Maintenance Specialist Foreman - Horticulture
- General Definition of Work
This is a working supervisor's position which oversees activities related to landscaping and trees on town owned properties, parks, trails, medians, and right of ways, and will supervise/participate in snow removal activities as required. This position is under the general supervision of the Town Horticulturist.
- Essential Functions
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Leads work crews to perform various public landscape and tree maintenance activities on properties, parks, trails, medians, and right of ways
- Performs activities related to landscape maintenance including: mulching, weeding, plant and bulb installations, fertilizing, pest and disease control, and watering
- Oversees maintenance of Town hanging basket program, and annual bed median plantings
- Independently adjusts pesticide/watering/fertilizer tasks as needed in the field
- Inspects parks, properties, trails, streets, and right of ways for tree hazards, to ensure visibility and safety
- Performs skilled installation/ pruning/ removal of trees, brush, and shrubs as needed (utilizing a bucket truck if necessary)
- Installs holiday decorations in the downtown
- Supervises field crews during snow removal operations
- Schedules equipment for repairs and maintenance
- Hires and trains new crewmembers
- Acts in place of Horticulturist as needed
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of the methods, tools and equipment used for tree and landscape maintenance in right of ways, parks, trails, and properties
- Considerable knowledge of plant pests and diseases, and their treatment
- Thorough knowledge of traffic work zone safety standards
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to communicate effectively with contractors, citizens, and volunteers
- Ability to follow written and oral written instructions accurately
- Ability to use a personal computer and tablet with applicable software programs
- Ability to assign work and coordinate work schedules, train crews and evaluate work performance
- Ability to ensure equipment and vehicles are in operable condition and that crews are aware of equipment policies and procedures
Education and Experience:
- 5 or more years work experience in Public Works, Parks and Recreation, commercial landscaping, or related area is required for this position
- Preference will be given to candidates with previous supervisory, tree care, and horticultural experience
- High school diploma or GED is required
- Valid Virginia driver's license with a satisfactory driving record
Special Requirements
- Valid commercial driver's license in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a satisfactory driving record.
- A Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicators License within 6 months of employment
- A VA certified fertilizer applicators permit will be required within 6 months of hire
- A Virginia Class B Commercial Driver's license with a tanker endorsement is required within 6 months of employment
- Physical Requirements
This work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 100 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions, frequently requires stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing and tasting or smelling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to wet humid conditions (non-weather) and exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires working near moving mechanical parts and exposure to vibration and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).
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