Urban Landscape Technician

City-of-Springfield-; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid leave

Paid pension retirement

Paid health insurance

and MUCH MORE!

Job summary

City of Springfield, Missouri is seeking an Urban Landscape Technician to enhance and maintain parks, gardens, and public spaces through sustainable horticulture.

You will establish native plant communities, support pollinator habitats, and manage green infrastructure while maintaining landscapes citywide. This role requires hands-on maintenance, equipment operation, and collaboration with parks staff.

Qualifications

• Three years of work experience in arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, landscape management, conservation, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Completion of 23 hours of horticulture, forestry, natural resource management, conservation, or related coursework may substitute for two years' experience.
• Preferred: irrigation, native plant establishment, or vegetated green infrastructure maintenance.
• Must obtain CDL and related licenses within probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Create and Maintain Beautiful Landscapes: Plant, cultivate, prune, and maintain flowers, trees, shrubs, turf, and other vegetation throughout City properties.
• Support Sustainable Landscaping: Help establish and maintain native plant communities, pollinator habitats, rain gardens, stroll gardens, and other green infrastructure.
• Apply Your Horticultural Knowledge: Select appropriate plant materials and develop planting layouts considering site conditions, compatibility, seasonal interest, ecological benefits, and maintenance.
• Promote Plant Health: Identify undesirable vegetation, implement weed control, assist with IPM, and collect plant/soil samples.
• Operate Equipment: Safely operate and maintain trucks, tractors, skid-loaders, mowers, sprayers, and power tools.
• Support Nursery Operations: Participate in plant propagation, seed sourcing, and establishment of nursery stock for City landscapes.
• Maintain Irrigation Systems: Assist with irrigation installation, maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

Skills

Irrigation experience

Native plant establishment

Green infrastructure maintenance

Pollinator habitats

Education

3 years of arboriculture/ horticulture/ forestry/ landscape management experience

23 hours horticulture course equivalency

Job description

Do you have a passion for plants, landscape design, and creating beautiful, sustainable outdoor spaces? The City of Springfield and the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department is looking for an Urban Landscape Technician to help enhance and maintain our community’s parks, gardens, and public spaces through innovative horticulture and environmentally conscious landscape management.

In this hands‑on role, you’ll do more than maintain landscapes. You’ll help establish native plant communities, support pollinator habitats, maintain rain gardens and other green infrastructure, and create inviting outdoor spaces that benefit both our community and the environment.

Schedule: Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This position will have to have flexibility to accommodate special events at Park facilities.

What You’ll Do

• Create and Maintain Beautiful Landscapes: Plant, cultivate, prune, and maintain flowers, trees, shrubs, turf, and other vegetation throughout City properties.
• Support Sustainable Landscaping: Help establish and maintain native plant communities, pollinator habitats, rain gardens, stroll gardens, and other green infrastructure.
• Apply Your Horticultural Knowledge: Select appropriate plant materials and develop planting layouts that consider site conditions, plant compatibility, seasonal interest, ecological benefits, and long-term maintenance.
• Promote Plant Health: Identify undesirable and invasive vegetation, implement weed control practices, assist with integrated pest management, and collect plant and soil samples as needed.
• Operate Equipment: Safely operate and maintain a variety of equipment, including trucks, tractors, skid-loaders, mowers, sprayers, and power tools.
• Support Nursery Operations: Participate in plant propagation, seed sourcing, and the establishment of nursery stock for use in City landscapes.
• Maintain Irrigation Systems: Assist with irrigation installation, maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting to support healthy plant growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong experience caring and maintaining for commercial grounds. Serve your community by maintaining our awesome Parks!

Benefits include:

• Generous paid leave
• Paid pension retirement
• Paid health insurance
• and MUCH MORE!

About our Parks Department:

The Springfield-Greene County Park strives to provide the very best in parks and recreation facilities, programs, events, and services to our community. In doing so, we will make a positive impact on the overall quality of life, health, environmental, social, and economic aspects for our resident families and visitors alike.

The Park Board includes 3,200 acres and 105 sites, ranging from neighborhood playgrounds to multi‑use recreational facilities to natural resource areas. The system includes four golf courses, three family centers, a zoo, a farm park, botanical gardens, several sports and athletic complexes, two indoor aquatics centers, six outdoor swimming pools, multiple School‑Park sites and more than 100 miles of recreational trails -- including 70 miles ofGreenways.

Leadership Philosophy

The City of Springfield’s leadership culture is grounded in processes, relationships, and trust. Leaders across the organization operate within the principles of The Trust Edge Framework, which emphasizes:

Clarity, Compassion, Character, Competency, Commitment, Connection, Contribution, and Consistency

These principles guide how we work together, build relationships, and serve our community.

Experience, Education, and Training

• Three years of work experience in arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, landscape management, conservation, natural resource management, or a related field;

OR

• Completion of 23 hours of horticulture, forestry, natural resource management, conservation, or related coursework from an accredited college or university may be substituted for two years’ experience;

PREFERRED

• Experience in irrigation, native plant establishment, or vegetated green infrastructure maintenance.

Licensing/Certification

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Class "A" or "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker and air brake endorsements, depending on assignment, within the following guidelines:
  • Pass written portion of exam within 90 days of employment and skills test portion within the probationary period.
  • Must possess or obtain a State of Missouri Certified Public Operator License in Ornamental and Turf category and a valid International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist certificate within the probationary period depending on assignment.

For more information on essential functions and other requirements, please see the job description.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability and Vet

The City of Springfield promotes equal employment opportunities to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Individuals with disabilities who believe they will need an accommodation to undergo any part of the interview, examination, or pre‑employment process, should request a reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act prior to the testing or appointment. Requests should be requested by contacting City of Springfield Human Resources by phone, 417-864-1607, or in person at the Municipal Busch Building, 840 Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO 65802.

Proof of United States Citizenship/Authorization to Work in the United States as established by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 is a condition of employment. We are committed to a drug‑free workplace. Pre‑employment drug testing is required.

All interested candidates MUST complete the City of Springfield on-line application in its entirety. The candidate profile must include all employment history with accurate and complete information prior to submission. Resumes alone will not be accepted as the application, but they may be submitted as supplemental documentation.