Horticultural Equipment Operator III (City Nursery in Chesapeake, VA)

The City of Norfolk's Department of Parks and Recreation is currently seeking an Equipment Operator III for the City Nursery (located in Chesapeake, Virginia).  This position is heavily horticultural and unique to other Equipment Operator III position while operating heavy equipment while performing landscaping duties and grounds maintenance operations. 

Norfolk's department of Parks and Recreation is proud to announce it has been awarded national accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies. This ensures we will continue to provide quality recreational services that enrich the lives of Norfolk's residents. The City of Norfolk Cemetery Fund produces annual revenues in excess of $2.5 million.


Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Operates heavy equipment to include large farm equipment, backhoes, front end loaders, dump trucks, and maintainers.  This position also pulls trailers and operates mowers, tractors, dump trucks, forklifts, and other motorized equipment in grounds maintenance operations.  

• Maintains grounds and right of ways by collecting and delivering trash containers, mowing grass, raking leaves, digging holes, planting, pruning and maintaining trees and flower beds, mixing and applying chemicals, loading and applying mulch, weed eating, trimming, performing general care of landscape, grading athletic fields for game play, installing and maintaining turf, removing trees, grinding tree stumps, identifying plants and trees, cleaning up job sites, hauling topsoil, grading, removing snow, aerating lawns, cutting grass, trimming trees, removing dead limbs, removing storm damage, cutting back weeds, picking up and removing litter, refuse and debris from vacant lots.

• Performs safety checks and minor preventative maintenance on equipment, including but not limited to, checking fluids, changing blades and daily inspections to ensure equipment is safe to operate.

• Other duties as assigned

Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.

Two years' experience as an Equipment Operator or successful completion of a City apprenticeship program.

Preferred License(s) and/or Certifications:

• CDL Class B with Air Brakes Endorsement

Additional Preferred Experience:

• Experience in plant nursery or greenhouse growing operations

Work Hours: Monday -Friday, 6:30AM to 3:00PM, 40 hours per week

Salary : $41,503 - $69,341