Horticultural Support Technician (11438, Grade L06)

The Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission is an award winning organization with over 5,000 employees that administers over 52,000 acres of stream valley parks, large regional parks, neighborhood parks and park-school recreation areas throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Not only do we administer and maintain the park systems, but in Prince George’s County we are also responsible for developing the county’s public recreation programs.

Our Department of Parks & Recreation has the overall responsibility for planning, supervising and coordinating all park/recreation facilities and services throughout Prince George’s County. The Facility Services Division (FSD) is the largest division within this department and is composed of six major work areas: Fleet Management, Buildings & Structures (Trade Shops), Horticulture & Forestry, Major Maintenance & Inspection, Critical Projects (Aquatics, Heavy Equipment and Roads & Grounds, Sustainability)and the Administrative section. The mission of FSD is to provide professional, high quality maintenance and maintenance support services for all parks and recreation facilities and to support the diverse work programs of the Parks & Recreation department in Prince George’s County and its customers. The organization has added a range of new services to its current program offerings in addition to adding new positions to implement them. We are growing by leaps and bounds and offer a variety of opportunities for advancement.This position is located in the Greenhouse/Nursery unit of the Horticulture & Forestry (H&F) Section which provides horticulture services throughout the park system. The Greenhouse/Nursery unit is responsible for plants and flowers for all Commission facilities within Prince George’s County. The Greenhouse grows 50,000 spring and 40,000 fall annuals, 1,000 perennials and an increasing number of native plants, 3,050 poinsettias and supports a variety of special events and programs. This program is diverse, utilizing the widest range of plants as well as encompassing a wide range of horticulture skills and knowledge.

Our Horticultural Support Technician provides daily care, waters, fertilizes, and grooms plants. Mixes and transports soil and other growing mediums. Installs, transplants, and/or removes plants. Performs pruning, seeding, dead heading, weeding and staking. Assist with unloading and delivery of plants to display areas. Prepares plants for display for design/creative display and provide program support for special events. These events often involve working with the Exhibit (design) Shop team to design floral themes based on the overall theme of the event or coordination with County representatives as appropriate.

Monitors heat, ventilation and irrigation systems in greenhouse and outdoor holding areas to provide the most conducive growing environment for plants as directed. Moves plants from greenhouse to outdoor nursery area.

Provides routine cleaning, maintenance and repair of greenhouses, irrigation systems and other specialized structures or systems.

Operates string trimmers, push mowers, riding mowers and tractors to cut grass around greenhouse and nursery area.

Maintains records of plant growth, and plant inventories.

Come Plant With Us – We Love Plants!Maryland State Pesticide Application RegistrationWithin Twelve (12) Months of Hire(Work Hours are 6:00 am – 2:45 pm) SALARY $43,216-$76,540

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in greenhouse or outdoors with exposure to a variety of weather conditions. Some driving may be required. Exposed to dirt and dust, unpleasant odors and fumes from fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and pesticides; and exposure to wildlife and potentially harmful insects (i.e., bees, hornets, wasps) and traffic hazards and noise. Personal protective equipment is required to apply certain pesticides. May be subject to call back for emergencies and occasionally work overtime, evenings and weekends. Ability to stand, walk, crouch, kneel, bend or squat for considerable periods of time; lift and carry materials and equipment weighing in excess of 50 pounds; and push and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds with or without assistance.

1. High school diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).
2. One year of progressively responsible gardening, greenhouse, nursery or landscaping experience.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total one (1) year.
4. Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.
5. Contingent upon area of assignment, some positions in this class may require within 12 months of placement in the position (a) Commercial driver’s license (CDL) with appropriate endorsements; (b) Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator certification.
6. Pass Commission medical examination.

Classification Specification Horticulture Support Technician
Classification Specification Horticultural Support Technician

Maryland State Pesticide Application RegistrationWithin Twelve (12) Months of Hire

Two years of relevant greenhouse or nursery experience; and some specialized training to include course work in horticulture or related area

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.All applicants to this job posting will be considered for this and future job openings for the next six (6) months or until all qualified candidates have been exhausted from this job posting. At that time, a new job posting may be available for applications to future openings.