Landscape Maintenance Tech I

Landscape Maintenance TechnicianTo maintain assigned landscaped areas throughout the city by using sound horticultural practices and varied equipment and resources of the Parks & Recreation Department.Essential FunctionsMaintains shrubs, flowers and landscaped areas with the use of mowers, cutters, edgers and other necessary hand and mechanical equipment.Maintains tools and equipment in good working condition.Utilizes proper techniques when pruning ornamentals and trees.Guards against possible grass and shrub diseases and pest infestation and eradicates them as soon as possible.Mows, weeds, collects and picks up litter and irrigates landscaping.Works in various locations such as parks, cemeteries, vacant lots, medians and streets.Plants, cultivates, trims, sprays herbicide/fertilizer and waters plants and shrubs.Maintains and makes minor repairs to irrigation systems.Performs manual labor and other semi-skilled maintenance and construction duties.Performs strenuous work in a variety of weather conditions including high heat conditions.Ensures all City Parks are clean.Works in hazardous conditions such as medians and roads often on a daily basis.Minimum QualificationsOne year of landscape experience or similar horticultural responsibilities, or the equivalent in education, training, and experience, which would provide the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.Possess and maintains a valid State of Florida Driver's License.Must obtain Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Flagger certification within six months of employment.Must obtain Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) certification within six months of employment.Job Based CompetenciesKnowledge of sound horticultural principles and techniques.Knowledge of tools, equipment and the materials used in the care of lawns, shrubs, flowers and similar landscaped areas characteristic of Florida.Knowledge of Southwest Florida irrigation practices and maintenance.Ability to recognize and treat grass and shrub diseases and common pest infestation.Ability to work overtime and/or be on call.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.Under the direction of and responsible to the Department Head or designated representative. No routine supervisory duties. May be assigned to supervise work details of employees while working on special projects or during periods of peak activity.Physical RequirementsThis position requires the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally and up to 50 pounds of force frequently. Work requires considerable physical activity including walking, lifting, reaching, stooping, pulling, grasping, balancing, climbing, kneeling, standing and crouching. Incumbent is subject to inside and outside activities with a variety of weather changes or atmospheric conditions. Incumbent may be exposed to activities such as noise and jobs with potential hazards that may require special protection and/or special safety precautions. Visual acuity is required to inspect work completed by crews for accuracy and quality. Incumbent is required to hear sufficiently to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Manual dexterity is required to operate equipment in performance of duties.Public ContactIncumbent has limited contact with the public while working in various landscaped areas throughout the city.Retirement BenefitThe City of Sarasota made the transition to become a Florida Retirement System (FRS) employer effective December 1, 2021. To learn more about what this benefit may mean for you, please visit MyFrs.com. Please note that if you are hired to work for the City of Sarasota as an FRS employer, you will be asked to complete a form to certify your FRS status, as there may be an impact to any FRS benefit you are already receiving.If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Jake Brown our ADA Coordinator. Jake can be reached via email at Jake.Brown@sarasotafl.gov or via phone at 941-263-6299.For questions pertaining to general employment or job application status, please call 941-263-6476, or email HR@sarasotafl.gov.