Natural Areas Horticulturalist (11423, Grade 16)

Description

The M-NCPPC, Montgomery Parks, Maryland seeks a skilled Natural Areas Horticulturalist as part of the Natural Resources Stewardship Section in the Park Planning and Stewardship Division. The incumbent will focus on care and maintenance of Commission parks, to care for and amend growing conditions for native plants within forest and meadow management units having specific objectives and occasional wildlife food plots and community support projects. The incumbent will report to the department’s Vegetation Ecology & Management Unit Leader and will be a part of a small group of specialists with this focus, working both as a group and independently, depending upon safe and standard operating procedures.

The office site is located at 12535 Milestone Manor Lane, Germantown. The Natural Areas Horticulturalist will require the willingness and ability to learn, within 6 months, use of tractor and/or front-end loader with implements, skid steer with and without implements, and truck and trailer combinations. A CDL may be required for the job, with the Commission providing for on-the-job training, if necessary. A State Pesticide Applicators License is a requirement and must be achieved within 12 months of employment. Additional equipment use will include various hand tools (e.g., clippers, loppers, weed wrench, etc.), power equipment (e.g., string trimmer, chainsaw, brush cutting mowers), pressurized spray equipment, and other more common tools.

In addition, this person will participate as a core member of the department’s annual prescribed burn team, applying controlled fire to natural area habitat to restore and enhance growing conditions of desired plant communities, receiving both formal and on-the-job training throughout, and working towards certifications.

If this fits with your skillset and interests, you have the willingness and ability to learn, are hardworking and are a hands-on person who enjoys working outside in nature, please consider applying.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery Parks system is a career staff complement of over 800 employees, 417 parks and more than 37,000 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC metro area.

Go to our website to learn more: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/

Very competitive and flexible benefits programs available!

Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Examples of Important Duties

• Non-native, invasive plant management, and restoration of these sites following abatement, as well as meadow establishment and maintenance
• Park Planning and Stewardship Natural Areas Horticulturalist
• Identify native and non-native plants of the Mid-Atlantic and especially the Piedmont physiographic region, soil characteristics and growing conditions
• Recognize the signs of unhealthy plants: Utilize departmental Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Best Management Practices, and policy to ensure both naturally growing and cultivated plantings
• Calculate ratio and application rates and calibrate equipment, test growing conditions apply correct plantings
• Prepare suitable planting site, plant, stake, and mulch, weed, water, as necessary
• Inspect naturally occurring and cultivated plantings for signs of insect or disease impacts and other stressors
• Select plant stock for projects, in coordination with the department’s nursery staff
• May transplant native plants for preservation or restocking
• Often guide, set pace, and work alongside staff, lower in position, engaged in similar efforts
• Cook with other administrative and operating divisions in the department to advance the priorities of the Parks Department and deliver exceptional parks for our residents
• Meet with citizens, community groups, Planning Board, County Council, and representatives to advance the Department’s work and advocacy efforts
• Keep record of work accomplished, chemical application, chemical storage compliance, and chemical inventory
• Promote recommendations for purchase of tools and materials in support of the work

Preferred Qualifications

• Maryland Certified Pesticide Applicators License

Classification Specification

• Senior Horticulturalist Support Technician

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification

Senior Horticulturalist Support Technician

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.