Horticulturist

City of Gainesville•Gainesville, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a highly responsible para-professional, technical, and supervisory work developing, implementing, and maintaining the City of Gainesville Right of Way Tree Planting Programs. The single position allocated to this classification reports to and performs work under the supervision of the City Arborist. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its extensive technical knowledge in arboriculture, and excellence in communicating with the general public.

Requirements

Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Botany, Plant Identification, Plant Physiology, Plant Pathology, or Horticulture; or Associate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Horticulture; and Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture.
A valid United States Driver License is required at the time of appointment.
Valid Florida Driver License is required within thirty (30) days of start date.
Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture is required within six (6) months of appointment.
Knowledge of horticultural principles and practices, including a thorough understanding of the cultivation of trees that can be grown in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 9 and 10, and American Horticultural Society Plant Heat-Zones 9 and 10.
Understanding of potential root infrastructure conflicts and strategies to avoid same.
Knowledge of concepts and principles of plant propagation and nursery plant production.
Knowledge of landscaping and design principles.
Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary in municipal horticulture.
Ability to safely operate all equipment and vehicles associated with the Right of Way Tree Planting programs.
Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to plan, direct, and supervise the work of others.
Ability to work effectively with co-workers and the general public.
Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential job functions including the ability to lift, carry, push, or pull fifty (50) pounds without assistance and to stand, kneel and stoop.
Work requires the use of personal protection equipment including hearing protection, eye protection, foot protection, hand protection, head protection and use of respiratory protection equipment in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
Must be able to read and comprehend labels and directions pertaining to herbicide and pesticide applications.
Must be physically able to safely operate mechanical control of, but not limited to, hand and power tools, tree spade, spraying equipment and motor vehicles.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, manages and directs the functions associated with the introduction and maintenance of young trees in the City of Gainesville rights-of-way, roadway medians, stormwater basins and parks that may include oversight of contractual services.
Develops planting plans that achieve the goals of providing shade and beauty while avoiding future infrastructure damage.
Supervises assigned employees.
Recruits, trains and supervises volunteers, principally citizen Tree Sponsors who provide aftercare for fifty-percent of the trees planted annually.
Maintains tree nursery and production.
Assists with plans for Arbor Day celebrations in Gainesville.
Answers questions from the public regarding the care of newly planted trees.
Speaks to groups interested in the renewal of the urban forest.
Responsible for assuring the requirements of the American National Standard for Tree Care Operations, ANSI A300-1995, are followed with respect to the pruning of young trees.
Assures all trees planted on public right-of-ways are of the grade specified by the City standards or better, according to the Florida Nursery grades of the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Consumer Services.
Drives a pick-up truck with a pull-behind water tank.
Uses mechanical tree spade to transplant large trees.
Sprays non-restricted use pesticides and herbicides as needed.
Responsible for ensuring the staking and up righting of small trees in the aftermath of widespread emergencies (e.g., hurricanes).
Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.
Oversees varied administrative work associated with the renewal of the urban forest.
Monitors replanting compliance for all tree removal permits.
Works with Code Enforcement to resolve non-compliance.
Represents the City of Gainesville at public meetings and events, as assigned.
May act in absence of supervisor.
Performs other related duties as assigned.