Review Vacancy
AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of
TitleHorticultural Technician 1
Occupational CategorySkilled Craft, Apprenticeship, Maintenance
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $34606 to $44625 Annually
Minimum Qualifications Associate’s degree in horticulture, agronomy, forestry, or a closely related field OR two years of technical experience in horticulture, plant propagation, nursery, or greenhouse work which includes plant pest and disease detection and control; or two years of college study in one of the above specialties and one year of experience as described.
Duties Description Under the supervision of the Director and/or higher-level personnel, the Horticultural Technician 1 will perform semi-skilled duties relating to the maintenance and care of specialized horticultural collections at an arboretum, as well as a variety of park maintenance duties.
1. Curate outdoor herbaceous and woody plant collections; identify plant growth, nutritional, insect and disease problems, take the appropriate corrective and remedial action,
2. Selectively prune plants to correct structural defects, thin excessive growth within the plant's framework and remove portion of plant damaged by disease, storm or insects in order to retain or restore the natural form of the plant;
3. Selectively formulate and apply herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and fertilizers to plant material to counteract plant nutritional, growth, insect and/or disease problems; comply with governing regulations for recording
4. Maintain display beds through weeding, watering, pruning, deadheading, mulching, edging, raking and fertilization;
5. Perform the appropriate soil preparation and planting of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees; perform seasonal landscaping work including planting, pruning, clean-up, bulb planting, dividing and transplanting, leaf removal;
6. Supervise seasonal staff and volunteers in the care of plant materials; provide materials and supplies; assist with training and support of interns;
7. Answer visitors’ questions about horticulture, design, and Arboretum general information;
8. Perform routine tasks required to develop, maintain, and repair associated plantings;
9. Operating in an independent manner, does planting, transplanting, watering, fertilizing, spraying, pruning, and trimming of valuable, rare or specialized trees, shrubs, vines and flowers
10. Inspect and identify potential safety hazards, need for skilled maintenance, landscaping requirements, litter control, refuse removal, etc. and report findings to supervisor(s) and/or take corrective action;
11. Operate motorized equipment such as: tractor w/attachments, skid-steer loader, UTVs, riding mowers, etc.
12. Operate and maintain hand and portable power tools as well as motorized equipment such as mowers, chippers, sprayers, saws, tillers, etc.
13. Operate light trucks and other motor vehicles as required in the performance of duties;
14. Load and unload materials, tools and equipment of varying weights and sizes;
15. Maintain equipment and supplies properly, perform maintenance for buildings, roads and supplies and ensures that they are stored safely;
16. Perform snow removal and maintain arboretum grounds and structures as needed;
17. Perform other related duties as required.
Additional Comments OPERATING NEEDS
• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical labor and to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Self-motivated and the ability to work well with others in a team environment
• Selected candidate must possess and maintain a New York State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License by date of appointment and maintain the license as a term and condition of employment;
• Effective communication skills to interact professionally with other staff and with park patrons. Ability to read, comprehend and prepare written materials.
• Ability to operate and skill in the use of lawn/garden equipment and small hand tools
• Selected candidate must obtain a PESTICIDE APPRENTICE LICENSE (category 3A), within 6 months, prior to the completion of the probationary period, and maintain the license as a term and condition of employment;
• Selected candidate must be qualified and medically cleared to wear a respirator and have knowledge of good safety practices;
• Selected candidate must be able to learn to competently operate, within one (1) year, the specialized grounds care equipment assigned to the facility such as aerator, power rake, sod cutter and over-seeder.
• Preference will be given to individuals with progressive experience in the care of trees and shrubs – and have the ability to perform such work with little direct supervision.
• Selected candidate must complete First Aid, CPR/AED training within one year of appointment.
• Selected candidate must complete chain saw training within one year of appointment.
• Must be able to work holidays, weekends, and variable shifts (opening/closing);
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address LongIsland.employment@parks.ny.gov
Address
P.O. Box 247
Notes on ApplyingADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications, the Agency operating needs and are interested in being considered for this vacancy, you can obtain an Employment Application from your local office, your region’s administrative headquarters or download an application from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website at www.parks.ny.gov/employment Please forward your application and resume, if available, to: Janet Grant, Personnel Office, 625 Belmont Ave. West Babylon, NY 11704 or to LongIsland.employment@parks.ny.gov Include “Hort Tech 1” in subject line.