Horticulturist

Overview
The horticulturalist is responsible for the planting, maintenance, and removal of ornamental plants, shrubs, and tress throughout the Township’s parks system. This position also serves as part of a team tasked with maintaining parks’ grounds, facilities, and equipment. At times, the person in this position may be directed to carry out assigned tasks independently or as the job crew leader with no supervision.

Responsibilities:

• Maintains an inventory of ornamentals, trees, and woody plants for each of the Township’s parks.
• Assesses plant assets for biological wellness, environmental conditions, parks usage, and other criteria; develops maintenance plan; assist with the landscape design of parks.
• Plants and transplants assets which includes hole preparation, backfilling, staking, pruning, watering, and mulching.
• Recognizes regional diseases and insect problems of ornamental plants, shrubs, and trees.
• Identifies potentially hazardous trees and other tree-related problems.
• Works with contractors for large-scale tree removal or plantings.
• Tests and maintain soil conditions.
• Develops and maintains fertilization schedule; applies specialized fertilizers.
• Responsible for integrated pest management program, which includes the application of pesticides.
• Provides recommendations and design input to the Parks Director on future greening/landscaping projects.
• Uses hand tools, pruners, chainsaws, etc. to complete tasks.
• Responds to inquiries from residents, visitors, officials, etc. regarding the status of trees and woody plants within the Township’s parks system.
• Maintains various pavilions and restroom facilities; maintains and inspects playground equipment.
• Provides maintenance of athletic fields; sets up and repairs athletic field irrigation systems.
• Performs groundskeeping duties, such as mowing, trimming, spreading and raking mulch, etc.
• Participates in snow plowing operations; will be on mandatory 24 hour call out during the winter months for any type of snow emergency.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills:

• Knowledge of horticulture, arboriculture, botany, forestry, landscaping, and related subjects.
• Ability to understand and follow directions with minimal supervision.
• Ability to learn new skills or operation of equipment.
• Ability to work cooperatively and efficiently with all other Parks employees and employees from other departments.
• Ability to adhere to all departmental rules, regulations and policies.
• Ability to follow Township safety and emergency procedures
• Ability to obtain other licenses as may be required to perform assigned duties (example: Pesticide license for Right of Way spraying).
• Ability to maintain records.
• Skill in using hand and power tools for a wide variety of jobs.

Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent and four years of experience in landscaping, plant cultivation, forestry or a related field, OR
• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental conservation, horticulture or a comparable field of study, OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and training
• Valid PA Class B CDL or higher with air brakes and tanker endorsements
• PA State Pesticide License with Lawn and Turf (07), Ornamentals (06), Fruit & Nut Tree (02), and Right of Way Weeds (10) endorsements or acquisition of such certifications within the first six-months of employment.

Pay: $25.85 - $29.73 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• landscaping, plant cultivation, forestry or related: 4 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Commercial Driver's License A or B (Preferred)

Location:

• Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person