public Works when directed to do so.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides primary horticultural support to staff and public as it relates to parks, trees, landscape, etc.
Maintains planting beds and plant material through variety of available options.
Directs workers in maintenance and repair of turf, landscape plantings, trees, picnic areas, playgrounds, benches, tables, tennis courts, basketball courts, and other park amenities.
Designs and estimates costs associated with new projects.
Oversees maintenance of irrigation systems in accordance with specifications, which may include repairs, winter maintenance, quality assurance checks, records, etc.
Attends training sessions, compiles information, and trains volunteers on subject matter.
Creates basic landscape plans and presentations.
Performs inspections of parks and public facilities and reports unsafe or inadequate conditions to supervisor.
Applies or oversees application of chemicals for purposes of pest control and checks effectiveness of chemicals applied.
Applies pesticides to City-maintained properties, such as parks, storm ponds, roadsides, etc.
and maintains appropriate records in accordance with State and Federal law.
Operates to a high degree of efficiency all standard horticultural tools and machinery which may occasionally expose employees to high levels of noise and dust.
Compiles and maintains SDS sheets in accordance with HAZCOM Program of City of Frederick and OSHA Standards.
Responds to questions and concerns from the general public; provides information as is appropriate and resolves complaints.
Manages time, quality, and total output to also include that of volunteer subordinates.
Suggests formula and procedure changes to improve quality of services provided.
Oversees scheduling turf maintenance with contractor, which includes fertilizer and lime applications to multiple park areas.
Creates landscape plans, planting plans and oversees contractor bids on materials and labor.
Plans plant design of volunteer park area.
Oversees planting, care, and maintenance of volunteer park areas.
Trains and coordinates activities of volunteer groups, including (and not limited to) how to prepare garden beds, mulch, clean-up, and use tools safely.
Answers inquiries and/or complaints from citizens regarding methods, materials, products, and price ranges in person, by telephone, and via email Prepares service estimates according to labor hour, material, and machine requirement costs determined from job site appraisal data, experience, and records.
Interprets company policies to workers and enforces safety regulations.
Participates in new projects, special events, storm clean-up, and snow removal as needed.
Operates a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.
Obtains pricing and availability of plant and other necessary materials for different job sites/locations.
Participates in new projects, special events, storm clean-up, and snow removal as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Assists with supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Trains employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; assist with appraising performance, and disciplining employees; rewarding employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Maintains communication with other employees, supervisors, and the public through timely and effective use of email, phone, or other methods.
Effectively manages own time, quality, and total output to also include that of the employees.
Required Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Associate degree (A.
A.
) from a two-year college or technical school with a concentration in Botany, Ornamental Horticulture, Entomology, or a related field.
Four (4) years of experience in a horticultural-related field.
Two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience in a horticultural-related field.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES: Vehicle Operator’s license with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City’s insurance carrier is required.
The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment.
State of Maryland Roadside Tree Care Expert Certification or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.
The employee must maintain the certification for the duration of their employment.
State of Maryland Certified Pesticide Applicator's License in three of the following categories: 3A (Exterior Ornamentals), 3C (Turf), 6 (Right of Way) or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.
The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment.
Ability to obtain a Pesticide Applicator's I.
D.
within 30 days of employment.
The employee must maintain for the duration of their employment.
Temporary Traffic Control Manager Certification or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.
REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.
): Knowledge of tools and equipment used in landscape design and maintenance.
Knowledge of Federal, state, and local laws and standards governing area of responsibility.
Knowledge of proper methods of applying pesticides and fertilizers.
Knowledge of time management methods and techniques.
Knowledge of computers, software and ability to research using the Internet or the ability to learn.
Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management.
Identify unsafe conditions and take corrective action.
Troubleshoot and assess problems and determine most effective corrective action.
Communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing.
Interact effectively with the general public.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs and have a basic knowledge of geometry and algebra.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and technical reports.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Ability to use equipment such as chemical sprayer, tractor, mower, verticutter, aerifier, sod cutter, truck, weed eater, trailer, roller, power fertilizer spreader.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
OTHER DESIRABLES: Valid CDL License or equivalent.
Certified Maryland Professional Horticulturist or ASHS Certified Horticulturist.
MDA Professional Fertilizer Applicator license.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and move about—sometimes on uneven terrain.
The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands or fingers to handle, grasp or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
The successful candidate must be able to frequently lift 50 lbs.
with occasional lifts of up to 100 lbs.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITION: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is normally performed in an outdoor setting with exposure to weather conditions such as extreme heat and cold as well as inclement weather conditions, e.
g.
, rain, snow, ice, etc.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts.
The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles, toxic and caustic chemicals, vibrations, and insects/wildlife.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Equal Opportunity Employer