Horticulturist

Summary Objective

This position supervises and performs grounds and facilities maintenance work, leading field crews in the execution of maintenance operations and projects. The position directs and oversees horticulturist workers, seasonal employees, contractors, volunteers, and group work teams. This class works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processes employee concerns, directs work, disciplines, and completes employee performance reviews.

• Coordinates, assigns tasks, reviews work, and establishes work schedules; maintains standards and quality control; monitors status of work progress; inspects completed work assignments and sites; answers questions; gives advice, direction, and training.

• Enforces safety and PPE procedures to ensure safe operation of equipment and employee safety.

• Provides technical assistance and instruction concerning operation and use of equipment, proper planting techniques, disease control, horticulture projects, and pesticide applications.

• Operates heavy equipment such as backhoes, skid steers, tractors, forklifts, dump trucks, and snowplows, leading the execution of landscape operations and projects.

• Manages field operations and designs for planting, pruning, fertilizing, spraying and removing trees, plants, shrubs, and flowers for effective botanical public areas and exhibit displays.

• Oversees and performs the application of fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides to promote plant health and control pests and invasive species.

• Schedules, implements, conducts, and organizes landscape operations, pesticide applications, turf maintenance instructions and routine repairs of equipment and tools.

• Establishes interdepartmental communication and scheduling, develops partnerships and collaborates with government departments, contractors, and keeper staff.

• Assists with budget management, monitors and control expenditures, prepares and submits cost estimates, specifications and bid requests. Recommends and procures equipment, materials, supplies and contract services.

• Provides direction, supervision, training, and oversight to subordinates.

• Performs and delegates snow removal during winter months.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Botany, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, or related discipline.

• Four (4) years of horticulture, botanical garden, landscape architecture, or landscape maintenance experience.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

• Must wear safety equipment as mandated by OSHA.

• Must be on 24-hour call.

• Must be certified as a Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator in State of Kentucky under category N3 or obtain the certification within three months of employment.

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

• Must be able to work a varied schedule.

• Must provide own transportation.

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, jumping, lifting, digging, pushing, pulling and raising objects. Involves exertion between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on occasional basis.

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health…