Rev 1/98

City of San José

GARDENER (3414)

CLASS PURPOSE
   Under general supervision, performs and leads others in varied gardening, groundskeeping, and related duties of moderate difficulty which involve all phases of pruning/shaping trees and shrubs. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)

• Inspects shrubs, trees and various landscaped areas for insect/disease problems and fertilization requirements.

• Determines type and amount of applications required. Applies fertilizers, insect sprays, herbicides and other chemicals as needed.

• Determines appropriate irrigation required for lawns, plants, shrubs, and trees. 

• Waters by hand or by activating sprinkler system. 

• Performs minor maintenance and repair work on irrigation systems.

• Plants, cultivates and transplants in landscaped areas as required.

• Operates a variety of equipment, such as tractors with attachments, various types of trucks, backpack blowers, turf sweepers, lawn rollers, aerators, renovators, thatchers, mowers, power edgers, sprayers, rototillers, power augers, power sod cutters, power brush cutters, fertilizer spreaders, and other equipment and hand tools used in grounds maintenance.

• Maintains work activity, renovation, pruning, chemical usage, irrigation, and related records.

• Requests necessary supplies and materials.

• Performs limited facilities maintenance work.

• Checks and monitors area, equipment, and operations for safety, cleanliness and security.

• Assists visitors to public areas with basic information and directions as requested.

• Provides lead direction to small crews.

• Compiles master work schedules.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
   Incumbents in this class report to a Senior Maintenance Worker or Maintenance Supervisor and provide lead direction to Groundsworkers and Maintenance Assistants. Incumbents of this class differ from those in lower classes because of the higher skill levels involved; they differ from those in the higher class in the amount and type of supervision exercised and the scope of the job. Positions are normally assigned to large parks, a group of smaller parks, or a relatively large City facility, or a specialized gardening function.

QUALIFICATIONS
   Minimum Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of planting, cultivating, irrigating, pruning, and shaping trees, shrubs, and landscaped areas.

• Knowledge of common and botanical names for a variety of native and commonly grown plants.

• Knowledge of appropriate soils and fertilizers used in planting applications.

• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.

• Knowledge of tools and power equipment used to maintain horticultural areas.

• Ability to recognize insects, plant diseases and noxious weeds and knowledge of their control.

• Ability to apply pesticides.

• Ability to perform skilled gardening work.

• Ability to prune/shape trees and shrubs.

• Ability to do minor repair and servicing of irrigation systems.

• Ability to read and understand writing instructions, directions and regulations.

• Ability to calculate and dilute chemical mixtures.

Competency Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to lead assigned grounds maintenance personnel.

• Ability to maintain routine records.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with fellow employees.

• Ability to provide good customer service to the public.

• Ability to properly and safely operate and maintain equipment used to maintain horticultural areas.

Education:
   High school or G.E.D. certificate.

Experience:
   Three (3) years semi-skilled horticultural work.

Acceptable substitutions:
   Three (3) years performing variety of gardening tasks that include planting, applying herbicides and pesticides, pruning/shaping of trees and shrubs.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
   Possession of a valid California Certified Commercial Applicator's license within one (1) year of appointment.
   As a condition of employment in some designated positions, possession of a valid State of California Class A or B driver's license with applicable endorsements may be required in the performance of job duties.

(1374Z)