Gardener

Position: Gardener I Under the close supervision of the Horticulture Supervisor, the employee is responsible for the care and maintenance of City grounds, ensuring they are free from unseemly or overgrown vegetation and looking superior throughout the City. The employee receives daily instructions and guidance from the supervisor, drives and operates equipment needed to accomplish the objectives and functions of the Horticulture division, and operates power tools and equipment on City streets and rights‑of‑way (ROW). The employee maintains City property and ROW by cutting weeds and grass, spreading herbicides, cleaning culverts, and trimming trees and bushes. Work is performed under established procedures with frequent inspections during progress and a final inspection of completed work. Employee performs routine maintenance inspections on assigned equipment, notifies supervisor of equipment failures, and may assist with repairs. Employee assists with the change of plants and flowers throughout the City as part of the seasonal planting program. This is an entry‑level gardener position within the job family. This job is considered safety‑sensitive and is subject to pre‑employment and random drug screens. Equipment Operation • Receives assignments from the supervisor daily. • Operates power equipment and hand tools to maintain the City’s property and ROW. • Drives and operates motorized equipment, including mowers and bush hogs. • Uses hand tools such as saws, hammers, and shovels; performs manual labor. • Operates small engine power tools including lawn mowers, chain saws, leaf vacuum and blower, and weed eaters. • Conducts daily safety check prior to use of each piece of equipment. Equipment Maintenance • Performs pre‑work safety inspections of equipment and performs preventative maintenance—greases, checks fluids, tire pressure, gas, and gauges. • Ensures assigned equipment is fueled. • Reports equipment maintenance status to supervisor. • Performs work or may assist crew leader or other repairmen with minor mechanical repairs. Landscape Maintenance and Horticulture Activities • Assists the horticulture crew in seasonal plant and flower change‑overs. • Assists planting trees, shrubs, and flowers at correct depths. • Assists in detecting and treating fungus or insect growth on flowers and shrubs. • Assists in maintaining existing irrigation systems. • Assists in litter pickup throughout the City. • Assists with grounds inspections to ensure safety of the public and fellow workers; notes possible safety hazards or causes of injury and reports/corrects issue. • Detects imperfections in the landscape, whether it be litter, improper grass mowing, or improper pruning; advises supervisor for corrections. • Follows instructions regarding plant, pruning and fertilizing plants to ensure proper growth. • Mows grass and edges along curbs and other obstacles. • Prunes and trims trees and shrubs as directed, in a manner approved by the International Society of Arboriculture. • Applies fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in accordance with manufacturer’s directions. • Lays sod; plants bushes, shrubs, and trees as assigned. • Ensures plants do not have dead leaves, flowers, or stalks in beds. • Ensures plants are properly watered. • Replaces soil in beds when needed. • Loads and unloads equipment, debris, and material. • Drives vehicles to and from job sites. Other Duties • Assists with sanitation crews if needed and assigned. • Assists with City special events such as placing barricades and barriers. • Assists with traffic control as assigned. • Responds to emergency calls during hurricanes, inclement weather, or other emergency situations. • Performs other job‑related duties as required or assigned. Qualifications • Possess a high school diploma or GED. • Minimum of one (1) year of work experience operating light equipment in landscape maintenance or construction work, or any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the above listed knowledge, skills, and abilities commensurate with this job. • Possess a current and valid driver’s license; must be insurable. • Ability to work overtime, weekends, or emergencies as needed. • Ability to travel throughout City to perform job functions. • Ability to pass a…