Landscape Technician

City-of-Punta-Gord; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Punta Gorda is seeking a skilled laborer for daily maintenance of parks, medians, and streetscape. You will plant flora, install/install and repair irrigation, and assist in landscape development for recreation projects.

The role requires knowledge of safety procedures, landscaping techniques, and equipment operation, plus the ability to coordinate work and communicate with contractors and staff.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of safety procedures and traffic management.
• Landscaping techniques and landscape maintenance.
• Experience with lawn care equipment and landscape materials.
• Ability to operate landscaping machinery safely.
• Understanding of landscape architecture principles.
• Ability to read and interpret landscape drawings and specs.
• Knowledge of construction materials costs.
• Knowledge of inspection techniques.
• Ability to drive listed vehicles and equipment.
• Strong communication and public relations skills.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain flowerbeds and plant trees, shrubs, and flowers.
• Install and repair irrigation systems.
• Prepare preliminary designs, drawings, specs, and cost estimates for parks and recreation projects.
• Review plans for code conformance and approve construction.
• Inspect projects for compliance and suggest changes.
• Advise contractors on plan interpretation and changes.
• Oversee staff tasks, set priorities, coordinate activities, and resolve issues.

Skills

Safety procedures

Landscaping techniques

Landscape maintenance

Lawn care equipment

Landscape architecture knowledge

Drawing from sketches

Cost estimation

Inspection techniques

Operating light vehicles

Communication

Public relations

Team organization

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

3+ years of experience in similar work

Valid Florida driver’s license (Class C CDL)

Tools

Irrigation equipment

Landscaping equipment

Job description

A skilled laborer position responsible for daily maintenance of parks, medians, municipal properties, cul-de-sacs, and streetscape.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

• Cleaning flowerbeds, planting trees, shrubs and flowers.
• Installation and repair of irrigation equipment.
• Prepares preliminary design, working drawings, specifications, and cost estimates pertaining to the development of state parks, recreation areas and other recreation projects, and highway roadside landscaping.
• Reviews plans for conformance to codes and authorized approval for construction.
• Inspects projects as they progress to determine regulation and specification compliance, and makes recommendations to existing specifications and plans.
• Advices contractors on the interpretation of plans and recommends changes when necessary.
• Oversees the work of professional staff by making and reviewing work assignments, establishing priorities, coordinating activities, and resolving related work problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty or responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities; education and/or experience; and, certificates or licenses required in order to fill the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. In lieu of certain requirements listed below, Employee may accrue or acquire certain specified time in service, specialized skills, and/or certifications, thereby qualifying for this position through the City’s career progression policy.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Knowledge of proper safety procedures, including signage and traffic management techniques and appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Knowledge of landscaping techniques and landscape maintenance.
• Knowledge of the equipment and materials used for lawn care and landscape maintenance.
• Skill in the use of landscaping and lawn care equipment.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of landscape architecture/design.
• Knowledge of the instruments, tools, symbols and nomenclature used in landscape architectural drawing and specifications.
• Knowledge of costs and uses of construction materials in landscape design.
• Knowledge of inspection techniques and procedures.
• Able to operate light vehicles and equipment.
• Able to make accurate drawings to scale from sketches, design drawings, and verbal instructions.
• Able to prepare complete plans, specifications, schedules, and cost estimates.
• Able to maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence related to the work.
• Able to communicate effectively with others.
• Able to maintain favorable public relations.
• Able to organize and coordinate the work of others.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate highly desirable, but not required.
• At least 3 years of experience in similar type of work.
• Valid Florida driver’s license required, Class “C” CDL.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

Essential Physical Abilities

Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time
Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time
N/A = Not applicable

• Heavy lifting (45 lbs.. and over)
• Moderate lifting (15 to 44 lbs.)
• Light lifting (under 15 lbs.)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over)
• Moderate carrying (14 to 44 lbs.)
• Light carrying (under 15 lbs.)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Climbing (use of legs and arms)
• Climbing (legs only)
• Good near vision
• Good distant vision
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Distinguishing basic colors
• Distinguishing shades of colors
• Good hearing (with or without hearing aid)
• Straight pulling
• Pulling hand over hand
• Pushing
• Walking
• Standing
• Crawling
• Kneeling
• Bending
• Balancing
• Stooping
• Jumping
• Running
• Throwing
• Driving (cars, small vans, pick-ups, etc.)
• Driving & operating (heavy equip., trucks, etc.)

Environmental Conditions

Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time
Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time
N/A = Not applicable

• Work Inside
• Work Outside
• In the Heat
• In the Cold
• In High Humidity
• In Dampness or Chilliness
• In Dry Conditions
• In or with Noisy Conditions
• In Darkness
• In or with Dusty Conditions
• With Silica, Asbestos, etc.
• With Fumes or Gases
• With Smoke or Flames
• With Chemicals
• With Solvents
• With Grease or Oils
• With Radiant Energy
• With Electrical Energy
• On Slippery Surfaces
• On Uneven Surfaces
• In or With Moving Objects
• In or With Ladders/Scaffolding
• At Heights above Ground Level
• Below Ground Level
• In Water
• With Explosives
• With Poor Ventilation
• With Odors
• With Unusual Fatigue Factors

Disclaimers

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Individuals who cannot perform some of the requirements because they pose health or safety risks to themselves or other employees may be excluded from this position.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by this supervisor.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

Disclaimer: The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATEMENT

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event. All employees may be subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of the City of Punta Gorda to recognize and fulfill its commitment to the community in the area of Equal Employment Opportunity. The City will not knowingly permit discrimination in hiring, promotion, or other conditions of employment with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.