Under general supervision, this position performs routine maintenance and landscaping renovation tasks to care for natural and synthetic athletic fields, squares, parks, green infrastructure, playgrounds, stadiums, thoroughfares, medians, natural areas and/or other landscaped areas. Essential functions of this class include: preparing soil by rototilling, spading and fertilizing; maintaining plants by planting, transplanting, cultivating, irrigation and pruning; identifying a large variety of plant material and their cultural requirements; identifying pests and diseases, performing techniques such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control or mitigate the pests and diseases; maintaining lawns by raking, edging, mowing, watering, weeding, aerating, fertilizing, and over seeding; implementing habitat restoration and wildlife enhancement projects; maintaining grounds by clearing brush and debris, sweeping and raking public activity areas, cleaning up litter and clearing drains; changing sprinkler heads when required; operating power and manual equipment and/or tools such as mowers, watering equipment, gopher traps, and other types of gardening equipment and/or tools; performing routine maintenance on landscaping equipment and/or tools to ensure they are n good working condition; performing general maintenance tasks on grounds and facilities to ensure clean and safe premises; and performing other job duties as required.
Working Conditions
The nature of the work may require exposure to inclement weather conditions and may require exposure to hazardous conditions and/or materials which may include feces and/or urine, used syringes, etc. All positions require driving. Some positions may require riding mowers and driving small utility vehicles. Some positions may require working in public spaces such as public parks, schools, green spaces, nature trails, public/community facilities, etc. Some positions may require weekend or shift work.
Special Requirements
The 3417 Gardener requires the ability to lift, drag and/or move with assistance large and/or heavy plants and equipment to truck bed level and ability to kneel, bend, and squat for considerable periods of time safely and correctly. The probationary period will be used to evaluate these abilities.
Essential Duties
The 3417 Gardener:
• Prepares soil by rototilling, grading, spading, and fertilizing to promote plant growth and to prevent drainage problems.
• Maintains plants by planting, transplanting, cultivating, irrigation and pruning to promote plant growth and to prevent plant deterioration.
• Performs irrigation system inspections to make necessary adjustments and repairs when appropriate; Implements irrigation system best practices to comply with water conservation mandates.
• Performs regular inspections on plants and/or lawn areas to identify, manage control and/or mitigate the pests and diseases by performing techniques such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Maintains lawn areas by raking, edging, mowing, watering, weeding, aerating, fertilizing, over seeding and/or other landscaping function(s) to promote lawn health and erosion control.
• Maintains grounds of natural and synthetic athletic fields, squares, parks, playgrounds, stadiums, thoroughfares and/or other landscape areas by clearing brush and debris, sweeping and raking areas, cleaning up litter, clearing drains, and preventing hazardous conditions.
• Operates power and manual equipment and/or tools such as mowers, water equipment, gopher traps, and other types of gardening equipment and/or tools to assist in maintaining landscape areas.
• Performs routine maintenance on gardening equipment and/or tools to ensure they are maintained and in good working condition.
• Performs general maintenance duties on grounds and facilities such as natural and synthetic athletic fields, sandboxes in parks, public easements, restroom facilities, irrigation systems and safe premises.
• May be assigned to work with and/or direct the work of park volunteers.
• May interact with the public, staff, community groups, and/or other City departments.
• Positions at Airport may also be required to assist with installation of interior landscapes designs including plant beds, planters and other decorative elements; and assist with identifying and selecting plant species suited for indoor environments.
