Senior Horticultural Support Technician (11050, Grade 16)

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.

This position is located in the Southern or Northern Landscape of the Horticulture & Forestry (H&F) group in the Facility Services Division. Under general supervision, performs full range of skilled technical horticulture support work involving gardening and landscaping work for the care and maintenance of Commission parks, public gardens and/or landscaped areas of Commission buildings and facilities.

This candidate performs a full range of gardening and grounds maintenance duties, with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise.  This candidate will assist with landscaping/gardening projects including design, research, and plant selection.  They will also have a good knowledge base of the typical horticulture material used in this region, including the ability to identify plants (common and scientific names), shrubs, and trees commonly used in landscape beds, and commonly accepted IPM practices.  The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead crews and train new and inexperienced staff. Snow removal is required during winter months.

• Direct an area landscaping crew, performing landscape bed preparation annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.
• Direct crews with landscape bed maintenance, including weeding, fertilizing, watering, raking, and adding mulch.
• Prune, plant, and transplant trees.  Instruct lesser experienced staff with this task.
• Mow fine turf; from time to time, remove and relay sod.
• Assists with the diagnosis of plant issues, such as drainage problems and pests.
• Under supervision, apply pesticides and fertilizers.        Should be able to calculate the appropriate rates of pesticides and fertilizers.  Record and maintain records of pesticides and fertilizers used.
• Direct staff in the operation of mowers, small, motorized equipment, utility vehicles, and commonly used hand tools.
• Assist with designing and installing hardscape structures – walls, steps, paths, fountains, etc.
• Operate snow throwers and shovels to remove snow from sidewalks and driveways.
• Operates complex equipment and vehicles that may require CDL.

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

1. Associate’s Degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Forestry or any related area.
2. Two (2) years of gardening, greenhouse, nursery experience or horticulture support work.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
4. 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.
5. Contingent upon area of assignment, some positions in this class may require (a) Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with appropriate endorsements within 12 months of hire; (b) Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator registration within 12 months of placement in the position.
6. 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 : $48,563 - $86,008