HORTICULTURIST (OPEN)

Cincinnati Pa; Cincinnati, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cincinnati Parks Department is seeking a skilled horticulture technician to grow and care for plants, shrubs, trees, and flowers across city grounds. You will propagate, transplant, fertilize, and manage pests while ensuring safety and environmental standards.

Responsibilities include reading landscape plans, installing plantings, operating garden equipment, and occasionally guiding tours and trainings for staff and volunteers.

Qualifications

• Two-year vocational program in horticulture or related field.
• Paid landscape or turf experience may substitute for education.
• Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to obtain an Ohio Public Operator's Spray License.

Responsibilities

• Grow and care for tropical and hardy plants, shrubs, and trees in parks and grounds.
• Propagate, transplant, fertilize, water, and apply pesticides/herbicides as required.
• Read and implement landscape design drawings and plant layouts.
• Provide basic horticultural training to staff and volunteers; conduct small group tours.

Skills

Plant care & propagation

Operating garden equipment

Pest & disease management

Reading landscape plans

Public interaction

Basic office/computer use

Driving motorized vehicles

Education

Two-year horticulture program

Job description

Under general supervision, this employee grows plants and cares for shrubs, trees, and flowers of both the hardy and tropical nature; performs the more responsible and skilled work in the propagation, growth, and care of various plants, shrubs, and trees in various parks and other City grounds. Performs related duties as required.(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all of the listed KSAs nor do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required.)

Knowledge of

• The care and growth of tropical plants, bedding plants, perennials, shrubs, and trees.
• Appropriate watering practices of plants, trees, and shrubs.
• The safe and proper application of fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers on various plant life.
• Different methods of propagation.
• The proper mixing and application of soils in correct ratios according to the cultural needs of the various plants.
• Appropriate fertilizer, pesticide, fungicides, and herbicides in proper proportion to control insects, other plant pests, and diseases.
• Common plant diseases, insects, plant pests, and other dysfunction of ornamental plants, trees, and shrubs.
• Sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings.

Skill to:

• Operate a personal computer, calculator, and other office equipment.
• Mix and apply insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides in proper proportion to control insects, other plant pests, and diseases.
• Plant various types of bedding plants, perennials, annuals, trees, and shrubs.
• Mix and apply fertilizer in correct proportions depending upon the nurturing requirements of plants, trees, and shrubs.
• Mix and apply soils in correct ratios according to the cultural needs of the various plants.
• Drive motorized equipment such as panel van, van, riding mower, and pick-up trucks.
• Operate motorized garden care equipment such as sprayers, hedge shears, leaf blowers, rototiller, chainsaw, edger, mower, and line trimmer.

Ability to:

• Design, layout, and install landscape plantings.
• Lift properly and carry bulk weight up to 50 lbs., e.g., bags of fertilizer or mulch.
• Identify common plant diseases, insects, or other plant dysfunctions and determine appropriate management strategy.
• Perform moderate to sometimes heavy manual labor which includes landscaping duties such as rock work, landscape construction, soil preparation, and planting.
• Read and interpret landscape design drawings and lay out the plant arrangements according to the related specification.
• Effectively interact with the public, volunteers, and civic groups. Prioritize daily activities without direct supervision.
• Provide basic horticultural training (plant care/identification) to Park staff and volunteers.
• Perform some public speaking, including small group tours of Kron Conservatory and parks/gardens. Follow safety policies and procedures, e.g., Employee Safety Instruction Manual and applicable agency requirements

Resume and Transcripts must be attached if needed to verify educational experience.

Each applicant must have completed a minimum two-year vocational program in horticulture or a related field. Paid experience in landscaping, golf course or turf maintenance, nursery or horticulture management, ornamental plant propagation and care may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

OTHER REQUIREMENETS

• Must have a valid Driver's License.
• Must have, or be able to obtain, an Ohio Public Operator's Spray License before the end of the probationary period for Categories (6-a) General Ornamental and (5) Industrial Vegetation.
• Must be willing to work irregular hours.

MILITARY EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION

Military education and experience may be substituted for college level course work at the lower and upper division baccalaureate and graduate levels and apprenticeship training at the vocational certificate level on a case by case basis based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide recommendations.