Senior Horticultural Support Technician (10679, Grade 16)
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Get a reply from this employer
Your resume and cover letter, tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.
Job summary
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is seeking a Senior Horticultural Support Technician to support the Horticulture & Forestry group within the Facility Services Division. You will perform gardening and grounds maintenance across Commission parks and facilities under general supervision.
You will lead crews, assist with landscaping projects, identify plants, and apply IPM practices. The role requires a valid driver's license, CDL may be required for certain assignments,
Qualifications
- Associate’s Degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Forestry or any related area.
- Two (2) years of gardening, greenhouse, nursery experience or horticulture support work.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
Responsibilities
- Direct an area landscaping crew, performing landscape bed preparation annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.
- Direct crews with landscape bed maintenance, including weeding, fertilizing, watering, raking, and adding mulch.
- Prune, plant, and transplant trees. Instruct lesser experienced staff with this task.
- Mow fine turf; from time to time, remove and relay sod.
- Assists with the diagnosis of plant issues, such as drainage problems and pests.
- Under supervision, apply pesticides and fertilizers.
- Should be able to calculate the appropriate rates of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Record and maintain records of pesticides and fertilizers used.
- Direct staff in the operation of mowers, small-motorized equipment, utility vehicles, and commonly used hand tools.
- Assist with designing and installing hardscape structures – walls, steps, paths, fountains, etc.
- Operate snow throwers and shovels to remove snow from sidewalks and driveways.
- Operates complex equipment and vehicles that may require CDL.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission is an award-winning organization with over 5,000 employees that administers over 52,000 acres of stream valley parks, large regional parks, neighborhood parks and park-school recreation areas throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. We administer and maintain the park systems, and in Prince George’s County, we are also responsible for developing the County’s public recreation programs.
The Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission is an award-winning organization with over 5,000 employees that administers over 52,000 acres of stream valley parks, large regional parks, neighborhood parks and park-school recreation areas throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. We administer and maintain the park systems, and in Prince George’s County, we are also responsible for developing the County’s public recreation programs. Our Department of Parks & Recreation has the overall responsibility for planning, supervising and coordinating all park/recreation facilities and services throughout Prince George’s County. The Facility Services Division (FSD) is the largest Division within this Department and is composed of six major work areas: Fleet Management, Buildings & Structures (Trade Shops), Horticulture & Forestry, Major Maintenance & Inspection, Critical Projects (Heavy Equipment/Roads &Grounds, Aquatics, Sustainability and ADA) and the Administrative section. The mission of FSD is to provide professional, high-quality maintenance and maintenance support services for all parks and recreation facilities and to support the diverse work programs of the Parks & Recreation Department in Prince George’s County and its customers. This position is in the Southern or Northern Landscape of the Horticulture & Forestry (H&F) group in the Facility Services Division. This position will work under general supervision, performing full range of skilled technical horticulture support work involving gardening and landscaping work for the care and maintenance of Commission parks, public gardens and/or landscaped areas of Commission buildings and facilities. This candidate will perform a full range of gardening and grounds maintenance duties, with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise. This candidate will assist with landscaping/gardening projects including design, research, and plant selection. They will also have a good knowledge base of the typical horticulture material used in this region, including the ability to identify plants (common and scientific names), shrubs, and trees commonly used in landscape beds, and commonly accepted IPM practices. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead crews and train new and inexperienced staff. Snow removal is required during winter months.
- Direct an area landscaping crew, performing landscape bed preparation annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.
- Direct crews with landscape bed maintenance, including weeding, fertilizing, watering, raking, and adding mulch.
- Prune, plant, and transplant trees. Instruct lesser experienced staff with this task.
- Mow fine turf; from time to time, remove and relay sod.
- Assists with the diagnosis of plant issues, such as drainage problems and pests.
- Under supervision, apply pesticides and fertilizers.
- Should be able to calculate the appropriate rates of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Record and maintain records of pesticides and fertilizers used.
- Direct staff in the operation of mowers, small-motorized equipment, utility vehicles, and commonly used hand tools.
- Assist with designing and installing hardscape structures – walls, steps, paths, fountains, etc.
- Operate snow throwers and shovels to remove snow from sidewalks and driveways.
- Operates complex equipment and vehicles that may require CDL.
Obtain a Commercial Driver’s License with the appropriate endorsements and Maryland Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator certification within 12 months of hire.
Work is performed in greenhouse or outdoors with exposure to a variety of weather conditions. Some driving may be required. Exposed to dirt and dust, unpleasant odors and fumes from fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and pesticides; and exposure to wildlife and potentially harmful insects (i.e., bees, hornets, wasps) and traffic hazards and noise. Personal protective equipment is required to apply certain pesticides. May be subject to call back for emergencies and occasionally work overtime, evenings and weekends. Ability to stand, walk, crouch, kneel, bend or squat for considerable periods of time; lift and carry materials and equipment weighing in excess of 50 pounds; and push and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds with or without assistance.
- Associate’s Degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Forestry or any related area.
- Two (2) years of gardening, greenhouse, nursery experience or horticulture support work.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
- Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.
- Contingent upon area of assignment, some positions in this class may require (a) Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with appropriate endorsements within 12 months of hire; (b) Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator registration within 12 months of placement in the position.
- Pass Commission medical examination.
Classification Specification Senior Horticultural Support Technician
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.
Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you require accommodation or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or301-454-1411(Maryland Relay 7-1-1)
M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.
The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.
Eligibility
You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.
- Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) – Plan E excludes FOP members.
Plan
Employee Contribution
Plan C
9.5%* of base salary (FOP members only)
Plan E
4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.
- 457 (b) Plan (Optional) [Pre-tax and Roth]
- Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)
- Retiree Healthcare – Eligibility requires, at least 10 years of eligible service and continuous enrollment in M-NCPPC plans (or proof of continuous enrollment in comparable plans) during the 36 months immediately preceding your retirement date. Premium cost share based on years of service
Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.*
- Medical
- Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) – (15%)
- UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) – (20%)
- UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) – (20%)
- Prescription – CVS Caremark – (15%)
- Dental – Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO – (20%)
- Vision – EyeMed – (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)
- Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.
Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)
- Medical Account – Maximum annual contribution: $3,300
- Dependent Care Account – Maximum annual contribution: $7,500
- Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
- Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month
- Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000
- Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
- Automatic coverage with opt-out provision
- Supplemental – 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
- Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000
- Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
- Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
- Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birth, adoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member
- Annual: 15 days per year
- Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
- Sick: 15 days per year
- Holidays: 11 days per year
- Credit Union
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Legal Services Plan
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Wellness Program
- Work-Life Program
For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission’s Health and Benefits Office at benefits@mncppc.org or 301-454-1694.
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
