Description

Do you have experience planning high-end designs for parks?
Are you a seasoned Horticulturist?

If this sounds like you, Montgomery Parks, Horticulture, Forestry, and Environmental Education Division, located at Pope Farm Nursery in Gaithersburg, Maryland is the place you want to be!

Montgomery Parks is looking for a self-motivated and highly knowledgeable Horticulturist to plan, design, install and maintain high impact landscapes in select parks, county-wide. In addition, the horticulturist will lead, and direct other staff assisting with the program, safely operate and maintain equipment and tools and provide horticulture training to other staff.

The Horticulturist would join the Horticulture, Forestry and Environmental Educational Division which is part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. This great team preserves and maintains the natural resources of parkland, ensures a safe environment for park patrons, and enhances the beauty of parks.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery County Department of Parks system is a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, 420 parks and over 37,000 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington DC area. Go to our website to learn more: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/

DIVERSITY STATEMENT The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor . We will do what we can to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at 301-495-4525 to request accommodation.

Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Examples of Important Duties

Plans, Designs, Installs and Maintains Landscape Displays in Select Parks

Surveys Park areas to determine horticulture and landscape needs
Assists with the planning of high-end designs for landscape projects in parks
Coordinates height, color, texture, peak performance, and other variables to create artistic designs from season to season; provides layout

Applies Technical Expertise and Horticulture Consultation to Park Projects

Performs horticultural tasks to optimize plant growth including conducting soil tests, adding soil amendments, watering, and plant maintenance
Inspects plants and identifies pest problems; makes recommendations for treatments using integrated pest management strategies
Develops watering, fertilization, and plant maintenance schedules

Applies Integrated Pest Management to Maintain Plant Health and Control Pests

Researches pest and disease problems and ensures best control method is utilized
Applies pesticides as needed and in compliance with all appropriate local, state, and federal regulations

Trains, Leads, and Directs Staff

Provides hands-on training for staff on horticulture topics and techniques such as mulching, pruning, plant installation, pest identification and management
Leads and directs staff in performance landscape and garden development and maintenance

Performs Administrative Tasks, Data Collection, and Tracking

Accounts for labor and materials for each project and input it into the enterprise asset management (EAM) system in a timely manner
Develops landscape designs and written maintenance plans for each landscaped area. Creates routes for landscape project aftercare program and tracks cycles of maintenance

Important Skills and Characteristics:

Ability to safely use horticultural tools and operate landscape equipment
Skill in designing, installing, and maintaining functional and aesthetically pleasing landscapes and planting beds/containers.
Strong communication skill with team members and internal clients

Preferred Qualifications:

Possesses a CDL Class A License with Tanker endorsement
Strong understanding of plant/soil science, and ability to make effective plant selections for under a variety of growing conditions
Knowledgeable in diagnosing and treating plant health issues, including pest and disease management

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture or any related field.
One (1) year of professional experience in horticulture or closely related field.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total five (5) years.
Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's licenses 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 of the position.
Maryland State Pesticide Applicator License may be required within twelve (12) months of employment, depending on area of assignment.

Supplemental Information

Class/Specification: Horticulturist

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

Working Conditions:

Work typically includes the following depending on assigned duties. Works inside and outside an assigned facility which may operate seven days per week. Works extended hours, evenings, weekends and holidays. Some vehicle driving required. Work requires long periods of standing and walking, and recurring bending, stooping, reaching and similar activities. Work may also include frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 49 pounds. Work involves exposure to moderate risks and discomforts, such as those due to adverse weather conditions such as high winds and low or high temperatures; irritating chemicals and noxious fumes during horticulture, pesticide and weed control activities; and poisonous insects, plants, or snakes. Work requires special safety precautions or protective clothing and equipment.

Very competitive and flexible benefits programs available!

Get to know Montgomery Parks and the opportunities available:

https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/divisions/

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.

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