Gardener

GARDENER INTRODUCTION

Under the supervision of the Project Manager performs those landscaping tasks necessary to meet landscape contract specifications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

*1. Maintains landscapes of assigned landscape contracts.

*a. Mows turf areas using a variety of mowers including -push mowers walk-behinds riding mowers tractor with bush-hog.

*b. Trims turf areas using a variety of small equipment including - string-trimmers and sidewalk edgers.

*c. Trims shrubs for health shape and safety using e.g. hedge trimmers and loppers.

*d. Prunes trees for health shape and safety using e.g. pole pruners chain saw loppers.

*e. Mulches weeds cultivates edges tree rings and other mulched areas using e.g. spades wheelbarrows cultivators.

*f. May apply chemicals including fertilizers insecticides and herbicides using e.g. push spreader backpack sprayer tractor with spreader. Must be able to clearly document according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture requirements each time chemicals/fertilizers are applied.

*g. Removes debris from turf mulch and paved areas as needed using e.g. rakes push and backpack blowers tarpaulins.

*h. Plants and maintains seasonal color displays using e.g. trowels bulb drills shovels hoses.

*i. Other duties as assigned.

*2. Assists in planning and executing landscape operations.

*a. Helps choose appropriate plant material for various locations.

*b. Prepares planting areas by such means as grading tilling adding soil amendments removing existing vegetation using e.g. pick shovel tiller tractor chain saw rakes.

c. Plants various types vegetation such as sod bulbs perennials shrubs and trees using e.g. pick shovel and augers.

*d. May perform minor landscape construction projects e.g. installing metal edging installing strip drains building short steps etc.

*e. May perform snow-removal tasks such as shoveling operating a snow thrower plowing spreading ice-melting chemicals.

*f. Other duties as assigned.

*3. Work with assist with supervising and assist with training assigned crew members consisting of adults with and without differing abilities.

*4. Other duties as assigned.

*Essential Functions

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

The incumbent must be able to stand 34% walk 33% and sit 33% of the work time. These requirements are necessary to operate riding mowers to cut and trim grass plant vegetation rake shovel etc. He/she must be able to lift/carry 60 pounds and push/pull 100 pounds climb balance stoop kneel crouch crawl reach and handle in order to load and unload materials and equipment; must be able to alert oneself to safety hazards and have a method of communication so those around can understand and respond; must be able to see and tell colors as driving and operating power equipment is required. Due to the nature of work occasionally heavy lifting is involved require lifting and handling of heavy equipment. Lifting materials such as flats mulch fertilizer lime seed and related items weighing up to 60 pounds.

QUALIFICATIONS

High School Diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of experience in landscape work including experience with planting mowing pruning trees and shrubs and using a variety of landscape-related equipment such as mowers tractors and small gas-powered equipment required. Prefer applicant to have had one (1) year supervising two or more people. Applicant must have a valid drivers license. Should have a reliable mode of transportation to work site. Must be self-motivated and able to run the assigned crew in the foremans absence.