Gardener

City of Seattle•Wa 98108, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Seattle Parks and Recreation is hiring journeyman-level gardeners for its Landscape Crew. The hiring process may also be used to fill future vacancies for up to one year in the Volunteer Park Conservatory, Kubota Garden, or other Horticulture and Specialty Garden teams. These teams support specialty gardens, greenhouse production, and landscape installation and care. Landscape Crew gardeners collaborate on landscape improvement projects throughout Parks and Recreation and perform skilled gardening work, including plant propagation, cleaning, planting seasonal display beds, and landscape renovation and maintenance. The position reports to the Landscape Crew lead under the direction of the Horticulture and Specialty Gardens Manager. The full salary range is $34.32 to $37.06 per hour. The work requires knowledge of standard landscaping and gardening methods, materials, procedures, tools, and equipment. Gardeners use judgment to interpret conditions, apply guidelines, and select appropriate methods. Occasional contact with the public is for providing information and is incidental to the work. Work is outdoors in all types of weather and may involve noisy or dusty environments, offensive odors, hazardous substances, confined spaces, and work at heights up to 130 feet. Employees must wear safety gear when appropriate. The position requires extended standing, walking, or bending; frequent lifting of objects up to 50 pounds; and occasional lifting of heavier objects. Driving large trucks may be required. Applicants must submit a cover letter describing how their knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities relate to the position, and a current resume. Job offers are contingent on verification of credentials and other required information, including a background check; a driving history review may also be conducted.

Requirements

At least two years of work experience in landscape construction or maintenance, or in the propagation and maintenance of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees at a conservatory, greenhouse, or nursery. Combinations of education, training, and experience are evaluated individually for comparability.
Knowledge of standard landscaping and gardening methods, materials, procedures, tools, and equipment.
Ability to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods; frequently lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift more than 50 pounds.
Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather and wear safety gear when appropriate.
Ability to work in conditions that may include noisy or dusty environments, offensive odors, toxic or hazardous substances, confined spaces, and heights up to 130 feet.
May be required to drive large trucks.

Nice To Haves

Degree or certification in horticulture, environmental science, or a related field, or equivalent education or training.
Knowledge of biological sciences, landscape maintenance, horticulture, and gardening.
Knowledge of City, State, and Federal rules and regulations governing safe operation of greenhouses and Conservatory facilities.
Six months of plant propagation experience with ornamental flowering plants and native plants.
Familiarity with applicable City and Department policies and practices, including RSJI.
Familiarity with sustainable landscape practices.

Responsibilities

Transplant and prune trees and shrubs.
Implement integrated pest management (IPM).
Operate pesticide spray equipment and maintain pesticide application records.
Operate motor vehicles to and from work locations.
Prepare, plant, and maintain planting beds.
Work on landscape construction and landscape maintenance projects.
Carry out delegated assignments under the supervision of a Senior Gardener.
Propagate plants, clean work areas, plant seasonal display beds, and implement landscape renovation and maintenance projects.