LANDSCAPE DESIGN TECHNICIAN

Landscape Technician

This position performs professional and supervisory work in developing, implementing and maintaining landscape projects on City right-of-ways; creates all designs for landscape color displays and projects; supervises the work of horticulture maintenance crews; and performs related work as required. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision. The work is considered light-to-medium in nature and involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking. Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, toxic/caustic chemicals; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, coordinates and supervises City landscaping projects on City right-of-ways;
• Supervises crew members engaged in landscaping activities; supervisory duties include instructing; assigning, reviewing and planning work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; assisting with the selection of new employees; acting on employee problems; allocating personnel; and recommending employee discipline and discharge;
• Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers training, advice and assistance as needed;
• Uses industry software such as AutoCAD, VectorWorks, etc. to design all landscaping plans for new projects and project renovations;
• Designs all seasonal color displays;
• Develops project specifications and cost estimates;
• Obtains all necessary encroachment permits;
• Assists in securing and administering grants for project funding;
• Plans, organizes, supervises and participates in soil preparation, planting and plant maintenance; monitors plant and soil health and initiates corrective action as needed;
• Monitors irrigation needs; makes technical recommendations as appropriate;
• Ensures the availability of necessary equipment, tools, supplies and materials for crew members; orders and maintains inventory of supplies;
• Supervises the proper maintenance of assigned tools and equipment;
• Operates various landscaping tools and equipment as necessary in installation, maintenance and clean-up efforts;
• Responds to emergency calls and corrects problems independently or with the assistance of crew members;
• Prepares accurate and up-to-date records of work completed;
• Ensures all work is performed in compliance with applicable policies and procedures, laws and regulations, and standards of quality and safety;
• Maintains a record of all pesticides used in order to be compliant with state law;
• Serves in community organizations as an advisory board member, including Columbia Green and the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission;
• Educates the public about horticulture and Department activities through special events, public appearances and the preparation and dissemination of newsletter articles;
• Assists in coordinating department activities and functions with those of other City divisions, departments, County personnel, engineers and development professionals, community / professional / civic groups and outside agencies as appropriate;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Associate's degree in horticulture, landscape design or closely related field;
• Two (2) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class "D" Driver's License;
• Pesticide Applicator Certification, preferred;
• Experience working with AutoCAD, VectorWorks, or other landscape design drawing tools/software, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions; or measurements, logarithmic or geometric construction. May use algebraic solutions of equations and inequalities; descriptive statistics; deductive geometry, plane and solid, and rectangular coordinates; mathematical classifications or schemes;
• Ability to plan or direct others in the sequence of major activities and reporting on operations and activities which are very broad in scope;
• Ability to supervise or lead others by determining work procedures, assigning duties, maintaining harmonious relations and promoting efficiency;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring moderate instruction and experience, such as computers, landscape equipment, power tools;
• Ability to perform supervisory work involving policy and guidelines, solving both people- and work-related problems;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to take action of others, requiring almost constant decisions affecting co-workers, customers, or others in the general public; works in a moderately fluid environment with guidelines and rules, but frequent variations from the routine.