10/89

City of San José

HORTICULTURALIST (3424)

CLASS PURPOSE
   Under direction, manages a specialized park maintenance program and serves as the Recreation Parks and Community Services Department's expert in the areas of landscape maintenance, turf management, water use and water conservation.

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.)

• Operates and maintains the computerized Central Irrigation System.

• Maintains a computerized data base containing information on individual facilities such as turf type, other landscape types, soil types, irrigation system types and other pertinent information.

• Plans, coordinates, and monitors the park maintenance programs of turf management, landscape watering and water conservation.

• Trains department personnel in turf maintenance programs, landscape watering programs and water conservation methods.

• Conducts audits and inspections of irrigation systems; determines work priorities; assists in horticultural program planning; evaluates turf and landscape maintenance programs and recommends modifications; researches the usefulness and cost effectiveness of new methods, equipment, products and devices relating to turf management and water conservation.

• Serves as a liaison and provides technical guidance within the area of turf management to supervisors, subordinates and other city departments.

• Prepares correspondence and reports.

• Trains, evaluates and rates the work performance of subordinates.

• Reviews and comments on plans for conformance to landscape and irrigation system maintenance standards.

• Reviews plans and standards regarding appropriate plant materials for new and replacement plantings and makes recommendations concerning those standards.

• Prepares budget projections, work programs and planning specifications for the turf maintenance program.

• Compiles turf inventory records and updates them as necessary.

• Directs the preparation of reports pertaining to turf maintenance and water usage.

• Coordinates turf maintenance programs including mowing, fertilization and aeration.

• Creates and maintains an information system for the Department maintenance managers.

• Compiles information and writes reports pertaining to system water usage. 

• Typical End Results Include: Effectively developed and managed turf and landscaping maintenance programs for parks, civic grounds and libraries.

• Turf and other landscape maintenance activities and watering programs scheduled in a time efficient manner and coordinated with other parks programs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
   This class reports to the Maintenance Superintendent of Central Services. The incumbent supervises a technical staff of data analysis personnel and provides technical expertise on turf management, landscape maintenance and water conservation.

QUALIFICATIONS
   Minimum Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and practices in managing, developing, operating and maintaining parks.

• Knowledge of principles and practices in budget preparation and administration.

• Knowledge of turf and plant materials and problems associated with each species.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in planting and maintaining a variety of turf and plant materials.

• Knowledge of insecticides, fungicides and other methods which control turf and plant infestation and diseases and proper techniques for applying these methods.

• Knowledge of soil and climatic conditions and their effect on turf and plants.

• Ability to prepare specifications and cost estimates.

• Ability to recognize problems in planting and maintaining turf and plants.

• Ability to operate computer software including data base programs and spreadsheets.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Competency Knowledges, Skills and Abilities 

• Knowledge of contract administration.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to operate a Motorola MIR 5000 computerized irrigation system.

• Ability to develop and implement a turf maintenance program.

Training And Experience
   Any combination of training and experience equivalent to successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in horticulture or a closely related field and at least two years experience in one of the following areas: parks maintenance, golf course maintenance, water conservation or turf maintenance.

License/Certificates
   Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

(3076Z)