JOB TITLE: Horticulturalist

DEPARTMENT: Parks and Planning

LOCATION: West Park

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, Non-Exempt

GRADE: 4

IMRF ELIGIBLE: Yes

REPORTS TO: Parks Foreperson

Summary: Under the administrative direction of the Parks Foreperson, the Horticulturalist shall oversee the Districts natural areas such as planting beds, trees and natural areas. Performs the physical planting and maintenance of these areas and supervise part-time and seasonal staff to achieve the departments standards and goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Trains and supervises a work crew that may consist of 2-3 part-time employees according to the policies and procedures of the District.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develops and executes a maintenance plan for the Districts flowers, shrubs, perennials and trees.
• Provides staff guidance pertaining to weed and plant identification, proper planting and maintenance on trees, shrubs and flowers.
• Performs physical planting and maintenance while supervising 2-3 part-time employees in the completion of work assigned such as planting and weeding.
• Assess and implements a plan to achieve optimal results pertaining to the aesthetics of existing planting beds.
• Provide guidance and direction to volunteer groups pertaining to the Districts planting beds and natural areas.
• Oversee contract work pertaining to the Districts planting beds and natural areas.
• Prepares reports as requested

Other Functions:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Attends professional conferences, seminars, workshops, and/or classes to remain current on trends and innovations in the fields related to area of responsibility.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned by Supervisor

Education/Training Requirements:

• Two or three years of occupationally specific training beyond high school or an Associates degree is preferred.
• Three to five years of Horticultural experience.
• Capacity to proactively troubleshoot, problem solve and make sound judgments
• Ability to maintain self-control, confidentiality and composure in difficult situations
• Valid Applicators License from the State of Illinois in turf, ornamentals, right-of-way and aquatics or the ability to obtain the license within six months of employment.
• Intermediate level written and verbal communication in the English language
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office software
• CPR certified or ability to obtain certification within 90 days
• Valid Illinois Drivers License

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; push, pull, carry, and repeatedly stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to vibration. The employee occasionally works in high precarious places and in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level of the work environment is usually loud.

Safety:

• Responsible to uphold the Districts commitment to safety by using good safety awareness and judgment
• Follows safety protocol, participates in safety programs/seminars and complies with the Districts safety policies
• Communicates the Districts safety policies to staff and monitors that these policies are in compliance