Natural Areas Horticulturalist (11423, Grade 16)

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission•Germantown, MD

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The M-NCPPC, Montgomery Parks, Maryland seeks a skilled Natural Areas Horticulturalist as part of the Natural Resources Stewardship Section in the Park Planning and Stewardship Division. The incumbent will focus on care and maintenance of Commission parks, to care for and amend growing conditions for native plants within forest and meadow management units having specific objectives and occasional wildlife food plots and community support projects. The incumbent will report to the department’s Vegetation Ecology & Management Unit Leader and will be a part of a small group of specialists with this focus, working both as a group and independently, depending upon safe and standard operating procedures. The office site is located at 12535 Milestone Manor Lane, Germantown. The Natural Areas Horticulturalist will require the willingness and ability to learn, within 6 months, use of tractor and/or front-end loader with implements, skid steer with and without implements, and truck and trailer combinations. A CDL may be required for the job, with the Commission providing for on-the-job training, if necessary. A State Pesticide Applicators License is a requirement and must be achieved within 12 months of employment. Additional equipment use will include various hand tools (e.g., clippers, loppers, weed wrench, etc.) power equipment (e.g., string trimmer, chainsaw, brush cutting mowers), pressurized spray equipment, and other more common tools. And the individual chosen for this role will perform routine maintenance and upkeep of tools and equipment. In addition, this person will participate as a core member of the department’s annual prescribed burn team, applying controlled fire to natural area habitat to restore and enhance growing conditions of desired plant communities, receiving both formal and on-the-job training throughout, and working towards certifications. If this fits with your skillset and interests, you have the willingness and ability to learn, are hardworking and are a hands-on person who enjoys working outside in nature, please consider applying. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery Parks system is a career staff complement of over 800 employees, 417 parks and more than 37,000 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC metro area. Go to our website to learn more: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/ Very competitive and flexible benefits programs available! Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Forestry or any related area.
Two (2) years of gardening, greenhouse, nursery experience or horticulture support work.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations.
Driver's license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.
Pass Commission medical examination.

Nice To Haves

Maryland Certified Pesticide Applicators License
Willingness and ability to learn, within 6 months, use of tractor and/or front-end loader with implements, skid steer with and without implements, and truck and trailer combinations.
CDL may be required for the job, with the Commission providing for on-the-job training, if necessary.
State Pesticide Applicators License is a requirement and must be achieved within 12 months of employment.
Ability to stand, walk, crouch, kneel, bend or squat for considerable periods of time; lift and carry materials and equipment weighing in excess of 50 pounds; and push and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds with or without assistance.

Responsibilities

Core to the job is non-native, invasive plant management, and restoration of these sites following abatement, as well as meadow establishment and maintenance
Identify native and non-native plants of the Mid-Atlantic and especially the Piedmont physiographic region, soil characteristics and growing conditions, pesticide and fertilizer mixing and application, collecting data and assessing.
Recognize the signs of unhealthy plants: Utilize departmental Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Best Management Practices, and policy to ensure both naturally growing and cultivated plantings.
Calculate ratio and application rates and calibrate equipment, test growing conditions apply correct plantings.
Prepare suitable planting site, plant, stake, and mulch, weed, water, as necessary;
Inspect naturally occurring and cultivated plantings for signs of insect or disease impacts and other stressors
Select plant stock for projects, in coordination with the department’s nursery staff
May transplant native plants for preservation or restocking.
Often guide, set pace, and work alongside staff, lower in position, engaged in similar efforts
Coordinate with other administrative and operating divisions in the department to advance the priorities of the Parks Department and deliver exceptional parks for our residents.
Meet with citizens, community groups, Planning Board, County Council, and representatives to advance the Department’s work and advocacy efforts.
Keep record of work accomplished, chemical application, chemical storage compliance, and chemical inventory.
Promote recommendations for purchase of tools and materials in support of the work.
Perform routine maintenance and upkeep of tools and equipment.
Participate as a core member of the department’s annual prescribed burn team, applying controlled fire to natural area habitat to restore and enhance growing conditions of desired plant communities, receiving both formal and on-the-job training throughout, and working towards certifications.