Landscape Intern

About the role

The purpose of this position is to provide Planning & Development Services Department to assist the Urban Forester with community-wide urban forestry and landscape-related projects. This position works under close to general supervision of the Urban Forester, according to set procedures but determines how or when to complete tasks.

Responsibilities

• Inventory and assess trees for a range of community-wide plans and projects.
• Inspect trees and assess trees on individual properties for code-compliance with landscape regulations.
• Collaborate with other City departments on forestry/landscape-related issues and projects.
• Conduct research for forestry/landscape-related projects in other communities.
• Conduct research and assess landscaping and tree types.
• Aid in the development of an Urban Forestry plan for the City.
• Aid in the annual tree give-away program to residents, and educate them on the value of and maintenance of trees.
• Aid in community-wide Arbor Day and Earth Day projects.
• Interact and communicate with a variety of groups and individuals including supervisors, City personnel, consultants, review boards and the public on forestry related projects and topics.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Current student in Forestry, Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Arborist Landscape Design or related field or relevant work experience in landscape.
• Prioritized Qualifications and Experience: Familiarity with mappings and design software such as GIS and/or Auto CADD; familiarity with GIS and its use in landscape related applications; familiarity with landscape horticulture as it relates to the maintenance and care of plant species of south Florida, especially Florida Friendly species; coursework in urban forestry, landscape architecture or urban horticulture.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Work Environment and Work Hours

• Knowledge: Knowledge of landscape plant species of South Florida; knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Photoshop; skill in prioritizing work assignments; skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Physical Demands: Performs light to medium work that involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy.
• Work Environment: Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.
• Work Hours: Must be able to work up to 25 hours per week. (May be required to work nights, weekends and holidays to meet the business needs of the City.)

Benefits

• Holiday Leave: Twelve (12) days shall be the days observed by all City employees as holidays and the one (1) personal leave day shall be taken at the employee’s discretion with permission of the Department Director or their designee (once each calendar year).
• Vacation Leave: Employees start to accrue vacation leave effective at the start of the first full month of employment based on the following schedule.
• Sick Leave: Employees start to accrue sick leave effective at the start of the first full month of employment. Employees sick days shall be credited at the rate of eight (8) hours or one (1) working day for each month of completed service.
• Retirement Plan: The City provides a defined contribution plan under Section 401(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The City contributes eight percent (8%) of your salary as an employee, and you as an employee contribute four percent (4%) of your salary. The City has a 5-year Vesting Schedule.
• Discount Programs: The City offers a variety of discount programs. The following are some areas for available discounts: Tickets at Work, Government Car Rental, Tri-Rail EDP Discount, and etc.
• Wellness Programs: Employees on the City's medical plan may participate in the City’s Wellness Program to help offset the cost of their medical premiums. For new hires, points toward the Wellness Program can be accumulated starting from your date of hire through the last day of the year. Existing employees may begin participating in the program at any time.

Contact Information

Address: 150 NE 2nd Avenue
Dearfield Beach, Florida, 33441
Website: http://www.deerfield-beach.com