What are the responsibilities and job description for the Gardener I position at City of Spokane?
- May be responsible for smaller gardens or a portion of a larger or main garden that require less skill to maintain.
- Sods, overseeds, thatches, and aerates turf.
- Irrigates turf, plant beds, trees, and shrubs.
- Makes emergency repairs to irrigation equipment and irrigation systems.
- Applies pesticides and fertilizers using both spray equipment and mechanical spreaders.
- Edges flower beds and paths, using power edgers and line trimmers.
- Mows turf using push and riding mowers.
- Seeds, plants, and transplants annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs, and trees.
- Weeds, rakes, and cultivates flower/shrub beds and paths.
- Digs, cleans, and stores tubers.
- Repairs tools, and paints stakes, signs and benches.
- Perform minor pruning in compliance with City of Spokane Municipal Code and City Arboricultural Specifications and Standards.
- Shear topiary shrubs and shrub hedges.
- Maintains water features such as fountains, pools, and ponds.
- May oversee a small group of temporary/seasonal workers performing manual work of a similar nature.
- May assist in maintenance and operations of greenhouse facilities and equipment.
- Answers visitors' questions regarding plant names, characteristics, and care.
- Operates pickup truck, hand and power tools, and related equipment normally operated within this classification.
- Performs related work as required.
Open Entry Requirements:
(All Open-entry requirements must be met at time of application.)
- Education: Two years of study (60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours) at an accredited college or university that included at least 12 semester or 18 quarter credit hours in courses related to horticulture (e.g., agriculture, greenhouse/nursery, landscape design, etc.); OR
- Experience: Two years of full-time equivalent experience in horticulture (e.g., agriculture, greenhouse/nursery, landscape maintenance) and/or the care of flowers and plants in a greenhouse nursery or garden.
- Substitution: An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience may also be qualifying.
License and Certifications:
(Employees in this job class must meet these requirements.)
- All applicants must possess a valid driver's license and
- Must obtain a Public Operator license for pesticides from the Washington State Department of Agriculture within one year of appointment.
Upon request, at time of application, the City will provide alternative accessible tests to individuals with disabilities that impair manual, sensory or speaking skills needed to take the test, unless the test is intended to measure those skills.
The examination will consist of a multiple-choice examination with scoring weight assigned as follows:
- Multiple-Choice Examination 100%
This is an online examination and will require a computer. If you do not have access to a computer, please notify Civil Service so that one may be provided.
A link to the Gardener I examination, with instructions, will be emailed prior to 4:00 PM Pacific Time on Thursday, January 19, 2023, and will expire at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Keep in mind that the test link will be emailed from FastTest (noreply@fasttestweb.com).
NOTE: You may begin the exam at any time during the test period; however, once you begin, you will have 2 hours to complete the examination. You may take the exam only once during the open recruitment period.
The examination may include the following subjects:
- Horticulture
- Soil Science
- Pest Control
- Botany
- Pathology
- Mathematical Reasoning
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.
Salary : $41,342 - $64,519
