Horticulturalist Specialist
O'Fallon (IL) Parks & Recreation IL

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Position is primarily responsible for the performance of semi-skilled to skilled horticultural work as well as the management of horticulture seasonal staff. Illustrative tasks for this position will include landscape installation and maintenance. 

ESSENTIAL POSITION DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Must be available to work a variety of shift assignments. This includes the ability to work weekends and extended hours for weather-related and special events. 
• Supervisory responsibilities include hiring, implementation of disciplinary procedures, facilitating mid-season and end-of-year reviews, creating weekly work schedules and workload, facilitating daily task lists, identifying areas of improvement, responding to and resolving seasonal employees’ complaints and inquiries. 
  • 6-10 seasonal employees 
  • Volunteers and community service workers 
• Employee Training: Train employees in the areas of: 
  • Job site, equipment safety and PPE -Equipment operation 
  • Horticultural methods -Plant water management 
• Project Management: -Horticulture: Order and installation of new landscapes and annual plant design, delegating project roles amongst seasonal staff, equipment and labor logistics for projects, assist with budgeting, and complete various projects specific to areas of interest. 
  • Natural Area Development: Implement management plan, developed by city forester, for timber and prairie area at Rock Springs Rotary Park. 
  • Trail Maintenance: Assist City Forester with bike and nature trail maintenance and installation 
  • Improvement Projects: Compost creation from yard waste for use in planting to defer purchasing costs. 
• Labor and Equipment Operation: 
  • Carry out all labor responsibilities required in landscape installation and maintenance. 
  • Operation of heavy equipment, including but not limited to skid steer, toolcat, mini excavator, dump truck, dump trailer, mower, augers, brush cutters, mulch wagon, and bucket truck. 
  • Operation of small equipment, including but not limited to chainsaws, bed edger, sod cutter, weed trimmer, blowers, and misc. hand tools. 
  • Operation of hazardous equipment such as chainsaws, woodchipper, flail mower, and stump grinder. 
  • Operation of appropriate arborist climbing equipment for tree pruning and removal. 
  • Routine equipment maintenance 
  • Assist city foresters and all urban forester labor as needed. 
    

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND LICENSES: 

• + Degree in Horticulture or a closely related field (i.e. Agriculture, Botany or Forestry) or + 3 years of full-time paid experience related to the position. 
• + Possession of a valid State of Illinois driver’s license or other state equivalent. 
• + State of Illinois Public Pesticide Operator’s license in the category of Ornamentals, preferred at time of hire but required within 6 months of employment. 
• 
  

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• A basic to intermediate knowledge of the principles, terms, techniques, and procedures associated with the horticultural and urban forestry profession. 
• A general understanding of common desirable and undesirable regional plant material such as trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials, annuals, and bulbs. This includes plant identification as well as their use, landscape function and maintenance/cultural requirements. 
• The ability to motivate and guide others in the safe and productive performance of tasks associated with the maintenance of City grounds and landscapes. 
• Possess the knowledge and ability to operate equipment, motor vehicles and both power and hand tools effectively and safely. Have the ability and aptitude to learn and operate new equipment. 
• The ability to use a computer, computer hardware and common software applications. 
• The ability to perform physical activities such as standing or walking for extended periods, frequent and repeated bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, climbing of ladders, or working aloft from an aerial lift device/truck and lifting of up to 100lbs unassisted. 
• The ability to understand and comply with workplace rules and policies. 
• Must be able to work and cooperate with others, resolve problems, and possess a positive attitude while contributing to and maintaining a safe, productive and respectful work environment. 
• Must always represent the department in a positive and professional manner and serve as a reliable source of information about department programs, park maintenance operations, and park rules and regulations. 
  

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt 

HOURLY RATE: $28.28-$28.90 

BENEFITS: Medical/Dental/Vision IMRF Pension Life Insurance HSA/FSA Options Additional Supplemental Benefits. 

This position description is intended to be indicative of the duties, responsibilities, and tasks of the provided position, but shall not be construed as a declaration of each specific duty, responsibility, or task that may be required of the position. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing those duties shall not be held to exclude other essential functions, responsibilities or duties not mentioned in this position description that are of similar kind or level. The policy of the City of O’Fallon is to recruit, hire, promote and transfer employees for all job classifications without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability (except where the disability cannot reasonably be accommodated) or any other characteristic protected by law.

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