Horticulturist

The horticulturist works with the garden staff to organize, implement, and maintain botanical research and display collections. This position involves training and supervising other members of the horticulture crew. In doing so, this position works in collaboration with the Head Horticulturist and Park Manager while reporting to the Director of the botanic garden.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Independent judgment is required in the organization of work, the establishment of priorities, and coordination of activities.

• 
  Confers with the administrative team for prioritization of projects, equipment, and additional labor.
• Works as part of a team of horticulture personnel in developing designs for permanent and seasonal garden displays.
• Develops, oversees, and implements fertilization and pesticide schedules and application methods.
• Provides training and technical guidance to garden staff and volunteers in the proper procedures for maintaining various types of vegetation throughout the facility.
• Assists with inventory of botanical signage for living collections.
• Knowledge and understanding of Latin nomenclature for labeling of plant collections is required.
• General household duties such as taking out the trash, picking up trash, cleaning of the facility will be performed as needed.
• Other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's Degree in Ornamental Horticulture, Floriculture, or a closely related field.
• Experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.
• Ability to operate a computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid Texas Driver's license and a good driving record.
• Pesticide Applicator's License (in Lawn & Ornamental and Weed control) as issued through the Texas Structural Pest Control Board is required to perform this job; continued employment is contingent upon obtaining referenced licenses.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Thorough knowledge of cultural requirements for cultivating a wide range of plants.
• Thorough knowledge of the methods, materials, and tools used in gardening and horticultural growing procedures, including watering, fertilization, and pest/pathogen application.
• Ability to operate power tools used in turf and related maintenance activities.
• Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to coordinate the work of volunteers.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
The incumbent must demonstrate the following personal attributes:

• Ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently
• First aid training a plus
• Flexible personality, open to new ideas, and suggestions
• Good observation skills
• Initiative and perseverance to complete projects
• Organizational skills
• Team leadership abilities
• Be honest and trustworthy
• Be respectful
• Be flexible
• Demonstrate sound work ethics

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Stand, walk, use hands to fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, talk or hear, and taste or smell.
• The employee must regularly lift and/ or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/ or move up to 50 pounds.

SPECIFIC VISION REQUIREMENTS:

• Distance vision
• Peripheral vision
• Depth perception
• Ability to adjust focus

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions.

• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/ or humid conditions and airborne particles.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTE: To qualify for this position, required education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be clearly stated on your application's employment history. Resumes are welcome, but we do not use any information provided on your resume to qualify and refer you to the Hiring Department for consideration.

General Information

LOCATION:

• Mercer - Humble, TX

HOURS:

• Rotating Schedule - Evening and weekend hours as scheduled

SALARY:

• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

PRE-EMPLOYMENT:
Harris County Precinct 4 strives to maintain a drug and alcohol-free environment in the workplace. All new employees are required to pass a drug and alcohol screening test. May be subject to random testing as a condition of continued employment.
Requires a post-offer criminal history backgrounds check.Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date.