HORTICULTURAL WORKER II                                                               7015

 

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class plans and teaches classes in various aspects of horticulture and performs specialized work in the care and plant­ing of plants, flowers, shrubs and trees in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaped area. The employee may assume responsibility for maintenance and repairs in a greenhouse and the supervision of other workers in routine tasks.  Work is performed with technical independence, without direct or continuing supervision.  Performance is subject to review through observation and frequent consultation.  Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

            Plans and teaches classes in different aspects of horticulture to the general public and various groups, such as senior citizens, children, handicapped, and women’s groups;

            Gives lectures on topics such as pruning, organic gardening, tropical planting, and fertilizing;

            Gathers materials and supplies for classes;

            Prepares and cleans up classroom;

            Performs greenhouse and nursery work, such as preparing soil, sowing seeds, cultivating and transplanting seedlings or cuttings, and watering, fertilizing and potting plants;

            Does experimental planting and gardening in various mixtures of soil, sand, compost and other materials;

            Performs soil analysis and testing as to acidity, phosphates and other factors;

            Assists in the planning, preparation and completion of landscaping and gardening projects;

            Supervises other workers in the routine aspects of nursery, greenhouse and landscaping work;

            Consults with supervisor on supplies and equipment required;

            May be required to perform semi-skilled laboring duties, such as removing snow from sidewalks, mowing grass, raking leaves, picking up debris, and moving supplies and equipment.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of the methods used in propagating, planting, cultivating, pruning, watering, fertilizing, and the general care of plants, flowers, shrubs and lawns; thorough knowledge of the growth characteristics and typical diseases of a wide variety of flowers and plants, thorough knowledge of the materials and tools used in greenhouse, nursery and landscaping work; skill in the use of gardening equipment and tools; ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to supervise the work of a small number of subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

           

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

            a) Graduation from a New York State or Regionally accredited college or university with an Associate's Degree or major in Horticulture and two (2) years of experience in the care, planting, and identification and diagnosis of insect and disease problems of plants, flowers, shrubs and trees in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping operation, one (1) year of which must have included conducting classes in various aspects of horticulture; or,

            b) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and four (4) years of experience in the care, planting, and identification and diagnosis of insect and disease problems on plants, flowers, shrubs and trees in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping operation, one (1) year of which must have included conducting classes in various aspects of horticulture; or,

            c) Satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the limits of a) and b).

 

NOTE:  Possession of a Master Gardener’s Certificate from Cornell Cooperative Extension will be substituted for one year of non-teaching experience.

 

12/14/00

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Non-Competitive

Review 04/11/05