Horticulturist / Arborist

Do you want to be a part of the team that helps make the City of Boca Raton one of the best places to live, work and play? We provide world class services, parks, beaches, and public safety. This can only happen when the best, brightest, and most committed individuals come to work for our City. We encourage like-minded individuals to apply and be part of our team! Come join us #WorkforBoca 
 

SCHEDULE

Monday - Friday

7:00 am  - 3:30pm

*The salary range for this role is between $29.64- $34.00. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, operational needs, market demands and internal equity. The starting salary range is subject to review by Human Resources and may require City Manager approval.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE JOB:

Performs advanced professional work overseeing the care and improvement of public grounds and beautification program medians, shrubs, trees and plants; does related work as required. Work is performed under general supervision performed under general supervision. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervises the planting, transplanting, fertilizing, trimming, spraying and general care of plants and trees in roadway medians, parks, and on City owned and maintained properties.
• Plans and manages advanced professional design activities for renovations of medians and city facilities
• Coordinates with and provides input to the purchasing division for the install and pruning contracts by developing and researching specifications, reviewing existing specifications for clarity, accuracy and necessary related information;  
• Oversees monitoring of maintenance and tree pruning contracts on City roadway medians and parks 
• Inspects all supplies delivered to ensure proper quality and condition; approves payment for same;
• Supervises the work of assigned crew and trains new employees in planting, spraying, pruning and propagation of plants; supervises maintenance contractor inspections;
• Makes tours to inspect and determine the condition of roadway medians and other areas of City park use to determine their need for horticulture maintenance, care and or replacement;
• Prepares beautification program maintenance budget forecast; budgets and monitors same.
• Responds to questions from the general public and coworkers concerning plant identifications, culture, plant selection, tree maintenance and other related questions;  
• Participates in the maintenance of the Tree City designation by calculating expenditures for the annual renewal application and coordinating the location, supplies, and trees for the yearly Arbor Day celebration.  

RELATED TASKS:

• Maintains records and prepares weekly and monthly reports; prepares work orders; estimates time requirements for projects; prepares requisitions for materials and supplies; tracks expenditures.
• Meets and confers with purchasing division and Recreation Services Department representatives regarding bid preparation and the evaluation and award of Requests for Proposal as related to the remove and install contract(s) and the pruning bids; checks vendor references.
• Reads and interprets civil engineering, master, and site plans as needed to assess impact to the Beautification Division and the ability to interact and make recommendations of approval conditions to minimize city cost related to private development.
• Coordinate with project planners, landscape architects, and construction personnel to ensure the relocation and/or mitigation of city-owned landscaping within the rights-of-way that will be impacted due to site (re)development. 
• Seeks out new methods and practices to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.   
• Inspects major irrigation systems breaks and coordinates repairs in roadway medians.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• General knowledge of forestry, landscaping, and horticulture as applied to medians, parks and grounds; general knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of landscaping, turf grass maintenance and tree pruning; general knowledge of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, mulches, trees, shrubs and other materials used in landscape work; 
• Thorough knowledge of Florida native grass, flowers, shrubs and trees, their planting time and environmental requirements
• Thorough knowledge of various grades and qualities of plant materials, plants and trees; thorough knowledge of the tools, supplies and equipment used in tree and shrub planting and maintenance; 

• Thorough knowledge of City, County and State roadway regulations; engineering plans, specifications and drawings; principles, practices and techniques of horticulture, landscaping and urban forestry; general knowledge of surveying techniques; 
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, land surveys, and specifications and to compare them with land features; thorough knowledge and/or the ability to easily navigate city roadways, parks and facilities; 
• Ability to become proficient in Pictometry within a month of starting job; strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely; 
• Thorough knowledge of standard office procedures, practices and equipment; 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department employees, coworkers, vendors and the general public; 
• Strong organizational abilities; ability to use judgment and initiative to complete work assignments with minimal supervision; and the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize work load. 
• Familiarity with basic general construction principles and practices and with landscaping new construction sites.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma and any combination of post-secondary education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in biology, environmental science, urban/municipal forestry, horticulture, or related field.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in tree care including selection (native ecosystems, sustainable landscapes, and xeriscaping principles), hazard evaluation, relocation, irrigation principles, maintenance, and inspection.   
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in land management work
• Valid State of Florida Class “E” driver’s license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, environmental science, urban/municipal forestry, horticulture or related field.

CERTIFICATIONS / PROFESSIONAL LICENSES:

• Designation as a Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture.  
• Possession of a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS and FDEP in GI-BMP (Green Industries- best management practices).  
• Ability to obtain a Florida Pesticide License, within one year of employment.  
• Ability to obtain certification from the Landscape Inspectors Associations of Florida Inc. and become a Florida Certified Nursery Professional within one year of employment.