Gardener

About the role

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. The Gardener will provide maintenance of landscapes surrounding City Light properties and Service Centers, reporting to the Landscapes Supervisor in the Powerline Clearance and Landscapes unit within the Transmission and Distribution Operations Division. This position will report out of either the North or South Service Centers.

The Powerline Clearance and Landscapes Unit is responsible for the management of vegetation in and around City Light assets to ensure public safety and reliable power distribution. The Landscapes Maintenance group maintains planted landscapes and turf at 12 active substations and 60+ other properties owned by the Utility, as well as controlling undesirable vegetation in substation interiors.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Landscapes Supervisor in the planning and execution of maintenance regimes at various sites.
• Control of undesirable plants inside substations.
• Troubleshoot and make repairs to irrigation systems, lines, and timers.
• Troubleshoot and make minor field-repairs to power tools and mowing equipment.
• Restore private and public property impacted by other City Light work groups.
• Maintain existing landscapes at various sites by weeding, pruning, mulching, applying herbicides, removing litter, planting/transplanting plant material, fertilizing, edging, and mowing lawns.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years work experience in landscape construction or maintenance, or in the propagation and maintenance of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees at a conservatory, greenhouse, or nursery. Combinations of education, training, and experience will be evaluated for comparability.
• Washington Public Pesticide operator's license is required after appointment.
• Current Washington State driver's license or valid driver’s license from any US state (must obtain WA state license within 30 days of hire if out-of-state).

Work Environment / Physical Demands

• Required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• Required to lift objects that weigh 50 pounds or less.
• Handles or works with toxic/hazardous substances.
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.
• Required to work in areas of high vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in landscape design, renovation, and construction.
• Understanding of and experience with irrigation systems, including basic repairs.
• Understanding of IPM (Integrated Pest Management).
• Basic computer skills (Windows Office suite).
• Prior horticultural education from classes, trainings, or seminars.
• Experience with hand tools and small power equipment such as mowers, edgers, string trimmers, blowers, aerators, and rototillers.

Emergency Response Commitment

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through the Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations. Participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve the community when it matters most.

Pay

The full salary range for this position is $34.32 to $37.06 per hour.

Benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information is available on the City's website.