Gardener

Gardener Position

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. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Seattle City Light is seeking to hire a skilled Gardener to provide maintenance of landscapes surrounding City Light properties and Service Centers. This position will report to the Landscapes Supervisor in the Powerline Clearance and Landscapes unit within the Transmission and Distribution Operations Division. The Gardener position will report out of either the North or South Service Centers.

This position, under general supervision, will perform skilled gardening and landscaping capabilities such as identifying symptoms and methods of control of plant diseases and insect pests. This role will also make recommendations on and implements the type of landscape maintenance needed for a given site. Work requires knowledge of standard methods, materials, procedures, tools, and equipment associated with landscaping and gardening.

Job Responsibilities

The Powerline Clearance and Landscapes Unit at Seattle City Light is responsible for the management of vegetation in and around City Light assets (properties, electrical equipment, overhead lines, etc.) to ensure public safety and reliable power distribution. The unit is made up of four groups: Transmission ROW Maintenance, Distribution Power Line Clearance, Urban Forestry and Landscapes Maintenance. For the Landscapes Maintenance group, this includes the maintenance of planted landscapes and turf at 12 active substations as well as 60+ other properties owned and maintained by the Utility, and the control of undesirable vegetation in substation interiors. Regular maintenance duties include, but are not limited to:

• 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/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
• Control weeds and maintain existing landscapes at various sites by weeding, pruning, mulching, applying herbicides, removing litter, planting/transplanting plant material, fertilizing/edging/mowing lawns and most other aspects of landscape maintenance

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

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 on an individual basis for comparability).

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.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Washington Public Pesticide operator's license is required after appointment.
• Current Washington State driver's license. You must hold a current valid state issued driver's license from any US state to be verified prior to start date. Out of state license holders will be required to obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.

Desired Qualifications You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

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

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Emergency Response Commitment:

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

Additional Information

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

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3 (Download PDF reader). A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

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 about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov.