Senior Horticulture Technician
About The Position
The City is seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Horticulture Technician to join our team. This senior-level field position is responsible for performing, leading, and overseeing complex semi-skilled and skilled horticulture and landscape maintenance tasks across City parks, recreation centers, public buildings, and gateways. As a crew lead, you will serve as a technical subject matter expert and hands-on leader, training crew members, coordinating daily work tasks, and ensuring high-quality results. You will play a vital role in maintaining the health, beauty, and safety of the City's urban canopy, landscape beds, irrigation systems, and park facilities.
Requirements
- Minimum of five years of experience in tree care, landscaping, or irrigation maintenance required.
- Job-relevant certification/license, vocational/technical program completion, or completion of apprenticeship required.
- Journey-level experience in landscaping, tree maintenance or related trade required.
- Experience in interpreting and working from landscaping blueprints and/or specifications required.
- Valid driver's license is required.
Nice To Haves
- Two years in a leadership role preferred.
- College-level coursework that includes business, sport turf management, or a related field preferred.
- Additional job-related advanced degrees or certifications may be considered in lieu of experience.
- Missouri Department of Agriculture Applicators license with Category 3 Ornamental and Turf Certification preferred, or ability to obtain within 180 days of employment required.
- Certified Arborist credential preferred, or ability to obtain within 180 days of employment required.
- Valid Class B CDL with airbrake endorsement preferred, or ability to obtain within 180 days of employment required.
- Must possess or be able to obtain a First-Aid/CPR certification within one year of hire date.
Responsibilities
- Train, guide, and direct crew members in daily maintenance tasks and proper equipment operation.
- Assign work, coordinate field operations, and ensure tasks are completed safely and efficiently.
- Provide coaching, support, and skill evaluations for crew members.
- Develop and implement maintenance plans for annual/perennial beds, bioswales, urban tree canopies, and facility grounds.
- Plan schedules for fertilizing, irrigation, and herbicide/pesticide/fungicide applications.
- Diagnose tree injuries and plant diseases; prescribe and apply appropriate treatments.
- Plan, oversee, and manage major landscape renovations and capital improvement projects, including managing external contractors and quality control.
- Oversee general grounds maintenance for city parks, recreation areas, and public spaces.
- Manage and maintain park irrigation systems, including installation, routine maintenance, and repairs.
- Oversee playground equipment maintenance and safety repairs.
- Operate vehicles and heavy equipment, including dump trucks (11,000 lbs GVW), pickup trucks, vans, skid loaders, tractors, front-deck mowers, and towed trailers.
- Safely operate and perform minor maintenance on power tools and small machinery (chainsaws, string trimmers, hedge clippers, leaf/snow blowers, generators, air compressors, etc.).
- Maintain tool inventories, ensuring special tools and equipment are available and well-maintained.
Benefits
- health
- vision
- dental
- employer-paid life insurance
- long-term disability
- a retirement pension
- 13 paid holidays
- five personal days
- vacation time
- sick time
- tuition reimbursement
- an employee assistance program
- a discounted recreation center membership
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
