Have you fallen in love with Green Springs Gardens during one of Sue’s plant ID Courses? Did you wish you could help maintain the beauty of such an important park? Well now is your chance to do so! Green Springs Garden is looking to fill the position of a Horticultural Technician!

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fairfaxcounty/jobs/3801534/horticultural-technician

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! Works as part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. With more than 25,000 acres of parkland, nine RECenters, eight golf courses, three lakefront parks, and more, FCPA is an exciting organization to be a part of and there are many opportunities for staff to make a difference at every level.

This position is based at the beautiful Green Spring Gardens. Become part of a dynamic staff at a resource rich site that includes demonstration gardens, a national collection of witch hazels, ponds, and a historical house dating back to the 18th century with gardens elements designed by renowned landscape architect Beatrix Farrand. Under the supervision of the Horticulture Resource Manager, the incumbent is responsible for the care and maintenance of assigned gardens at Green Spring Gardens Park. Responsibilities include planning and design as assigned, plant selection and acquisition, installation of gardens, propagation, and maintenance. In addition to outdoor gardening, the position will help care for a non-hardy plant collection in our public glasshouse as well as plant collection stock maintained in several hoop houses. Common gardening tasks will include planting, weeding, mulching, watering, deadheading, pruning, and pest control. The incumbent will frequently interact with the public while working in the gardens and conduct educational programs in areas of expertise. The position will supervise part-time gardeners, interns, and volunteers.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Research cultural and germination requirements of plant materials and maintains up-to-date knowledge of plant ecology and soil science;
• Produces through various propagation techniques, annual, perennial, and woody plant materials in staggered plantings to fit transplanting and blooming schedules and make maximum use of greenhouse space;
• Coordinates greenhouse “population” based on anticipated maturation, scheduled events, and transplanting schedules;
• Performs routine maintenance and minor repair to equipment and greenhouse;
• Complies with state and local laws regulating a licensed Pest Controller in the application of pesticides including keeping detailed records.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Greenhouse or nursery operation;
• Horticultural characteristics of plant materials;
• Propagation techniques;
• Soil characteristics and plant requirements;
• Pest control techniques and regulations.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to:
High school graduation or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus, three years of progressively responsible experience in greenhouse, nursery work, technical horticultural work and/or the propagation of plant materials;
An associate degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Biology, or related degree may be substituted for two years of the experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least two years’ experience designing, planting, and maintaining gardens.
• A minimum of one year of supervisory experience, including work with volunteers.
• A strong knowledge of plants native to mid-Atlantic region.
• Familiarity with botanical and common names of a wide range of plants.
• Some public speaking experience or experience doing educational presentations
• Experience using Excel to keep plant records

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver’s License (Required)
• Pesticide applicator certification – Required within 6 months

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, child protective services registry check, and driver’s record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to navigate varied terrain such as park trails and grounds. Ability to be able to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, type on a keyboard. Ability to spend extended periods of time standing, walking, and ability to traverse rough and uneven terrain to inspect remote park areas. Ability to work in varying weather conditions. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY