Lead Landscape Technician (Parks)

DEPARTMENT

SALARY

JOB SUMMARY

Under general direction, coordinates, develops and trains staff engaged in the care and maintenance of golf course grounds and park sites; operates specialized equipment necessary for the maintenance of park sites.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate, develop and train staff engaged in the care and maintenance of golf course grounds and park sites; ability to provide management with recommendations regarding subordinates' performance evaluations.

• Ability to determine construction, maintenance and repair related requirements for park and golf course amenities including but not limited to shelters, buildings, playgrounds, greens construction, cart path and bunker construction; ability to determine materials needed and oversee crews or private contractors assigned to project.

• Ability to operate specialized equipment necessary for the maintenance of park sites and golf course grounds such as mowing equipment, chemical sprayers, backhoe, front end loader and various implements utilized in the care of large turf grass areas; ability to maintain and perform minor adjustments to equipment.

• Ability to determine, oversee and perform landscape management tasks for turf grass areas; design landscape features, install and care for plant materials including flowers, trees and ground cover; apply prescribed amounts of fertilizer, herbicides and fungicides to plant materials and turf grasses; design, install and maintain irrigation systems utilizing large turf heads, piping and computerized irrigation control units.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of practical gardening methods and of the tools, materials and methods used in park and golf course maintenance.
• Knowledge of fungicides, growth regulators, insecticides and other pesticides to be applied to trees, shrubs, and plants and the timetable of application.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of park facility construction. Skill in the recognition of insects and plant diseases.
• Ability to diagnose plant problems and prescribe recommendations to solve problems. Ability to coordinate the activities of a small crew.
• Ability to determine irrigation system needs, including installation, operation and repair.
• Ability to train and develop employees engaged in the care and maintenance of parks, golf courses and building landscapes. Ability to design, install and maintain landscape features including flowers, shrubs, trees and ground cover.
• Ability to determine chemical application needs, rates and equipment.
• Ability to implement a complete tree maintenance program including planting, care and pruning/removal procedures. Ability to lift or exert forces equivalent to lifting up to 80 pounds.
• Ability to perform a variety of physical skills including but not limited to seeing, stooping, twisting body, carrying, lifting, cleaning, writing, and pushing.
• Ability to operate a variety of equipment including but not limited to lawn mower, hand tools, chemical sprayer, large tractor, backhoe and specialized golf course equipment.
• Ability to operate a motorized vehicle.

Qualifying Education and Experience:

• High school education or GED with 18 hours coursework in Horticulture, plus two (2) years' experience in a similar position with at least one year experience in a lead capacity or equivalent combination of experience may be substituted for the above.
• Possession of or ability to obtain within six months of employment, a State of Texas Certified Pesticide Applicator's License.
• Possession of a valid Texas Operator's Driver License, Class C.

Pre-Employment Screenings:

• Criminal Background Check
• Drug and Alcohol Testing
• Physical and Human Performance Evaluation (HPE)
• Motor Vehicle Review (MVR)

City of Arlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.