What are the responsibilities and job description for the Gardener position at City of Springfield, MA?
Position Purpose/Summary
Essential Functions
- Performs skilled landscaped maintenance, including planting, renovating, pruning, weeding, cleaning, mulching, watering, and fertilizing on a wide variety of ornamental trees, shrubs, grasses, ground covers, annuals, and perennials.
- Responsible for the care of diverse plantings of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, grasses, and bulbs.
- Responsible for planting, transplanting, and propagation of plant material.
- Performs skilled turf maintenance including mowing, weed-eating, edging, raking, aerating, fertilizing, seeding, and leaf mulching.
- Works in greenhouse preparing soils, seeding, budding, grafting, watering, dusting, spraying, and weeding.
- Sows, germinates, and transplants seeds indoors; maintains and stores flower seeds, bulbs and tubers.
- Weeds shrubs and flower beds along with preparing outdoor flower beds and transplants flowers; deadheads annuals and perennials.
- Creates, hangs, maintains park signage, and removes litter.
- Tends, digs, and stores perennial roots and bulbs through the fall and winter seasons.
- Scouts for pests and diseases.
- Assists in snow removal operation.
- Interacts with park patrons in a professional manner; answers questions on plants, flowers, and shrubs.
- Performs routine maintenance on tools, power equipment, and other motorized items.
- Related works as needed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Considerable knowledge of practical gardening and of the methods of raising and caring for flowers and plants in greenhouses or outdoors beds.
- Knowledge of plants, shrubs, trees, and flowers indigenous to Western Massachusetts and their care and maintenance requirements.
- Considerable knowledge of landscaping and horticultural practices.
- Ability to work in all weather and temperature conditions.
- Ability to perform general routine and maintenance on tools and equipment.
- Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and the general public.
Education and Experience
- Two (2) years of gardening experience or education in gardening, horticulture or a related field.
- Valid Massachusetts State Driver' License preferred.
NOTICE: The following benefits are contingent upon hours worked and bargaining vs. non-bargaining agreements.
Medical/Dental/ Vision
75% City Subsidized
All health insurance plans include Dental and Vision
Retirement
Available to employees working 20 hours per week
Paid Vacation
Bargaining unit positions are subject to contractual obligations.
Paid Holidays
All City employees receive 11 paid holidays per year.
Paid Sick Time
Full time employees are immediately eligible to begin accruing 1 1/4 days per month which can be taken after 6 months of service. Unused sick days can be rolled over to subsequent calendar years. Supplemental Long Term and Short disability coverage is available to employees at the employee cost.
Paid Personal Days
Use up to 3 of your accrued sick days as Personal days. Personal days cannot be rolled over into the next calendar year.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
A means for eligible employees to balance work and family responsibilities by taking unpaid leave for authorized reasons.
Training
On the job and instructor led courses available
Employee Assistance Program
Free, confidential and personal assistance to employees and their families to resolve issues that affect their personal lives as well as job performance.
Direct Deposit
Easy, convenient, and free!