OVERVIEW: 
As part of the Parks and Recreation – Division of Parks and Forestry team, reporting directly to the Parks and Forestry Superintendent, this position oversees and participates in the planning, design, installation, and maintenance of gardens in and around City parks, at gateways, and elsewhere.
The City of Upper Arlington is an equal opportunity employer, striving to foster an equitable and inclusive work environment.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: For purposes of 42 USC 12101:
1. Supervises assigned staff (e.g., recommends and develops policy; interviews applicants; recommends hiring, discipline, and firing; leads, motivates, collaborates, empowers, rewards, coaches, and praises; trains and instructs employees; assigns and directs work; appraises and evaluates performance; addresses complaints and resolves problems); prepares reports; monitors inventory.
2. Oversees and participates in the planning, design, procurement of materials, installation, and maintenance of lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and gardens in and around City parks, roadways, open spaces and facilities; prepares ground for planting (e.g., pulls weeds, shovels dirt, rakes soil, tills soil, applies topsoil); trims and prunes plant material; supervises and performs a variety of landscape maintenance including activities including watering, mulching, and weed control; removes bulbs and replaces; lays sod, transplants flowers, trees, and shrubbery; operates a variety of motorized equipment.
3. Monitors work of outside contractors doing work such as maintenance, design, installation and renovation; addresses and documents contractual issues; monitors inventory.
4. Applies herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides and keeps records; tours grounds, inspects, and submits soil and plant samples for testing; selects, handles, mixes and applies fertilizers and mulches; applies principles of PHC and IPM.
5. Coordinates assignments and supports all division and department staff as required (e.g., assists crews in mowing of park areas, cleaning of shelters, park areas, and street areas); performs other general internal and external maintenance activities required; supervises and participates in set-up, clean-up, and staffing of special events. Supervises and participates in storm response duties including tree/ debris and snow control responsibilities. Participates in first call rotation.
6. Coordinates volunteer projects and adoption relationships with individuals and groups; develops programs and workshops to educate the public; prepares relevant articles and brochures; promotes City programs.
7. Maintains licenses and certifications as required, if any.
8. Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
9. Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA safety standards that pertain to essential functions.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
10. Performs other duties as required. (5%)KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (* indicates developed after employment).
Knowledge of:
• *applicable laws, regulations, City Policies, procedures, and requirements including Ohio Ethics law and Public Records law;
• best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion practices, strategies, systems, and policies as it relates to area of work;
• workplace safety;
• inventory;
• pesticide application; including federal, state, and municipal laws and/or regulations dealing with pesticides
• best practices and trends in horticulture;
• public relations;
• horticulture and landscape design/maintenance;
• project management;
• local geographical area.
• irrigation
Skill in:
• computer operation;
• use of modern office equipment;
• motor vehicle operation;
• use of hand tools;
• use of gardening tools;
• operation of light motorized equipment.
Ability to:
• carry out detailed but basic written or oral instructions;
• interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, picture, or schedule form;
• deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context;
• exercise independent discretion;
• complete routine forms;
• compile and prepare reports;
• prepare accurate documentation;
• instruct others;
• respond to routine inquiries from public and/or officials;
• communicate effectively;
• cooperate with coworkers;
• demonstrate awareness of and an ability to effectively use cultural competency skills, and be aware of verbal and nonverbal forms of communication;
• understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications;
• develop and maintain effective working relationships;
• perform light manual labor;
• work in adverse weather conditions;
• travel to and gain access to work site.
EQUIPMENT USED: The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive.
Standard business office equipment, hand tools, gardening tools, sprayer, rototiller, mower, skid loader.
INHERENTLY HAZARDOUS OR PHYSICALLY DEMANDING WORKING CONDITIONS:
The employee has exposure to chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g., toner, correction fluid, etc.); and chemicals associated with lawn and tree maintenance (e.g., herbicide, fertilizer, road salt, etc.); ascends and/or descends ladders, stairs, or scaffolds; is exposed to environmental conditions which may result in injury from fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and/or poorly ventilated work areas, is exposed to possible injury from hazardous gases, chemicals, flammables, or air contaminates; is exposed to possible injury as a result of working with moving mechanical parts of equipment or machines; is exposed to possible injury due to unclean or unsanitary conditions; has exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions; may work an irregular shift; is required to be on-call; regularly required to lift, carry, push or pull objects 50 lbs. or less; occasionally required to life, carry, push or pull objects 100 lbs. or less.
NOTE: In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor physical demands strength ratings, this is considered medium to heavy work.
CITY VALUES:
Incumbent must model the following established city values: Teamwork/Collaboration, Integrity, Service, Leadership, Communication, Growth, Professionalism & Ethics.