About the Department

This is a grounds maintenance position involving the care, and propagation of roses and other plants, shrubs and trees. The employee may operate grounds motorized equipment or light weight trucks in tending the lawns and garden areas or other park facilities. Work involves manual labor and is performed in good weather or in bad weather such as extremes of heat, cold, and humidity. General supervision is received from a higher ranking employee. Direct supervision may be exercised over full-time, part-time, or seasonal laborers. Performs related work as required.

Position Duties

• Propagates, plants, transplants, weeds, prunes, feeds, fertilizes, mulches, irrigates and mixes and applies spray to rose plants, and a variety of other plants, shrubs and small trees; 

• Operates a variety of hand and power tools used in maintaining the Rose Garden or other City facilities and maintains tools in a safe working condition; 

• Performs minor repairs to irrigation systems; 

• Supervises, trains, assigns and reviews the work of assigned help, maintains a close working relationship with the volunteers and other interested organizations; 

• Utilizes appropriate safety equipment; keeps basic written records including worksheets, vehicle inspection reports and requests for maintenance; 

• Estimates labor, material and equipment necessary for proposed projects; 

• Monitors developments in the field of rose cultivation and recommends the addition of new plants to the Rose Garden;

• Plows or shovels snow and spreads salt/sand from sidewalks and park roads.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or related field PLUS one (1) year of experience in a botanical garden and knowledge of rose culture and care.

OR

Associates degree in Horticulture or related field PLUS two (2) years of experience as described above.

OR

Four (4) years of experience as described above.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a valid New York State Class D Driver license at time of appointment. 

This license must be maintained throughout employment in this title.