Senior Maintenance Worker - Horticulture

The Senior Maintenance Worker is responsible for leading a team of maintenance workers within the horticulture department at the direction of the horticulture supervisor. This role provides direction and hands-on assistance with horticultural tasks, ensuring high-quality work is completed on time and in compliance with safety and environmental standards. The successful candidate should have substantial knowledge of the propagation, pruning, watering and maintenance needs of trees, shrubs, and flowers to ensure the proper care and upkeep of landscaped areas, including parks, gardens, roadways and other green spaces.

This is a non-exempt position with a minimum pay rate of $20.00 hourly, dependent on experience and qualifications. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, eight hours daily, but may require evening or weekend work.

The Town offers excellent benefits to include automatic enrollment in the Virginia Retirement System; 457 Deferred Compensation with pretax or Roth options; health, vision, dental, wellness, and employee assistance benefits; generous paid time off; 14 paid holidays; disability, life, and supplemental insurances; and tuition assistance. The Town of Front Royal is an equal opportunity employer.

• Perform a variety of skilled and semiskilled manual labor tasks in the maintenance and repair of public areas, parks, rights of way and public facility grounds; includes a variety of landscape maintenance projects, tree, shrub and flower plantings, and landscape construction and repair projects
• Lead crew in daily operations; perform and supervise a variety of horticultural tasks such as planting, pruning, mulching, weeding, fertilizing, mowing, brush chipping, brush clearance from roadsides and overhead tree clearance
• May perform the watering duties for hanging baskets, planting beds, newly planted trees
• Inspect and clean high visibility areas for ground trash and debris; collect ground trash in all areas before mowing
• Enforce safety guidelines and best practices to prevent injuries and accidents; ensure that team members use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safe work practices
• Operate dump trucks, mowers, chain saws, pumps, mixers, trimmers, tractors, and similar equipment; operate bucket truck for tree trimming and removal
• Assist with troubleshooting equipment maintenance and repair
• Monitor supplies and materials needed for horticultural tasks, such as plants, fertilizers, and tools; assist with ordering supplies and maintaining inventory records
• Help plan seasonal planting and maintenance schedules to accommodate climate changes and growth cycles
• Troubleshoot any issues related to plant health, irrigation systems, or team performance and provide solutions as needed
• Act as flagger when required
• Pick up and dispose of debris and dead animals from roadway
• Responsible for operations in the absence of the Horticulture Supervisor
• Assist with snow and ice removal
• Perform related tasks as required

Experience Required: Minimum three (3) years experience in the field of horticulture maintenance, such as mowing, pruning, mulching, planting, weeding and best cultural practices
Minimum Education Requirements:  High School Diploma/GED; further education in horticulture, landscape management, or a related field preferred
Certification/Special Skills:  Virginia Class B CDL (Commercial Drivers License) required within six (6) months of employment; ability to obtain CPR/First Aid Certification and Flagger Certification within three (3) months of employment; ability to become a Virginia Certified Pesticide Technician within one (1) year of employment and Virginia Certified Pesticide Applicator within two (2) years of employment (this Certification is acquired through study and test with VDACS and the employee will be given the materials and field training in-house)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of mowing equipment and landscape maintenance tools
• Strong knowledge of horticultural practices, including plant care, soil types, and pest management
• Substantial knowledge of proper planting techniques for trees, shrubs and flowers
• Substantial knowledge of cultivars and propagation; perennials and annual flowers
• Substantial knowledge of best cultural practices for mulching, watering, pruning of trees
• Safe driving practices and clean driving record
• Basic knowledge of safety regulations and procedures in horticultural settings
• Ability to effectively lead a crew of 3-8 team members
• Experience in the operation and maintenance of a variety of mowing equipment, chain saws, power pole saws, tillers, aerators, material spreaders, tractors and implements
• Ability to perform programmed maintenance to prevent equipment breakdown
• Operation of specialized equipment necessary for the completion of tasks including bucket truck and rubber tire loader
• Ability to prioritize and complete tasks in a timely manner
• Ability to understand and follow specific oral instructions
• Physical ability to perform manual labor for extended periods of time, lift heavy objects, and work extended hours if necessary
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates
• Ability to determine a list of tasks and duties in the absence of Horticulture Supervisor

Work Environment

• The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions, extreme heat and cold, noise, insects, traffic hazards. 
• Possible exposure to pesticides including herbicides, insecticides, miticides and cleaning chemicals. 
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required (such as gloves, goggles, steel-toed boots, etc.).

Physical Demands

• This is medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds force occasionally, up to 25 pounds force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly. 
• Some heavy work requiring up to 100 pounds of force occasionally.
• Work requires walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, kneeling, standing, crouching and stooping. 
• Vocal communication is required for exchanging ideas and receiving orders, hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. 
• Visual acuity is required for operation of machinery and motor vehicles and to determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work. 

Salary : $20