General Environmental Technician 3 - Floriculturist (GSD)

City of Detroit; Michigan; On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Detroit seeks an experienced General Environmental Technician 3 (Floriculturist) to support propagation, cultivation, care, and exhibition of native and tropical plants across greenhouses, buildings, and park areas.

You will plant seeds, take cuttings, propagate, pot, water, prune, and prepare flower arrangements for shows while supervising a small crew and ensuring plant health under seasonal conditions.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Two years experience in grounds maintenance or greenhouse work.
• One year of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Plant seeds, make cuttings and grafts, and propagate plants.
• Pot and repot plants; care for and water specimens.
• Cultivate, fertilize, and prune; arrange flowers for shows.
• Supervise a small team handling soil, watering, and pruning.
• Inspect work in progress and upon completion; maintain tools.

Skills

Planting and propagation

Seed germination

Plant division

Leaf cuttings

Stem cuttings

Tip cuttings

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

General Environmental Technician 3 (Floriculturist)

Under general supervision, performs a variety of tasks in connection with the propagation, cultivation, care, and exhibition of native and tropical plants in greenhouses, buildings, and park areas.

1. Performs the individual tasks involved in assignments such as planting seeds, making cuttings and grafts, layering and setting out plants, bulbs and tubers.
2. Pots and repots plants.
3. Cultivates, fertilizes, and waters plants.
4. Prunes shrubs and vines and collects seeds.
5. Regulates the temperature of greenhouses and conservatories.
6. Lays-out and plants, cultivates, mulches and edges flower beds throughout the season.
7. Carries out plans for arranging flowers for show.
8. Supervises the work of a small group of helpers who prepares soil, water, fertilizes and cultivates plants, prunes or cuts back, sets out and/or stores bulbs and tubers; pots plants, and cuts back perennials for the winter, as required.
9. Assigns tasks and instructs workers.
10. Inspects work in process and upon completion.
11. Repairs small tools and equipment used in cultivating flowers and plants.
12. Applies pesticides to land or plant life.

Required

• High School Diploma or G.E. D.
• Two (2) years experience in grounds maintenance work and landscape and/or greenhouse work.
• One (1) year of supervisory experience.

Preferred

• Preferably completion of two years of college coursework in horticulture, floriculture or related field.

Equivalency

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

License, Certification and Other Special Requirements

• Employees in this class will be required, when necessary, to operate a Motor Vehicle. Valid State of Michigan Operator License is required.
• Employees in this class will be required to obtain a valid State of Michigan Commercial Pesticide Certification with the categories: Core, 3B (ornamental), and 7E (interiors cape) and 6 (right of way) within six months of entry into this classification.

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: PASS / FAIL
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 100%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0-15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 points

LRD: 10/11/2023

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Propagation and cultivation of native and tropical plants.
• Greenhouse methods used in protection of plants from diseases, insects, and pests.

SKILL IN:

• Planting and propagation; seed germination, plant division, plant cuttings such as leaf, stem and tip cuttings.
• Observation to determine growth and detect insects, disease, watering issues, and other relating issues pertaining to plant growth and health.

ABILITY TO:

• Operate a personal computer.
• Display mechanical aptitude.
• Display initiative, industriousness and dependability.
• Interact effectively with the public and others with tact and diplomacy.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Work is performed in greenhouses, conservatories and outdoors with exposure to all seasonal weather conditions and to pesticides.
• Work involves frequent lifting, bending and resting on knees.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.