Horticulturist

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Assistant Park Superintendent, the Horticulturist performs skilled maintenance work in the care of flower and shrub beds, tree planting, and care and turf establishment and maintenance. The employee in this position will provide reliable service to the citizens of Newton. The employee in this position is responsible for providing exceptional public service to the community. The Horticulturist will value integrity, service, teamwork, dedication, vision, and will be someone who cares and takes pride in their work. They will supervise a crew of workers in accomplishing the above referenced tasks. The Horticulturist acts as the tree agent to the Tree Board for the City of Newton and provides support and assistance in preparing and carrying out the horticulture and Annual Tree Plan.

Essential Functions

• Supervisory leadership with full-time and seasonal staff;
• Vast knowledge of horticulture;
• Will work with little to no direct supervision;
• Recognizes and corrects deficiencies in facility structure, amenities, and equipment;
• Recognizes signs of unhealthy plants and grasses;
• Assists in the training of the full-time and seasonal staff;
• Plans, maintains, oversees, and participates in the selection, planting, and care of the downtown planters;
• Responsible for managing the weeds in the downtown corridor, round-a-bouts, and traffic islands;
• Attends all Tree Board meetings to provide staff support and assistance;
• Prepares agendas and minutes of Tree Board meetings;
• Prepares development plans and maintains City arboretum;
• Plans, maintains, oversees, prunes, and participates in planting flower beds, shrub beds, turf, and trees within the assigned areas of the City;
• Assists in assigning daily duties;
• Repairs equipment and machinery;
• Sets up, installs, maintains, and repairs irrigation;
• Maintains Tree City USA and Tree Cities of the World designations;
• Plans and oversees weed control through proper pesticide applications;
• Selects trees, shrubs, and flowers for park system;
• Administers contracts for tree removal programs;
• Trains staff personnel in proper maintenance and care of landscape;
• Makes recommendations and carries out recommendations for the Annual Tree Plan;
• Speaks to community groups on behalf of the Tree Board and Park Division;
• Advises public on plant materials;
• May assist in budget preparation;
• May lead a crew of workers on grounds, buildings, facilities maintenance, and cemetery operation;
• Inspects and evaluates work in progress;
• Monitors employee safety and ensures compliance with safety guidelines;
• Educates other departments on proper tree pruning.
  

Marginal Functions

• May assist with hiring seasonal and full-time staff;
• Notifies public of plant growth that must be removed to establish sight distance on streets;
• Assists park maintenance crew in regular park maintenance;
• Attends meetings, serves on panels and committees as division representative;
• Other related duties as deemed necessary or assigned.
  

Position Requirements

Experience: Three years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Education: High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture, urban forestry or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications/Licenses: Driver’s License is required. Must be able to attain certified pesticide licensure in 3A within 1 year of employment. Will obtain National Incident Management System (NIMS), IS 100, 200 and 700 Certificates.

Qualifications/Skills: Thorough working knowledge of tools, equipment and pesticides used in plant care. Thorough knowledge of landscape design and irrigation installation and repair. Ability to identify insect and disease problems and their treatment. The ability to operate a mower, tractor, aerator, bucket truck and other related equipment. Must have a working knowledge of the City’s Employee Policy and Procedures as listed in the City’s Employee manual. Good supervisory and communication skills. Understand and carry out written and verbal instructions. Ability to work independently and with others. Ability to read and understand manuals, safety guides and instructions.

Problem Solving: Problem solving is a significant factor in this position. Problems include prioritizing jobs with available resources and determining proper turf and soil conditions for different uses.

Decision Making: Decision making is a significant factor in this position. Decisions include determining locations and construction of flower beds, what plants will do better in specific areas and type of material and pesticide to be used. Must be capable of working with numerous interruptions with work in progress.

Accountability: Employee has input of a budgetary area within the division and may participate in the annual division budget process.

Communication: Cellular device is required and needed to maintain communication via verbal and text communication. Employees are responsible for the cellular device and keeping it charged. Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing using the English language.

Personal Relations: Frequent contact with other City departments and continual contact with the public.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Employee in this position has supervisory responsibility over seasonal and fulltime staff. Employee may be asked for input on performance appraisals.

Working Conditions: Manual labor is required, adverse weather conditions and exposure to pesticides are factors in this position. Exposure to equipment, noise, hazardous chemicals, and all types of weather conditions. The worker walks on uneven terrain and surfaces that may be slick from rain, ice, snow and oil.

Physical Requirements: The Horticulturist’s physical job demands include occasional maximum lift of 102.5 lbs from floor to 18 inches; occasional maximum lift of 50 lbs floor to 45 inches; occasional maximum lift of 40 lbs waist to overhead; occasional maximum carry 50 lbs 100 feet; occasional maximum push/pull force of 20 lbs; occasional maximum vertical pull force of 65 lbs; occasional maximum grip force 60 lbs; frequent maximum grip force 20 lbs; occasional climb up to 25’ ht, various ladders; frequent forward reach; occasional overhead reach; frequent bend; frequent bend/crouch; occasional crouch/kneel; frequent hand coordination; frequent foot coordination; frequent neck rotation; frequent balance; constant sitting; frequent standing and frequent walking. See Job Analysis for details.

PDC Level: Heavy

This description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.