Description:
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Maintains all plants within the landscaped areas of County buildings ensuring adequate amounts of fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides, and water are applied.
- Selects and purchases plants for landscaping around County buildings based on the amount of sunlight, shade, drainage, and availability of water.
- Positions plants, trees, flowers, shrubs, etc., ensuring optimal health of plants, beauty, and functional usage.
- Maintains lawns surrounding County buildings and at Garden Center using lawnmowers, weed-eaters, and blowers.
- Prunes trees, shrubs, bushes, etc. as needed at appropriate times of the year.
- Purchases appropriate fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides, and other needed chemicals to maintain plant life.
- Removes leaves, branches, and other debris from County grounds.
- Cuts branches and plants using hand tools.
- Maintains records of all chemicals applied to plant life on County grounds.
- Obtains soil samples on a periodic basis from County Extension Services; maintains a log of results of all soil samples.
- Assess water and drainage needs for the landscaped area; determine the appropriate draining system and needed water supply for the area.
- Designs landscaping on County grounds including flowerbeds, plant boxes, walk areas, etc.
- Maintains rose garden fountain ensuring proper functioning.
- Conducts routine maintenance of lawn maintenance power equipment as needed.
- Installs, repairs, and maintains sprinkler systems in landscaped areas.
- Maintains the inventory of all equipment, tools, and chemicals used in landscape maintenance.
- Conducts proper winterizing of plants to ensure survival through cold weather.
- Assigns and supervises the work of two to four inmates performing landscaping duties.
- Picks up inmates and supplies in County vehicles as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:
- Considerable knowledge of the principles, methods, and theories of horticulture, landscape design, and grounds maintenance.
- Considerable knowledge of the design and maintenance of water supply and drainage systems.
- Considerable knowledge of the chemicals used in weed and insect control and fertilization.
- Considerable knowledge of basic mathematics.
- Good knowledge of grounds maintenance and upkeep.
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to maintain an accurate recordkeeping system of plant care and inventory.
- Ability to safely mix chemicals used in weed and insect control.
- Ability to analyze the area to be landscaped and make effective recommendations.
- Ability to diagnose plant growth problems or plant diseases.
- Ability to direct the work of others.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
-
- Ability to bend, stoop, and crouch when planting, weeding, weed-eating, or similar duties.
- Ability to lift and carry loads up to 50 pounds.
- Visual acuity is needed to detect discoloration of growth problems in plants and to assess the condition of the grounds.
- Ability to walk and push a lawnmower to cut grass.
- EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Completion of high school or GED equivalency with advanced training in landscaping and horticulture; considerable work experience with plant care, landscape design, and maintenance, or a related area; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.