Job Description

All positions require that the applicant be a resident of Wyandotte county or willing to relocate within (12) months from the date of hire. As a condition of employment all employees must pass a post offer physical examination and drug screen. And submit proof of identity and employment eligibility.

Do you take pride in designing, developing, and maintaining beautiful and functional landscapes?

Do you enjoy leading and mentoring a team to achieve high standards in landscaping and maintenance?

Are you passionate about combining creativity and technical expertise to enhance and maintain public landscapes?

Do you thrive in a role that balances hands-on landscaping with coordinating complex projects and managing records?

Why you should apply to be a part of the Unified Government of WYCO/KCK Parks and Recreation Department as a Horticulturist III:

Join a team dedicated to enhancing and maintaining vibrant community spaces. As a Horticulturist III, you will play an integral role in shaping our parks and recreational areas, creating places where people can connect with nature and enjoy well-maintained landscapes. The position offers the opportunity to work outdoors, utilize your landscaping skills, and contribute to community pride. We value team members who are motivated, detail-oriented, and committed to maintaining high-quality public spaces. If you are a motivated individual who enjoys hands-on work and wants to be part of a great team, consider applying for the Horticulturist III position and put your skills to work.

Rationale for Proposed Classification:

This position ensures our community spaces are maintained to high standards, contributing to both aesthetic value and environmental health. With the increasing demand for enhanced landscaping and tree care services, a skilled Horticulturist III is essential to meeting these needs.

of the Position:

The Horticulturist III position is responsible for managing complex horticultural tasks, coordinating landscaping projects, and leading a team of horticulture staff. This role includes supervising and training personnel, designing landscapes, and maintaining public spaces to the highest standards.

General Overview of Responsibilities:

• Operates hand and power tools associated with landscaping.

• Operates turf aerating and other landscaping equipment.

• Plants, waters, fertilizes, mulches, and maintains shrubs, flowers, trees, and turf.

• Coordinate, calibrate, mix and apply herbicides and pesticides to landscape areas and keep accurate records

• Installs, prunes, trims, and removes shrubs, trees, and stumps.

• Assist with the design, installation, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems as required

• Supervise and train horticulture I and II, and seasonal landscape maintenance personnel

• Clean, service, perform minor repairs on assigned tools, equipment, and machinery

• Assist in the design, development and maintenance of landscaped planting of trees flowers and other plant materials.

• Operate or drive a variety of specialized equipment utilized in assigned projects including, but not limited to loaders, tractors, lawn mowers, and power and hand tools

• Complete and maintain records of time, materials and equipment usage

• Removes trash and debris from work areas.

• Assists with snow removal as needed.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge:

• Thorough understanding of landscaping and plant care including modern and complex principles and practices of horticulture, arboriculture, landscaping and hardscape construction.

• Operations, services, and activities of a municipal landscape design and maintenance program.

• Design, drafting methods and techniques

• Up to date on best practices for using herbicides and pesticides.

• Operation, maintenance, and safety of landscaping tools equipment.

• Maintenance, operating procedure, and repair of irrigation systems.

• Awareness of occupational hazards and standard safety precautions related to assigned areas.

Skills:

• Safely operate landscaping tools and machinery.

• Applies proper techniques for the safe and accurate application of chemicals.

• Strong attention to detail in landscaping and maintenance tasks.

• Coordinate the maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment with Fleet and/or contract vendors.

• Effective communication and teamwork in a diverse work environment.

• Plan and organize maintenance schedule for landscaped areas, landscape materials and equipment.

• Read and interpret maps, create and read blueprints and sketches using modern technologies

• Effectively handle a work environment with conditions that include field and office work, exposure to dirt and dust, loud noises and vibrations, temperature extremes

• Effectively deal with potential work hazards which may include exposure to pesticides and herbicides, machinery, traffic and other right-of-way hazards.

Qualifications:

Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent; Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions; Ability to perform manual labor tasks in outdoor settings and various weather conditions, including lifting, bending, pulling, and operating equipment; Experience with landscaping and/or turf maintenance equipment; Pesticide applicator license and hold certifications in 3A, 3B; Kansas Arborist Association or ISA certification; Must possess a Kansas Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B with air brakes or be able to obtain one within 6 months of the date of hire.Valid Kansas driver’s license and acceptable driving record per the Unified Government’s Human Resources Driver Safety, Accident Reporting, and Vehicle Use policy throughout employment with the Unified Government; Must be a resident of Wyandotte County or willing to relocate within 12 months from the date of hire; Must be able to pass a criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous experience in municipal or commercial landscaping; Pesticide applicator license and hold certifications in 5,9A.

Salary Range:

$26.68/hr.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce.

If you need to reach a member of the Human Resources staff, please contact the mainline (913) 573-5660 or email the staff member.

Company: Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS