Horticulturist I - Outdoor Turf Maintenance

Summary :

Performs all duties associated with the maintenance and care of turf and outdoor landscaping. Duties are directly related to the installation and care of the turf and landscaping in all areas of the garden, including off-site Garden-owned properties. Installation and maintenance of landscapes and individual plants must be conducted to the highest standards. Accurate and detailed record keeping and plant labeling is critical.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Performs a wide range of landscape / maintenance tasks important to the preservation, protection and transplanting of existing turf and landscape features; including but not limited to mowing, edging, line-trimming, blowing, soil preparation, planting, seeding or sodding, mulching, grading, irrigation, fertilization and pesticide application and soil testing as needed.
• Identifies low areas, potholes, and other trip hazards present in turf and mitigates filling and reseeding as appropriate.
• Assist with contractor coordination for turf repair required following annual events.
• Maintains meadow areas and naturalized bulb collections and adds to these through selection and acquisition of plant material in line with MBGs plant collections development activities.
• Perform and assists with irrigation auditing as required.
• Oversees and is responsible for specific areas in the assigned mowing schedule in day-to-day operations.
• Performs seasonal tasks as assigned including leaf mulching, tree maintenance, weeding, flower show set-up and maintenance, and snow / ice removal.
• Assists with the maintenance of main site plantings including but not limited to; planting, pruning, weeding and mulching.
• Helps with installation and maintenance of the floral display shows.
• Performs plant record keeping at the highest level ensuring that all plants in the collection have accession labels at all times and all maintenance information regarding the collection (i.e. new plantings, divisions, moves, deaths, etc.) is up to date at all times
• Exhibits the highest level of ethical conduct in obtaining and sharing plant material and ensures compliance with MBG policies
• Understands, consistently monitors, and implements appropriate irrigation requirements for a variety of plant material and utilizes technology to tailor irrigation schedules to assigned collections
• Maintains general care of mowers and landscaping tools, horticultural tools, and technical equipment, including lubricating and general cleaning. Refers more serious problems to Supervisor.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed. Adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Answers questions from visitors and directs them to further assistance, as needed.
• Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves & communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors / managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies :

Qualifications / Experience :

Education :

Computer Skills :

Mathematical Skills :

Reasoning Ability :

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations :

Physical Demands :

Work Environment :

Contacts with Individuals / Organizations inside / outside the Garden :

Supervisor : Supervisor, Horticulture - Turf