Horticultural Specialist II

This is lead supervisory, participatory and training work performing horticulture functions such as maintaining street medians and rights-of-ways, the planting, removal and care of various plants, flowers, shrubs and trees. Work requires considerable knowledge of professional horticulture principles and practices; participation in the more difficult tasks; assignment and training of employees or volunteers to perform less difficult tasks; and the performance of heavy, strenuous manual labor, sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions. Work is assigned verbally or in writing and must be performed with considerable independent discretion and judgment.

Salary: $21.59 - $30.80 Hourly

Close Date: 02-13-2024 (11:59 PM)

Minimum Qualifications. Applicants must:

• Possess a valid high school diploma or GED equivalency.

• Possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Class "B" Commercial Driver License (CDL) with "N" endorsement.

• Within one (1) year of appointment to the position possess and maintain State of Florida Public Pesticide Applicator Licenses for Right-of-Way and Ornamental & Turf Pest Control from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under provisions of Chapter 487 Florida Statutes.

• Within one (1) year of appointment to the position, complete Best Management Practices training from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

• Within one (1) year of appointment obtain a FDOT approved Maintenance of Traffic Advanced Certification.

• Be able to perform heavy, strenuous manual labor, sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions.

• Acknowledge this position is designated as Emergency Critical (EC) and if hired into the position, you must be immediately available to the department before, during, and after a declared emergency and/or disaster.

Desirable Qualifications. Preferred applicants:

• Have considerable experience in landscape maintenance, nursery, or horticultural operations, including some supervisory experience.

• Have some equipment operation experience and grounds maintenance experience.

• Have some knowledge of irrigation systems and turf management.

• Have completed Best Management Practices training from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and have obtained FDOT approved Maintenance of Traffic Certification.

• Are skilled in the proper use and safe operation of various hand and power operated tools related to horticulture and landscaping.

• Are able to understand and follow oral and written instructions and communicate clearly and concisely

• Are able to read and interpret landscape plans, understand chemical and fertilizer labels, and to apply or explain proper mixture and application procedures.
  

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

For purposes of employment, re-employment, promotion, transfer or demotion, the most qualified applicants will be selected to continue in the hiring process. At this point, any prior criminal records will be verified. A prior criminal record will not necessarily disqualify a selected applicant from employment.

The City of St. Petersburg is committed to a Drug Free Workplace and compliance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing rules. Applicants may be required to successfully complete pre-employment drug testing and/or medical exams.