Horticulture/Forestry Technician

City of Idaho Falls; United States; On-site; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

PERSI retirement

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

The City of Idaho Falls seeks a full‑time Horticulturist/Forestry Technician to maintain trees, shrubs, and flowers on City property, including parks, cemeteries, golf courses, and medians. You will plant, prune, fertilize, and help oversee tree inventory and pesticide applications.

Minimum qualifications include an Associate's Degree in Forestry or Horticulture, two years of related experience, and the ability to obtain a CDL and ISA Arborist certification within six months.

Qualifications

• Requires an Associate's Degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Botany or related field.
• Two years of experience as botanist/forester/horticulturist or similar duties.
• CDL within six months; ISA Certified Arborist certification or ability to obtain within six months.

Responsibilities

• Assist in landscaping of parks, cemeteries, golf courses, medians and rights-of-way by planting, transplanting, fertilizing, cultivation, trimming and removal of plants.
• Trims trees safely according to ANSI standards.
• Support city beautification projects and apply fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides as needed.
• Operate various equipment (backhoe, chipper, rototiller, sodcutter, spraying equipment, chainsaws, hedge trimmers).
• Maintain greenhouse crops and manage tree inventory records.
• Instruct golf course personnel on horticulture/forestry issues and train staff in chemical applications.

Skills

Botany & landscape knowledge

Safe equipment operation

Verbal & written communication

Public interaction

Education

Associate's Degree in Forestry or Horticulture

Tools

GIS

Pesticide application licenses

Job description

Be a part of a dynamic team whose common goal is to make a difference in our community. It is amazing to know that by being a part of the City of Idaho Falls team, you would be doing important work for our community that affects people’s lives. Every day brings new challenges and rewards!

Job Description: General Purpose

The City of Idaho Falls is currently accepting applications for the position of Horticulturist/Forestry Technician. This full-time provides a variety of technical duties and assistance related to the planning, maintenance, care, and layout for the planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers on City owned property. Provides technical assistance to various departmental personnel engaged in environ maintenance and beautification.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Parks Superintendent and close supervision of Horticulturist and Urban Forester.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Provides supervision to Horticulturist/Forestry Laborers and part-time seasonal employees.

Essential Functions

• Assists Horticulturist/Forrester in proper landscaping of parks, cemeteries, golf courses, median and right-a-ways by planting, transplanting, fertilizing, cultivation, trimming and removal of park flowers, trees and shrubs.
• Trims trees in a safe manner and in accordance with ANSI standards as recommended.
• Assists with City beautification projects during appropriate times of the year.
• Performs, assists and oversees the application of fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides; ensures proper concentrations and mixtures for effectiveness and safety.
• Operates safely and appropriately various types of power and motorized equipment, which shall include, but not be limited to, backhoe, chipper, rototiller, sodcutter, spraying equipment, chainsaws, hedgetrimmers and other horticulture implements.
• Performs maintenance on small equipment used by the department.
• Perform greenhouse crop maintenance to assure proper growing conditions to cultivate growth and development of various flowers, trees and shrubs.
• Inspects greenhouse crops for fungi, pests and diseases and applies pesticide as needed.
• Assists in the oversight of tree inventory program by maintaining records of newly transplanted or planted trees, pruning or removal of trees and any application of pesticides.
• Instruct and assist golf course personnel in regards to horticulture or forestry issues or concerns as needed; provides training to staff related to proper application of control chemicals.
• Make recommendations to Horticulturist and Urban Forester with regard to personnel duties and organization.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• A. Graduation from college with an Associate's Degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Botany or related field.
• AND B. Two (2) years of experience as a botanist, forester, horticulturist or in some other position performing the above or similar duties.
• OR C. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Working knowledge of botany, landscape design, decorative plant cultivation, plant growth, entomology, soil science and forestry; ANSI standards; the use of and application of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides essential to control of noxious weeds, insects, and pests; hardy and acceptable zone 4 plants; city ordinances related to street trees and shade trees; various diseases common to local tree species; fungal diseases, green house pests and nutrient deficiencies common to plants and flowers and related prevention and control methods; growth requirements or various perennial and annual plant species; procedures essential to successful removal, transplanting, and pruning of various types of park plants, shrubs, and trees. Working knowledge of pesticide laws and record keeping requirements; technical plant physiology; botany, landscape design, decorative plant cultivation, plant growth, entomology, soil science and forestry. Some knowledge of principles of supervision and employee motivation; GIS technology and methods. Ability to operate light motorized equipment. Ability to plan and organize beautification activities of City parks. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. Ability to perform moderately strenuous physical labor; ability to work outdoors under extreme weather conditions. Ability to develop effective working relationships with public, supervisors, fellow employees, and subordinates. Ability to recognize and treat plant diseases under supervision of Horticulturist and Urban Forester.

3. Special Qualifications:

Must possess or be able to obtain, within six (6) months of hire, a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Must hold, or be able to obtain, within six (6) months of hire, a Professional Applicator License in ornamental pest Must hold or be able to obtain within six (6) months of hire, ISA Certified Arborist certification.

Work Environment

Work Environment Tasks require a variety of physical activities generally involving muscular strain. Physical demands may occur in activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, holding, lifting, carrying, etc. Talking, hearing and seeing required in the daily performance of job duties. Exposure to extreme weather, environmental hazards and dangers resulting from working around heights and dangerous equipment. Mental application utilizes memory for details, emotional stability and discriminating thinking and creative problem solving.

Disclaimer

The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, demands, and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Management reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed with or without notice. This job description supersedes earlier versions.

Pay Range: $23.69 - $26.61

Benefits:

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, vision and life coverage. You will also be eligible for retirement benefits through PERSI. PERSI is a defined benefit plan that offers guaranteed retirement benefits for full-time employees.

Join a team that’s shaping one of the best places to live and work in the country. As the largest city in eastern Idaho—and consistently recognized for job growth and livability—the City of Idaho Falls offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment. Our employees enjoy meaningful public service careers across 11 departments, including parks and recreation, utilities, public safety, and more. We offer competitive pay, generous benefits, and retirement through the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI). With a strong community spirit, beautiful natural surroundings, and year-round recreational and cultural activities, Idaho Falls is more than a workplace—it’s a place to grow, thrive, and make a difference.