Grounds Technician / Gardener

Town of Palm Beach; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 38,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Palm Beach seeks a Landscape Gardener to perform semi-skilled horticultural and landscape maintenance across high-visibility areas. Responsibilities include pruning, planting seasonal color, pest and disease identification, irrigation monitoring, and general upkeep to meet elevated aesthetic standards.

Responsibilities require independent work, ability to identify deficiencies, and collaboration with Grounds and Streets Bureaus.

Qualifications

• At least five (5) years of experience in grounds maintenance, horticulture, or related work.
• Valid Florida Class E driver’s license is required.
• GI-BMP Certification required or ability to obtain within six (6) months.
• Florida Chapter 487 RUP License preferred or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months.
• Knowledge of irrigation systems and plant/turf/palm disease identification is essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform precision pruning of hedges, shrubs, trees, palms, and ornamental plantings.
• Install and maintain seasonal color; prepare soil, plant, mulch, and fertilize.
• Identify health issues in plants and pests; take corrective action.
• Monitor and adjust irrigation; assist with minor irrigation repairs.
• Operate and maintain landscape tools and equipment; ensure safety and cleanliness.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Irrigation knowledge

Plant disease ID

Tree trimming

Public interaction

Education

Florida Class E driver’s license

Florida Chapter 487 RUP License preferred

GI-BMP Certification

Job description

The Town of Palm Beach is an internationally acclaimed destination known worldwide for its extraordinary beauty, small-town charm, and exceptional service standards. Our residents are some of the world's most influential people and they choose Palm Beach to call home because of the amazing quality of life. The Town is seeking a key position to perpetuate its values, of excellence and reliability in this one-of-a-kind setting.

Do you share these values Are you ready for the challenge Come be part of our team!

The Town of Palm Beach employees are driven by the vision to deliver the highest quality service by continuously improving and always striving to be the standard by which all others are measured. The employees of the Town commit to and are guided by the following values:

• Respect for everyone;
• Highest ethical standards;
• Cooperation and teamwork;
• Commitment to quality;
• Spirit of innovation;
• Open and timely communication; and
• Personal responsibility and accountability.

This position performs semi-skilled horticultural and landscape maintenance work throughout the Town of Palm Beach. The Landscape Gardener is responsible for maintaining high-visibility landscaped areas to the Town’s elevated aesthetic standards. Core duties include precision pruning, detailed hand-maintenance of ornamental plantings, installation and care of seasonal color, pest and disease identification, irrigation monitoring, and overall horticultural upkeep of specialty landscape zones. The employee must work independently, identify and correct deficiencies, and deliver consistent quality while supporting the operations of the Grounds and Streets Bureaus.

Landscape Maintenance & Horticulture

• Perform precision pruning of hedges, shrubs, trees, palms, and ornamental plantings.
• Execute detailed hand-maintenance of landscape beds, including edging, shaping, fine grooming, and specialty detail work.
• Install and maintain seasonal color, including soil preparation, planting, mulching, fertilization, and ongoing care.
• Identify plant, turf, and palm health issues such as pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental stress; take corrective action as appropriate.
• Remove and replace damaged, declining, or nonperforming plant material.

Irrigation & Chemical Application

• Adjust, monitor, and report irrigation deficiencies to ensure proper watering.
• Assist with minor irrigation repairs as directed.
• Apply fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and soil amendments in accordance with regulations, BMPs, label requirements, and safety protocols.

Equipment & Tools

• Operate and maintain hand tools, power tools, hydraulic tools, and small landscape equipment safely.
• Perform preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting on equipment.
• Safely operate Town vehicles and comply with load-securement standards.

Operational & Administrative

• Read and interpret safety manuals, equipment instructions, MSDS sheets, work orders, and other job-related materials.
• Maintain clean work areas, proper debris removal, and organized equipment storage.
• Complete daily work sheets, basic documentation, and reporting as required. May need to use mobile phones and computers as needed for work orders, reporting, and communication.
• Communicate landscape deficiencies, hazards, and improvement needs to supervisors.
• Follow all Town safety procedures and operational guidelines.
• Follow proper Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) / Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) procedures when working near roadways, medians, or rights-of-way.
• Work independently or as part of a team to ensure Town standards are met.
• Assist with inventory of plants, materials, tools, equipment, and supplies.
• Assist with storm preparation and post-storm recovery efforts.
• Assist other Public Works bureaus as assigned.
• Support Town functions, special events, and beautification activities.
• Maintain professional interactions with residents, visitors, and the public.

• At least five (5) years of experience in grounds maintenance, horticulture, or related work, with knowledge of irrigation systems and plant/turf/palm disease identification.
• Must possess a valid Florida Class E driver’s license.
• Florida Chapter 487 RUP License preferred or the ability to obtain within twelve (12) months.
• GI-BMP Certification required or ability to obtain within six (6) months.

• Extensive knowledge of tree trimming techniques and tree-care equipment.
• Knowledgeable in safe chemical usage and applications.
• Ability to identify a variety of tree, shrub, and plant species.
• Knowledge of hydraulic tools and their safe operation.
• Skill in the operation, care, and preventative maintenance of landscape tools and equipment.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare basic reports.
• Ability to perform hard manual labor and work in elevated areas.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Strong public and employee-relations skills; ability to maintain a positive, professional environment.