Logo
Personnel Board of Jefferson County

Gardener - Birmingham

Personnel Board of Jefferson County, Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35203

Save Job

Gardener

The City of Birmingham is seeking a well-qualified, motivated Gardener to perform manual and skilled tasks in the professional care of flowers, plants, and shrubs. Employees in this job class prep soil and/or beds for planting, use chemicals to treat plant diseases/infestations, maintain the overall appearance of assigned plant areas, and perform various administrative tasks (e.g., record keeping, attending meetings, inventory maintenance). Gardeners may act as lead workers but have no supervisory responsibilities of subordinate personnel and are required to work in outdoor settings such as parks, landscaped areas, botanical gardens, and greenhouses. Compensation & Benefits: Minimum Qualifications: Driver's license. Ability to obtain an Ornamental & Turf Pest Control License (custodial or supervisory) within 90 days of being appointed to the position (if required by jurisdiction). Paid work experience caring for and maintaining plants and landscapes (e.g., plant identification, pruning, planting, watering) using a variety of landscape equipment (mowers, edgers, pruners, shears, saws, etc.). Paid work experience mixing/applying chemicals to treat plant problems (e.g., weeds, plant diseases, insect infestations). Preferred Qualifications: Ornamental & Turf Pest Control License (custodial or supervisory). Degree in horticulture (or related field) obtained from an accredited university. Experience operating heavy equipment such as tractors, bobcat, front-end loaders, and forklifts. Typical Job Duties: Preps soil/beds for planting by removing weeds, tilling, plowing, or turning soil, installing sprinkler systems, aerating soil, conditioning soil by adding additives, and leveling beds to ensure soil/beds are ready for plants and to promote healthy plant growth. Installs and cares for flowers, shrubs, trees, and other plants by digging holes, laying mulch/sod, watering plants, and trimming/pruning plants to ensure healthy plant growth. Acts as a lead worker of peer or support staff by assigning and reviewing work tasks, facilitating training, and providing feedback using policies, procedures, tools, and directives from management in order to ensure tasks are completed in accordance with established requirements. Plans and prepares for work by operating service vehicles/equipment, conducting inspections, referring to schedules, making calculations, keeping records, contacting vendors, and answering questions in order to complete assigned job duties in an efficient manner. Diagnoses and treats plants for problems and/or diseases by performing visual assessments, referencing resources, determining appropriate treatments, mixing/applying chemicals and documenting chemical use in order to keep plants healthy. Performs general maintenance activities by removing debris/litter, pressure washing pavement, using landscaping/lawncare equipment, cleaning work areas and bodies of water, and making minor repairs to equipment in order to maintain the appearances and operational effectiveness of assigned areas throughout the facility. Physical Demands: Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of moderate activity such as digging holes, loading/unloading materials, or extended standing. May involve frequent lifting of items or objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in outdoor settings such as gardens and greenhouses year-round. Work involves the use of gardening/landscaping tools (e.g., pruning shears, shovels, rakes) as well as the use of various types of heavy equipment (e.g., bobcat, gator, backhoe). EEO Statement: The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website. Accommodation: To request an accommodation in the application or hiring process due to your own ongoing medical condition or disability, please contact our Accommodations Coordinator at accommodationrequest@pbjcal.org or phone at 205-279-3500 (select option 1) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The accommodation process is reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the job application process. Note: This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply. Disclaimer: This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.