Gardening Specialist - Re-announced

Essential Functions : Under the general supervision of the Grounds Manager or designee, the Gardening Specialist performs a wide variety of gardening work in an assigned area of a campus. The Gardening Specialist will perform the following activities: horticultural spray and pest eradication work; maintenance, repair, and modification of irrigation systems; plan, develop, and maintain special planting areas or ornamental gardens; on a regularly schedule basis, apply chemicals for the eradication of fungi, pests, insects, and weeds to plants, trees, shrubs, lawns, embankments, roads, parking lots, unimproved acreage, and buildings; select appropriate times to apply the chemicals, taking into consideration weather conditions and frequency of usage; determine where to place poisons and traps; safely stores chemicals and supplies used in spraying programs; repair broken sprinkler lines, sprinkler heads, valves, and related equipment; clear blockages from valves and pipes; inspect, install, service, and maintain automatic sprinkler control devices taking into consideration the vegetation, soil conditions, evaporation, water retention factors, while working with contractors to assure proper irrigating capabilities of the system; make recommendations for the planning and development of special planting areas within their assigned area; select plants and flowers for ornamental gardens; and provide advice and assistance to others regarding proper care of flowers and ornamental plants, pruning, and other technical skills. Gardening Specialist typically performs work involving some or all of the following duties: plant, cultivate, fertilize, water and spray ornamental plants, shrubs, hedges, trees, lawns and flowers; prepare and treat soils for planting; maintains sprinklers, tools and equipment in proper condition and repair; operates and performs maintenance on small power-operated power mowers, small riding mowers, and other gardening power equipment; may from time-to-time provides lead work direction to Groundsworkers or individuals in other grounds classifications; may drive automotive equipment in the performance of assigned duties.