Positions in this level may lead or supervise assigned personnel in the development and maintenance of grounds, landscapes, athletic fields, nurseries and/or greenhouses. Assigns, instructs and checks the work of other grounds personnel in landscape construction and grounds maintenance work.  Positions may manage and participate in planning large gardening and grounds maintenance programs.

Performs and leads others in planting, transplanting, mowing, pruning fertilizing, and irrigating lawns, gardens, shrubs, and trees;  

Coordinates, plans and prepares special landscaping projects; 

Determines anticipated annual plant and seed consumption for cut flower arrangements, wreaths, potted plant issues, flower beds, gardens, lawns, and shrubs; estimates costs for plants, seeds, soil conditioners, insect sprays, fungicides, equipment, and man hours; 

Formulates and submits for administrative approval annual operating plans for large program, of grounds maintenance, gardening, and greenhouse operation; 

Supervises number of gardeners, temporary employees, inmates, and patients; gives technical gardening and floricultural assistance; evaluates work of subordinates; 

Submits requests for supplies, equipment and help needed; 

Maintains adherence to safety policies and procedures; 

Operates power and motorized equipment such as blowers, light tractors, front-end loaders, lawn mowers, gang mowers, forklifts, lawn edger’s, chain saws, small trucks, back pack blowers, lawn vacuums, and snow blowers; 

Maintains pavements; maintains and resurfaces parking lots and roads; 

Assists in interviewing, selecting, training, and evaluating personnel; 

May supervise lower level staff.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position. 

Positions typically require two to three years of experience in gardening, plant care, landscape construction and grounds maintenance.   

A college degree involving major study in agronomy, botany, horticulture, soils or closely allied field may be substituted for gardening experience.