Horticulturist / Senior Recreation Maintenance Specialist

Performs professional and technical horticultural work in the planning, installation, maintenance, and enhancement of landscaped areas, flower beds, trees, shrubs, gardens, and other ornamental plantings throughout City parks, facilities, and public spaces. Work includes monitoring plant health, implementing landscape improvement projects, coordinating seasonal planting programs, applying horticultural best practices, and providing technical guidance to maintenance staff. Work is performed under limited supervision.

• Plans, designs, installs, and maintains flower beds, gardens, planters, landscaped areas, and other horticultural features throughout City parks and facilities.
• Selects and recommends appropriate trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and groundcover based on site conditions, environmental factors, and maintenance requirements.
• Oversees seasonal planting programs including preparation, installation, removal, and replacement of plant materials.
• Monitors plant health and identifies diseases, pests, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental stress factors; recommends and implements corrective actions.
• Assists with planting, pruning, fertilization, watering, mulching, and maintenance of trees, shrubs, and ornamental landscapes.
• Implements integrated pest management practices and applies fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in accordance with applicable regulations and safety standards.
• Maintains records related to pesticide applications, plant inventories, landscape projects, and horticultural activities.
• Conducts soil assessments and recommends soil amendments and other improvements to support healthy plant growth.
• Assists with the planning and implementation of landscape renovations, beautification projects, and new park development projects.
• Provides technical guidance and training to maintenance staff regarding planting techniques, pruning methods, irrigation practices, and horticultural maintenance procedures.
• Assists with community beautification projects, volunteer planting events, and special City initiatives.
• Operates a variety of hand tools, power equipment, landscaping equipment, and vehicles associated with horticultural and grounds maintenance activities.
• Assists with special events, seasonal projects, and other Recreation and Parks maintenance operations as assigned.
• Assists with horticultural programming, community beautification initiatives, volunteer projects, and educational activities related to parks and green spaces.
• Receives and responds to citizen inquiries regarding landscaping, trees, and horticultural concerns.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED and moderate experience in horticulture, landscape maintenance, grounds management, or related work; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Associate's degree in Horticulture, Plant Science, Landscape Management, or related field experience preferred.
• Municipal parks, public grounds, botanical garden, golf course, or large-scale landscape maintenance experience preferred.

Licenses / Certifications:

• Valid driver's license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Certified Horticulturist, Certified Landscape Professional, or related certification preferred.
• Registered Technician/Commercial Pesticide Applicator – must be obtained within one year of employment. 

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of horticultural principles, plant identification, landscape design, and grounds maintenance practices.
• Knowledge of soil science, fertilization, irrigation systems, and plant health management.
• Knowledge of integrated pest management practices and safe pesticide application procedures.
• Knowledge of landscape installation and maintenance techniques.

Skills:

• Horticultural and landscape maintenance skills.
• Plant identification and diagnostic skills.
• Irrigation and grounds maintenance skills.
• Equipment operation skills. 

Abilities:

• Ability to identify and diagnose plant diseases, pest infestations, and environmental stress conditions.
• Ability to plan and coordinate landscape improvement projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, contractors, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to perform manual work for long periods of time.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Work Environment

• Worker is exposed to outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, noise, odors, dust, pollen, chemicals, and potentially dangerous equipment or materials. 
• Work may occasionally require evening, weekend, or holiday hours during special events, seasonal planting periods, or emergency situations.

• Stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception.
• Typical Weight Handled: up to 75 lbs.