POSITION GOAL:  To provide a clean, safe, and natural park experience for visitors by performing a variety of basic garden maintenance/plant care tasks in assigned areas.

CLASSIFICATION: Hourly, Seasonal

COMPENSATION:  $12.00/hr.  Employer and employee contribute to Public Employee Retirement System.

MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Alternates to the following position requirements may be made as Metroparks finds appropriate and acceptable. 

Education:  High School diploma or equivalent. Some training or coursework in horticulture, botany or other related field.

Experience:  Some work experience with hands on landscaping or horticulture.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• General knowledge of plant identification and garden maintenance.

·         Willingness to operate basic landscape tools and equipment once given proper training.

·         Willingness to learn proper plant cultural practices (watering, planting, and similar)

• Ability to communicate well with others.
• Able to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions.
• Willingness to support Metroparks mission, operating principles, goals and objectives.
• Ability to get along well with others and work as a part of a team.
• Basic knowledge of operating computer equipment and utilizing e-mail communication preferred.

Behavioral Characteristics

·         Always treats people with respect and consideration without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, social or economic status, etc.

·         Exhibits appropriate maturity and professional behavior.

·         Exhibits high levels of integrity, honesty, responsibility and trustworthiness.

·         Ability to be flexible in a changing work environment.

·         Ability to maintain effective working relationships, work effectively as a part of a team and support a positive, supportive, friendly work environment.

·         Willingness to learn and put to use new skills and knowledge.

·         Commitment to fulfilling work responsibilities and assignments in a reliable and timely manner.

·         Dependable with a high degree of integrity.

·         Able to work effectively with minimal supervision.

·         Commitment to providing excellent customer service.

·         Abide by the Metroparks Way

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Work location: May be assigned to any metropark; may travel to any metropark  

• Will work on a variable schedule to meet project needs; schedule may include weekends, holidays and evenings. 
• May include business use of personal vehicle; mileage reimbursement provided.
• Job requires working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions including heat and cold.
• Requires frequent bending and stooping occasional moderate lifting up to 35lb.
• Must be able to move about over uneven ground; use hands for holding and grasping objects.

REPORTS TO:   Park Services Supervisor or Park Services Crew Lead

DIRECT REPORTS:   None

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform basic garden maintenance/plant care including planting, pruning, weeding, watering, deadheading, applying mulch, amending soil, chemical applications, eradicating invasive species.
• Assist the horticulture staff with plant record keeping, plant labeling and greenhouse production.

·         Assist with general horticulture maintenance, floriculture, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and similar disciplines.

• Properly use and care for tools and equipment.
• Perform various cleaning and maintenance duties including cleaning restrooms, picking up litter and trash removal.
• Safely drive park vehicles between work assignments on park trails and roadways; exhibit proper regard for avoiding damage to vehicles and resources.
• Comply with all safety rules and regulations.
• Set up and clean up for special events.
• Suggest improvements for work processes and procedures.
• Attend trainings, meetings, and workshops to learn new skills and keep up to date on Metropark communication.

• Help horticulture staff coordinate work activities for volunteers and other groups.
• Interact with visitors and answer basic questions in a helpful and courteous manner.
• Maintain proper work appearance.
• Use MS Outlook to send and receive email communication
• Other Park District duties as assigned.

EQUIPMENT USED:  Irrigation equipment, greenhouse equipment, high and low volume chemical dispensing systems, park vehicles, power tools, all-terrain vehicles, and other outdoor equipment.  Computers, audio-visual equipment, and cameras.

Metroparks Toledo is an Equal Opportunity Employer