Horticulturist I (13296, Grade 18)

Salary: $50,595.00 - $89,605.00 Annually
Location : Bethesda, MD
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 13296
Department: MC Parks
Division: Horticulture Frstry and Env Ed
Opening Date: 11/21/2023
Closing Date: 12/4/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
The Horticulture, Forestry and Environmental Education Division is currently seeking a dynamic, highly skilled Horticulturist for McCrillis Gardens, a six-acre horticultural display garden in Bethesda, MD.
Under the supervision of the Assistant Director for Horticulture at Brookside Gardens and McCrillis Gardens, the Horticulturist I is responsible for the design, installation, and maintenance of several prominent formal and informal garden areas. This includes caring for and developing beautiful and diverse landscapes, collections, and plant displays. The employee will apply technical knowledge of horticulture to plan and coordinate tasks while instructing, directing, evaluating, and working alongside seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers. The successful candidate must enjoy interacting with visitors and sharing their horticultural knowledge. This position serves as a vital member of the Brookside Gardens staff, and performs other related duties, as assigned.
For more information about Brookside Gardens, visit us at
Examples of Important Duties

• Maintains horticultural collections and landscape displays at McCrillis Gardens by performing skilled and technical horticultural work and routine grounds maintenance.
• Designs and installs permanent and seasonal garden displays from researching plant selections, preparing plans, submitting crop requests, and drafting purchase orders for spring, summer, fall, and winter.
• Uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to ensure plant health, identifying and diagnosing pests, diseases, and other plant problems and determining the effective treatment.
• Recommends purchases of equipment, supplies, and materials, obtaining price quotes.
• Provides horticultural information to visitors, installing labels, maintaining records, developing interpretive signage and answering visitor questions.
• Teaches at least two educational programs for visitors per year.
• Participates in garden-wide special events such as plant sales and Children's Day.
• Oversees seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers at McCrillis Gardens; planning, leading, instructing, and training staff on various aspects of work.
• Some evening and weekend work required. Responds to weather emergencies as required, including snow removal.

Important Skills and Characteristics

1. Knowledge of horticultural sciences, plant nomenclature, and landscape design.
2. Skilled in safely operating landscape equipment and tools.
3. Ability to apply technical horticulture principles to solve practical problems.
4. Skilled in utilizing technology to effectively communicate, maintain records, conduct research, and create educational teaching aids.
5. Demonstrates exceptional communication and interpersonal skills that contribute to a high performing team.
6. Ability to provide courteous service.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in horticulture, or related field; and
2. One year of professional experience in horticulture, or closely related field; or
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience.
4. Valid driver's license.
5. A Maryland State Pesticide Applicator's License may be required within 6 months of employment, dependent on assigned duties of the incumbent.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Willingness to share horticultural knowledge with visitors, volunteers and staff in informal settings, formally scheduled programs, and interpretive signage.
2. Experience working in a public garden or similar cultural institution.
3. Supervisory experience, including paid staff, students, interns, and volunteers.
4. Ability to communicate in one of Montgomery County's most common languages (Spanish, Chinese, African Languages, Persian, French) is a plus.

Supplemental Information
Class Specification: Horticulturist I - 4450
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery County Department of Parks system is a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, 420 parks and over 37,000 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington DC area. Go to our website to learn more:
DIVERSITY STATEMENT The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor. We will do what we can to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at 301-495-4525 to request accommodation.
Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Very competitive and flexible benefits programs available!
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
2023 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.
Eligibility
You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.
Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) - Plan E excludes FOP members.

Plan: Employee Contribution
Plan C: 9%* of base salary (FOP members only) - *9.5% Effective 4/1/2023
Plan E: 4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• Deferred Compensation MissionSquare 457 plan (Optional)
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan - (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) - (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) - (20%)

Prescription - CVS Caremark - (15%)

Dental - Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO - (20%)

Vision - EyeMed - (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)

• Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account - Maximum annual contribution: $2,850
• Dependent Care Account - Maximum annual contribution: $5,000

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental - 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birthadoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member

Leave Programs

• Annual: 15 days per year
• Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
• Sick: 15 days per year
• Holidays: 11 days per year

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Legal Services Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Work-Life Program

For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission's Health and Benefits Office at benefits@mncppc.org or 301-454-1694.