What are the responsibilities and job description for the Horticultural Support Technician (11438, Grade HL6) position at The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission?
The Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission is an award-winning organization with over 5,000 employees that administers over 52,000 acres of stream valley parks, large regional parks, neighborhood parks and park-school recreation areas throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. We administer and maintain the park systems, and in Prince George’s County, we are also responsible for developing the County’s public recreation programs.
Our Department of Parks & Recreation has the overall responsibility for planning, supervising and coordinating all park/recreation facilities and services throughout Prince George’s County. The Facility Services Division (FSD) is the largest Division within this Department and is composed of six major work areas: Fleet Management, Buildings & Structures (Trade Shops), Horticulture & Forestry, Major Maintenance & Inspection, Critical Projects (Heavy Equipment/Roads & Grounds, Aquatics, Sustainability and ADA) and the Administration section. The mission of FSD is to provide professional, high-quality maintenance and maintenance support services for all parks and recreation facilities and to support the diverse work programs of the Parks & Recreation Department in Prince George’s County and its customers.
The successful candidate will work as a Horticultural Support Technician on the Northern/Southern Area Landscape crew. Performs routine horticultural and landscape maintenance duties in support of plant health and facility operations. Work includes planting, cultivating, fertilizing, pruning, and maintaining a variety of plant materials, including trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf. The position supports greenhouse, nursery, and field production activities and applies basic horticultural principles and practices.
The Horticultural Support Technician will perform planting, pruning, fertilizing, watering, and general maintenance of plant materials. The assigned staff will assist with greenhouse and nursery operations, including maintaining appropriate growing conditions, preparing planting beds by conducting basic soil testing and mixing soils and amendments, assists with plant propagation and irrigation activities, identifies common plant diseases, pests, and weeds; support Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, apply fertilizers and pesticides in accordance with established procedures and safety guidelines. Assist in the design and installation of container plantings and indoor plant displays.
Operate and maintain hand tools, power tools, and equipment such as mowers, trimmers, and tractors. Read and interpret basic landscape plans and drawings. Assist with construction of minor landscape features, including retaining walls, maintaining records, and entering data into work management systems.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in greenhouse or outdoors with exposure to a variety of weather conditions. Some driving may be required. Exposed to dirt and dust, unpleasant odors and fumes from fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and pesticides; and exposure to wildlife and potentially harmful insects (i.e., bees, hornets, wasps) and traffic hazards and noise. Personal protective equipment is required to apply certain pesticides. May be subject to call back for emergencies and occasionally work overtime, evenings and weekends. Ability to stand, walk, crouch, kneel, bend or squat for considerable periods of time; lift and carry materials and equipment weighing in excess of 50 pounds; and push and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds with or without assistance
- High school diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).
- One year of progressively responsible gardening, greenhouse, nursery or landscaping experience.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total one (1) year.
- Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.
- Contingent upon area of assignment, some positions in this class may require within 12 months of placement in the position (a) Commercial driver’s license (CDL) with appropriate endorsements; (b) Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator certification.
- Pass Commission medical examination.
May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis ofrace, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.
Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)
M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.
Salary : $43,216 - $76,540