Lead Horticultural Support Technician (11280, Grade 18)

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 (Aquatics, Heavy Equipment and Sustainability) and the Administration 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 located in the Northern & Southern Landscape section of the Horticulture & Forestry (H&F) group in the Facility Services Division. This position will work under general supervision to lead a crew(s) in performing skilled gardening and landscaping work in the care and maintenance of Commission parks, public gardens and/or landscaped areas of Commission buildings and facilities.

The successful candidate will perform a full range of gardening and grounds maintenance duties, as assigned, with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise. This candidate will provide assistance with landscaping/gardening projects to include: 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 ID plants (common and scientific names), shrubs and trees commonly used in landscape beds along with commonly accepted IPM practices. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead crews and train new and inexperienced staff.

• Leads the work of staff engaged in maintaining parks, gardens, specialty horticultural facilities (e.g., conservatory, greenhouse), and other landscaped areas. Discusses work to be performed with supervisor; monitors work in progress and provides technical assistance to crew; and directs corrections and modifications, as appropriate. Trains and instructs new and less experienced staff in proper work methods (i.e., use of tools and equipment, safety precautions and techniques). Participates in the selection of staff or volunteers and provides input into employee performance evaluations. Completes assignments individually or as leader of a work crew. Keeps supervisor informed of status of work and *
• Performs complex gardening and landscaping work for the care and maintenance of Commission parks, public gardens or landscaped areas of buildings and facilities. Prepares planting beds by amending garden soil, rototilling, grading, spading and fertilizing soil to promote plant growth and prevent drainage problems. Leads the planting, transplanting and cultivating of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and other plant materials. Ensures the completion of plant maintenance including fertilization, pruning, trimming and watering; participates in weeding, raking, clearing grounds and mulching plant beds.
• Cleans and maintains water pumps, pools, fertilizer tanks and hoses. Monitors greenhouse and conservatory temperatures, humidity and moisture levels, as well as heating control equipment or systems and other environmental conditions. Maintains and follows crop schedules; grows and maintains plants through daily watering, pruning, fertilizing, staking, dividing and weeding. Performs quality control measures and communicates with stakeholders/crop requestors on changing status of crops. Conducts research on best propagation methods for a variety of plant material. Ensures propagation areas are developed and maintained to germinate and provide rooted cuttings.
• Develops general design plans for landscaping and gardens at a variety of Commission sites (i.e., researches and selects plants by coordinating height, color, texture, peak performance; orders plants from greenhouse and vendors in time for growing schedules and planting deadlines); Designs and coordinates the installation of complex outdoor or indoor displays which include extensive horticultural and interpretive theme developments, custom made forms and hardscapes and interpretive materials. Ensures paperwork is completed, permits obtained, and crop deliveries coordinated as necessary. Conducts inspections; complies with Federal, State or County permit conditions. Trains staff on required procedures and practices, and ensures compliance. Assists in construction and installation of props and hardscapes in displays; consults with and advises park staff on plant selection for park sites.
• Ensures soil health is maintained, tests conducted, and results analyzed. Provides consultation to identify ways to improve soil quality; develops solutions to turf-related issues and problems. Takes lead role in managing soil waste to produce stable, usable compost and recyclable biproducts.
• Applies principles of integrated pest management (IPM) for optimal plant health. Observes plant growth, diagnoses diseases, identifies insects, abiotic factors (e.g., sunlight, precipitation, minerals, soil) and other plant problems and determines effective treatments. Determines proper watering, fertilizing, spraying and pruning schedules; appropriately mixes and applies fertilizers, instructs crew in application of sprays and fertilizers; and maintains records of fertilizers and pesticide chemicals used in accordance with the requirements of the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and local jurisdictions. Tracks data on parasites, diseases, and damaging insects and ensures reporting of status to stakeholders, including crop requestors.
• Implements tree care programs, such as pruning, de-staking, mulching and weeding. Directs the digging of plant materials and filling of tree requests. Plans, coordinates and directs grading, seeding or sodding, and wildflower meadow installation and maintenance. Implements reforestation and habitat restoration projects. Responsible for maintaining turf areas and irrigation systems. Establishes production schedules; responsible for maintaining inventory system of all field nursery trees. Assists customers with orders and reservations. Receives and picks up orders, purchases supplies and materials, originates purchase orders, processes invoices and interacts directly with vendors. Maintains plants, trees and crops; reserves, prepares and loads balled and burlapped trees.
• Operates mowers, tractors with and without attachments, front end loaders, snowplows, trucks with and without trailers, equipment for digging and planting trees, dump trucks and other equipment to maintain facility grounds or deliveries; utilizes a variety of hand and power tools used to perform maintenance work. Performs preventive maintenance and minor repairs on assigned equipment and reports the need for major repairs and maintenance, as required.
• Identifies plants by common and scientific names. Orders labels and places on or near plants to identify them for the public; develops interpretative signage for gardens, as required. Conducts workshops, demonstrations, lectures, and tours for the public and staff. Answers questions and discusses inquiries with visitors.
• Researches and evaluates materials to be purchased and provides recommendations. Reviews product catalogs and meets with vendors to obtain price quotes; prepares purchase requests. Prepares bid specifications and oversees the work of contractors. Utilizes work management system database to enter and retrieve data; and writes standard reports and correspondence, as required.
• Assists in snow removal and performing semi-skilled trade work in building retaining walls, steps, paths, and other landscape structures, as required. Coordinates and interacts with trade shops, exhibit shops, vendors and regulators.
• Operates complex equipment and vehicles that require a CDL

1. Associate's Degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Forestry or any related field.
2. Four (4) years of experience in landscaping, gardening, greenhouse, nursery or horticultural support work including leading a crew of workers.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
4. 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.
5. Contingent upon area of assignment, some positions in this class may require within 12 months of placement in the position: (a) Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with appropriate endorsements; (b) Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide applicator certification; (c) Maryland Department of Agriculture Fertilizer Applicator certification.
6. Pass Commission medical examination.

Classification Specification Lead Horticultural Support Technician May be subject to drug and alcohol testing. 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 on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.