This is a skilled and semi-skilled position that supervises and participates in the work of assigned grounds staff engaged in the maintenance and care of landscape and garden beds, street and park trees, parks, trails, grounds, and cemeteries. The work performed requires considerable knowledge and experience in arboriculture and landscape practices.

Major Job Duties

In coordination with the Grounds Supervisor and Turf Manager coordinates daily work assignments for grounds personnel; oversees the performance of job tasks; ensures compliance with safety principles and practices and with department and town policies and procedures.
Coordinates and implements arboriculture best practices, assists in the updating of the municipal tree inventory, prunes & removes tress both from the ground and bucket truck, makes recommendations of tree species & cultivars for planting, applies fertilizer and pesticides.
Design and care of municipal landscaped and garden beds, makes recommendations for both perennial and annual plantings with a focus on native pollinators.
Participates in the maintenance of town cemeteries; assists with the preparation of burial sites; places grave markers.
Is responsible for daily and routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment, including vehicles, commercial equipment, tractors, trailers, snowplows, and minor equipment.
Assists the Turf Manager in the completion of their duties on an as needed basis.
During snow/ice/wind weather events assists DPW with clean-up activities and restoration of services.
The work schedule for this position is routinely a standard work week but does include a flexible schedule to include weekend/evening hours and responding to weather events.
Ability to establish and maintain courteous effective working relationships with coworkers, volunteers, and the general public.
Coordinates & assists in the set up/take down of equipment for special events and municipal elections.
Supervises and participates in the collection and removal of trash, litter and debris.
Installs holiday lights and other decorations and banners.
Maintains division tools and equipment; performs pre- and post-trip inspections.
Trains, assigns, directs, schedules, supervises, evaluates grounds personnel.
Attends staff meetings and training workshops as needed.
Performs related work as required for the effective operation of the department.

Minimum Qualifications

The candidate for this position should have a High School diploma or equivalent.
Posses a minimum of 3 years’ experience performing commercial parks or landscaping duties, or tree care maintenance activities.
Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.
Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the work of subordinate positions to be able to answer questions and resolve problems.
Possession (or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire) of a New Hampshire Pesticide Operational Commercial Applicator (not for hire) License with categories B, & G1. Possession of (or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire) an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential.
Possession of (or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire) a valid driver’s license issued by the State of New Hampshire or Vermont for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

Knowledge and Skills Required

Knowledge of town policies and procedures, including personnel and purchasing procedures.
Ability to operate and maintain equipment including, but not limited to vehicles, bucket truck, commercial turf mowers, tractors, and chain saws.
Possess knowledge of arboriculture best practices to recognize and diagnose possible problems, such as tree disease, invasive species, and hazard tree assessment. Considerable knowledge and methods of commercial landscaping practices and plant care.
Considerable knowledge of use and care of motorized equipment and hand/power tools used in grounds maintenance.
Considerable knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to grounds keeping and maintenance work.
Detail oriented, with considerable attention to order and potential hazards in public landscapes and municipal trees.
Ability to lead, instruct, and train others in the work, including the operation and proper use of equipment.
Ability to follow oral instructions and read written instructions.
Ability to use hand tools, including electronic equipment, and operate motorized equipment and vehicles such as cars, commercial trucks, tractors and implements. Requires speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes issuing and receiving assignments, instructions, and/or directions.
Good interpersonal skills; the ability to deal effectively with the general public, children of various ages, as well as coworkers and other municipal employees.
The ability to complete several tasks in decentralized areas.
Physical ability to work long hours operating various pieces of equipment in adverse weather conditions.
The ability to recognize need for equipment repairs.
The ability to follow manufactures guidelines in working with materials in a safe manner.