Horticulturist Senior

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Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builderan employee with the City of Gainesville you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job its a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department:

GGPublic Works: Urban Forestry Program

Salary Range Minimum:

$52000.00

Salary Range Maximum:

$81604.02

Closing Date:

12/08/2025

Job Details:

This is a highly responsible para-professional technical and supervisory position developing implementing and maintaining the City of Gainesville Tree Planting Programs.
The single position allocated to this classification reports to and performs work under the supervision of the City Arborist. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its extensive technical knowledge in arboriculture and excellence in communicating with the general public.

Job Description:

SUMMARY

This is a highly responsible para-professional technical and supervisory position developing implementing and maintaining the City of Gainesville Tree Planting Programs.

The single position allocated to this classification reports to and performs work under the supervision of the City Arborist. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its extensive technical knowledge in arboriculture and excellence in communicating with the general public.

EXAMPLES OF WORK*

*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Tracks and evaluates horticultural work crew performance; performs directly related work as required.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to ensure all appropriate actions are taken for the care and maintenance of City of Gainesville trees and tree planting projects.

The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other City employees outside contractors volunteers and the public.

Prepares the work schedules of assigned work crews.

Inspects urban forestry projects to make certain that quality maintenance is being performed according to the prescribed schedule and departmental guidelines.

Provides training and technical guidance to personnel in the proper procedures for various types of vegetation maintenance.

Ensures work crews are operating with all standard safety precautions and operating procedures.

Maintains thorough and accurate records of all job activities and prepares statistical and narrative reports on job status as necessary and requested.

Coordinates internal and intra-Departmental activities relating to ongoing and/or special Horticultural projects and maintenance.

Monitors the portion of the budget relating to the expenditure of funds within assigned area.

Orders equipment and materials for assigned projects.

Provides information and collects information from neighborhood and community groups on current projects and develops ideas for future projects.

Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.

Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.

Responds to citizens questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.

Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.

Plans organizes manages and directs the functions associated with the introduction and maintenance of young trees in the City of Gainesville rights-of-way roadway medians stormwater basins and parks that may include oversight of contractual services. Develops planting plans that achieve the goals of providing shade and beauty while avoiding future infrastructure damage.

Supervises assigned employees.

Recruits trains and supervises volunteers principally citizen Tree Sponsors who provide aftercare for fifty-percent of the trees planted annually.

Maintains tree nursery and production.

Assists with plans for Arbor Day celebrations in Gainesville.

Answers questions from the public regarding the care of newly planted trees. Speaks to groups interested in the renewal of the urban forest.

Responsible for assuring the requirements of the American National Standard for Tree Care Operations ANSI A300-1995 are followed with respect to the pruning of young trees.

Assures all trees planted on public right-of-ways are of the grade specified by the City standards or better according to the Florida Nursery grades of the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Consumer Services.

Drives a pick-up truck with a pull-behind water tank.

Uses mechanical tree spade to transplant large trees.

Sprays non-restricted use pesticides and herbicides as needed.

Responsible for ensuring the staking and up righting of small trees in the aftermath of widespread emergencies (e.g. hurricanes).

Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Oversees varied administrative work associated with the renewal of the urban forest.

Monitors replanting compliance for all tree removal permits. Works with Code Enforcement to resolve non-compliance.

Represents the City of Gainesville at public meetings and events as assigned.

May act in absence of supervisor.

Performs other related duties as assigned .

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education experience knowledge skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Botany Plant Identification Plant Physiology Plant Pathology or Horticulture; or

Associate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Horticulture; and Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses

A valid United States Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Valid Florida Driver License is required within thirty (30) days of start date.

Certifications

Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture is required within six (6) months of appointment.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of horticultural principles and practices including a thorough understanding of the cultivation of trees that can be grown in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 9 and 10 and American Horticultural Society Plant Heat-Zones 9 and 10.

Understanding of potential root infrastructure conflicts and strategies to avoid same.

Knowledge of concepts and principles of plant propagation and nursery plant production.

Knowledge of landscaping and design principles.

Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary in municipal horticulture.

Ability to safely operate all equipment and vehicles associated with the Right of Way Tree Planting programs.

Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to plan direct and supervise the work of others.

Ability to work effectively with co-workers and the general public.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential job functions including the ability to lift carry push or pull fifty (50) pounds without assistance and to stand kneel and stoop.

Work requires the use of personal protection equipment including hearing protection eye protection foot protection hand protection head protection and use of respiratory protection equipment in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

Must be able to read and comprehend labels and directions pertaining to herbicide and pesticide applications.

Must be physically able to safely operate mechanical control of but not limited to hand and power tools tree spade spraying equipment and motor vehicles.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work requires performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions.

Work requires the ability to work safely with hazardous and noxious chemicals including but not limited to: pesticides herbicides and other chemicals.

Note:

May Require Assessment(s).

May fill multiple positions.

May establish an eligibility list.

Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

All regular employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance life insurance paid leave 11 paid a holidays a year a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan but we also o ff er great things like on-site fi tness centers tuition reimbursement on-site medical sta ff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability who require special accommodations during the selection process should notify the Human Resources Department at or TDD/TTY at .

Veterans Preference

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07 Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans Preference.

If you are unable to apply online due to a disability contact recruiting at or by calling .