Horticulturist - Ornamental

HORTICULTURIST - ORNAMENTAL duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Individual will assist and work directly in the execution of landscape and horticultural related duties with various community organizations and City teams

Oversee onsite nursery, hands on maintenance of municipal landscapes independently and with other team members through application of knowledge, practices, and principles of horticulture, landscape maintenance, and design

Identify plant diseases and recommend corrective action based on knowledge of plant biology, identification, propagation and culture

Apply pesticides and assist with trialing environmentally friendly pest and weed control options

Create landscape drawings/plans for projects

Utilize GIS Mapping software to plan and execute yearly fall and winter planting contracts and in- house planting projects

Select and recommend appropriate plant materials, procure, maintain, issue, inventory, and account for same

Coordinate and oversee contractual planting or other related landscape contracts, work closely with garden club and civic league representatives on various community projects and garden designs

Work closely with other teams within Parks and Recreation and other City teams to provide horticulture expertise, technical training, and implement landscape design plans

Lead various community groups in landscape and horticulture related projects

Provide presentations, horticulture walk and talks for a variety of community groups

*Note: Work is performed outside in all weather conditions including temperature extremes and involves lifting and carrying equipment/tools and materials weighing 50 - 75 pounds. *

MINIMUMS: Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to four (4) years, including one (1) in a supervisory capacity, in the field of horticulture, utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Must have a current and valid drivers license. Must have or obtain within 90 days of employment, a valid Pesticide Applicators License from the State of Virginia.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, safety glasses, gloves, or other designated safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employees supervisor based on position assigned.
This position may be designated as a safety sensitive position and be subject to mandatory drug testing. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination.
Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City's operational status.
May require a Commercial drivers license.

This is an Alpha I position which requires reporting to work during periods of emergency or inclement weather, regardless of City's operational status.

Similar Job Titles: Horticulture Specialist, Municipal Horticulturist, Urban Horticulturist, Parks Horticulturist, Horticulture Coordinator, Landscape & Horticulture Specialist, Landscape Horticulturist, Landscape & Grounds Horticulturist, Municipal Landscape Coordinator, Community Horticulturist, Public Horticulture Specialist, Horticulture & Landscape Supervisor, Grounds & Horticulture Coordinator, Plant Health & Landscape Specialist, Environmental Horticulture Specialist, Horticulture Project Coordinator