Ornamental Horticultural Assistant (extension services)

Salary: $16.50 - $29.72

Job Overview

Provides advice and guidance to the public on home horticulture.

Core Competencies

• Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service.
• Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.
• Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.
• Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Delivers educational horticulture program information to residential clients and other audiences through workshops, classes, demonstrations, exhibits, presentations, and other forms of public engagement.
• Compiles and copies information for distribution to clients.
• Prepares educational content for presentation to the public via social media, video, publications, flyers, and pamphlets.
• May perform site visits on job related matters.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of composting and vermicomposting practices.
• Knowledge of micro irrigation system operations.
• Knowledge of community gardens.
• Knowledge of growing flowers, fruits, vegetables, and shrubs.
• Knowledge of plant identification, problems, and insects.
• Knowledge of the functions, services, procedures and regulations of the unit or department to which assigned.
• Knowledge of the laws and regulations governing insecticide use.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various audiences both orally and in writing.
• Ability to organize information into a logical presentation format.

Physical Requirements

• Work will be performed in office, outdoors, and at off-site locations.
• Kneeling and standing for extended periods.
• May be required to work outdoors in a subtropical climate and under adverse weather conditions.

Work Category

Medium Work- Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; AND
• Two years of experience working in a greenhouse, nursery or other horticulture work or enterprise; OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above.

Emergency Management Responsibilities

In the event of an emergency or disaster, an employee may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee’s department, the County’s Office of Emergency Management, or County Administration. Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.