Horticulturist

City of New Carrollton; New Carrollton (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

City of New Carrollton seeks an experienced Horticulturist to lead the grounds maintenance department and drive design, development, and transformation of parks and public spaces in New Carrollton, MD.

You will oversee landscaping projects, manage tree care, supervise staff, and partner on sustainability initiatives while ensuring compliance and safety in a dynamic city environment.

Qualifications

• Requires an Associate’s Degree or specialized courses in horticulture or closely related field.
• Requires four years of experience as a Horticulturist or closely related role.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the grounds maintenance department and supervise Arborist and Grounds Maintenance Supervisor.
• Develop and implement landscaping projects across City parks and playgrounds.
• Manage tree inventory, tree maintenance plans, and related capital projects.
• Assist with environmental sustainability research and grant opportunities.
• Prepare performance appraisals and conduct staff reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Project planning

Education

Associate’s Degree in horticulture or related field

Job description

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: New Carrollton, MD 20784Salary Range: $79,690.00 - $99,522.00 Salary/yearJob Shift: DayShape the Landscape. Grow the Community. Make an Impact.

Do you have a passion for plants, trees, landscape design, and creating beautiful public spaces? Bring your expertise to the City of New Carrollton as our Horticulturist!

This is your opportunity to turn your knowledge and creativity into a visible impact across the community. As the City's Horticulturist, you will play a key leadership role in overseeing grounds maintenance operations while helping design, develop, and transform parks, playgrounds, landscapes, and other public spaces.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Oversee the grounds maintenance department and serve as a City liaison on other related projects. Works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings and reports.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the overall performance of the grounds maintenance department; works closely and supervises the operational responsibilities of the Arborist and Grounds Maintenance Supervisor.
• Develops plans, designs, organizes, and implements new landscaping projects and programs throughout the City.
• Creates and modifies the designs of City parks and playgrounds. Manages the construction, renovation, and revitalization of all parks and playground related projects.
• Assists in researching environmental sustainability, and parks and open space grant opportunities.
• Serves as a City liaison on special projects and provides staff support to City committees and sustainability initiatives.
• Establishes, organizes, and implements a Tree Management Plan along with a Tree Maintenance Schedule; manages the tree inventory, tree curbside and in-parks plantings.
• Oversees the evaluation of all trees for pruning, removal, insect and disease preventions.
• Purchases all grounds maintenance equipment and supplies; monitors expenditures and maintains budgets for assigned programs; assists with budget preparation.
• Attends meetings and reports the status of projects when necessary.
• Advises and responds to horticultural issues and concerns from City officials and residents.
• Partners with the Code Enforcement Department when dealing with citations pertaining to overgrowth and dead trees on private property.
• Prepares performance appraisals and conducts individual meetings with employees to review the past year's performance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

All candidates considered for the position will be required to successfully pass a background investigation. The City of New Carrollton is a Drug-Free Workplace. Pre-employment and random drug screenings are required to maintain a safe and drug-free work environment. The City of New Carrollton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. In accordance with the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA), the City of New Carrollton does not require or request any applicant to take a lie detector test as a condition of employment. The use of lie detector tests is prohibited by federal law, except in limited circumstances as provided under the Act.

QualificationsMINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Requires an Associate’s Degree or specialized courses/training equivalent to satisfactory completion of two years of college in horticulture, landscaping or closely related field.
• Requires four (4) years of experience as a Horticulturist or closely related experience.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIREMENTS

• Requires Maryland Pesticide Application Certification
• Requires Maryland Tree Care Expert Certification
• Requires Class B CDL

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, stretching, or lifting all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring 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 traffic, toxic/caustic chemicals, and moving machinery.