Maintenance Specialist I - Landscape Maintenance

General Definition of Work

The Landscaping and Ground -Maintenance Specialist I position will perform skilled labor for various landscape installation and maintenance projects. Qualified applicants must be experienced and skilled in tasks related to landscaping installation and property maintenance, and right of way maintenance. This position will also be responsible for assisting with the removal of snow during periods of inclement weather.

The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Landscape installations: Trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, groundcovers, and annuals.
• Landscape and property maintenance-planting weeding, pruning, watering, fertilizing, mulching, addressing disease and pest issues.
• Right of Way maintenance-pruning for pedestrian/vehicular access, weed control
• Hand tools, small equipment, water truck, landscape equipment, pole saw, chainsaw
• Dump truck and snow removal equipment operation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to install and maintain new landscape installations
• Ability to care for annual beds and downtown hanging baskets
• Ability to operate a water truck
• Thorough knowledge of VDOT work zone requirements and the ability to safely work in and around the roadway
• Skill in the use of various hand tools and landscape equipment
• Ability to complete right-of-way maintenance tasks (pruning for sight restrictions, pruning for vehicular and pedestrian clearance)
• Ability to operate small equipment (snow blowers, ATV's, Ventrac, and other equipment) and shovel snow during sidewalk snow removal operations

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED Certification Required
• Prefer: previous landscaping experience working in a municipal or commercial environment
• Possession of, or ability to get, a VDACS-registered technician within six months of hire

Special Requirements

• A valid Virginia Commercial Driver’s License – Class B with a tanker endorsement (or the ability to get one in 6 months of hire), and a satisfactory driving record are required
• This position is subject to pre-employment drug screening

Physical Requirements

Qualified applicants must possess each of the following:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. regularly, the ability to work in a crouched position for extended periods of time
• Ability to work outside in varying weather conditions
• Ability to effectively communicate with the public and other employees
• This work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 100 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force
• Work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions, frequently requires stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing and tasting or smelling
• Work has standard vision requirements
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
• Work requires visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
• Work regularly requires exposure to wet humid conditions (non-weather) and exposure to outdoor weather conditions
• Frequently requires working near moving mechanical parts and exposure to vibration and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment
• Work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic)