Horticulturist

Louisville Metro Government; Kentucky; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisville Metro Government seeks a qualified supervisor for grounds and facilities maintenance. You will lead field crews, coordinate planting and pruning, and ensure safe, high-quality work across public landscapes.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least four years of horticulture/landscape experience, with ability to manage budgets, entities, and seasonal staff. A valid driver’s license and pesticide certification are needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in botany, horticulture, landscape architecture, or related discipline.
• Four years of horticulture, botanical garden, landscape maintenance, or related experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Supervises staff, directs work, and conducts performance reviews.
• Coordinates tasks, schedules, and quality control; inspects work and sites.
• Enforces safety procedures and PPE for safe operation of equipment.
• Provides technical instruction on planting, disease control, horticulture projects, and pesticide applications.
• Operates heavy equipment and leads landscape projects (backhoes, skid steers, tractors).
• Oversees fertilizer, herbicide, and insecticide applications to maintain plant health.
• Schedules landscape operations, pesticide applications, turf maintenance, and equipment repairs.
• Assists with budget, cost estimates, procurement of equipment and materials.
• Performs snow removal during winter months.

Skills

Staff supervision

Safety training

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Equipment operation (backhoes)

Pesticide applicator certification

Driver's license

Job description

Summary Objective

This position supervises and performs grounds and facilities maintenance work, leading field crews in the execution of maintenance operations and projects. The position directs and oversees horticulturist workers, seasonal employees, contractors, volunteers, and group work teams. This class works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processes employee concerns, directs work, disciplines, and completes employee performance reviews.

• Coordinates, assigns tasks, reviews work, and establishes work schedules; maintains standards and quality control; monitors status of work progress; inspects completed work assignments and sites; answers questions; gives advice, direction, and training.

• Enforces safety and PPE procedures to ensure safe operation of equipment and employee safety.

• Provides technical assistance and instruction concerning operation and use of equipment, proper planting techniques, disease control, horticulture projects, and pesticide applications.

• Operates heavy equipment such as backhoes, skid steers, tractors, forklifts, dump trucks, and snowplows, leading the execution of landscape operations and projects.

• Manages field operations and designs for planting, pruning, fertilizing, spraying and removing trees, plants, shrubs, and flowers for effective botanical public areas and exhibit displays.

• Oversees and performs the application of fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides to promote plant health and control pests and invasive species.

• Schedules, implements, conducts, and organizes landscape operations, pesticide applications, turf maintenance instructions and routine repairs of equipment and tools.

• Establishes interdepartmental communication and scheduling, develops partnerships and collaborates with government departments, contractors, and keeper staff.

• Assists with budget management, monitors and control expenditures, prepares and submits cost estimates, specifications and bid requests. Recommends and procures equipment, materials, supplies and contract services.

• Provides direction, supervision, training, and oversight to subordinates.

• Performs and delegates snow removal during winter months.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Botany, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, or related discipline.

• Four (4) years of horticulture, botanical garden, landscape architecture, or landscape maintenance experience.

EQUIVALENCY

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Must wear safety equipment as mandated by OSHA.

• Must be on 24-hour call.

• Must be certified as a Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator in State of Kentucky under category N3 or obtain the certification within three months of employment.

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

• Must be able to work a varied schedule.

• Must provide own transportation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, jumping, lifting, digging, pushing, pulling and raising objects. Involves exertion between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on occasional basis.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• Involves routine and frequent exposure to:
  • Bright/dim light/darkness
  • Dusts and pollens
  • Extreme heat and/or cold
  • Wet, dry, muddy or humid conditions
  • Extreme noise levels
  • Animals/wildlife
  • Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors
  • Traffic; Moving machinery
  • Electrical shock
  • Heights
  • Radiation; Disease/pathogens.
  • Toxic/caustic chemicals; Explosives
  • Other extreme hazards not listed above

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

Louisville Metro Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the Louisville Metro Government to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

STANDARD CLAUSES

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of Louisville Metro Government.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.

Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.