Horticulture Worker II

General Description and Hiring Rate

The hiring rate for this position is $18.33/hr.
Under the direct supervision of the Public Works Maintenance Supervisor, or designee. Performs unskilled and semi-skilled manual labor related to horticulture functions in City parks and facilities, in the Parks Division of the Public Works Department. Assignments include planting, removal and care of various plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees in accordance with City ordinances and Departmental policies. Requires the ability to be contacted by telephone for call-out after hours. Work is reviewed through observations and obtained results.

Essential Job Functions

• Facilitates and maintains appropriate landscape maintenance schedules to include fertilization, cleaning, pruning, re-mulching, and seasonal flower plantings. Completes work orders initiated by both internal and external work order requests, documents and completes work orders.
• Operates and maintains trucks, mowers, grass edgers, string trimmers, clippers, and other equipment used in landscaping and grounds maintenance.
• Performs preventative maintenance on equipment and tools prior to performing assigned duties to include, but not limited to, safety equipment check and appropriate pre-operation maintenance.
• Conducts inspections to detect evidence of diseases, insects and/or other conditions endangering or inhibiting the proper growth of trees, shrubs and flowers; takes corrective measures.
• Performs cosmetic pruning to trees using proper International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) pruning standards.
• May operate heavy equipment in the performance of required task, including front end loaders, backhoes, bobcats, bucket trucks, dump trucks, tractors, stump grinders, forklifts as required.
• Performs a variety of general manual maintenance labor which will require light to heavy lifting.
• Applies pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers to product instructions at the direction of the City’s Licensed Technician.
• Assists in landscape design and drawing of plans. Assist in the purchasing of appropriate plant material. Performs minor irrigation repair and construction.
• Some weekend work may be required. Mandatory overtime is possible and/or likely.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Reports for disaster duty as required.

Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of modern practices and principles of horticulture and arboriculture and related fields.
• Knowledgeofirrigationsystemsandminorrepair.
• Knowledge of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards on tree pruning, installation, and general care.
• Knowledge of Florida Friendly landscaping plants and techniques.
• Skill in the proper use and safe operation of vehicles, equipment, and various hand and power tools utilized in all phases of horticulture work.
• Ability to physically perform light to heavy manual labor in all weather conditions.
• Ability to understand, communicate, and follow both oral and written instructions.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid).
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Reaching, digging, lifting.
• Use of fingers, use of hands.
• Standing, bending, walking.