Landscape Specialist

Salary : $43,388.80 - $52,270.40 Annually
Location : Charlottesville, VA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: View phone number on click.appcast.io
Department: Parks and Recreation
Division: Parks Division
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: Labor and Trades


General Summary
The P&R Landscape Specialist position performs responsible routine landscaping and horticultural duties in city parks, downtown mall, schools, rights-of-way and public facilities to enhance overall appearance, safety, sanitation, and ecological integrity of urban landscape. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Landscape Supervisor.

The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $20.86 - $25.13 an hour ($43,388.80 - $52,270.40 annually), in accordance with the Labor & Trades Collective Bargaining Agreement.


This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan:
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.

Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Waters annuals and newly established perennial/shrub beds; mulches beds; installs, designs, sources, and fertilizes annuals, annuals beds/pots, and new plantings.
• Prunes, maintains, and performs selective removal of small trees and shrubs, and low-hanging branches of taller trees to improve plant health, form, and public safety; Hedge trimming.
• Performs seasonal seedlings and other greenhouse propagation. Uses proper propagation and plant transplanting procedures to adjust beds as needed.
• Maintains rain gardens according to industry ecological standards.
• Assesses shrubs, perennials, and annuals for health such as nutrient deficiency, maladaptive growth patterns, disease, infestation, or mechanical damage); provides recommendations to supervisors based on observations and knowledge.
• Manages weeds by hand weeding and using string trimmers and herbicides. Identifies, removes, and otherwise manages invasive species, such as poison ivy.
• Clears, collects, and disposes of leaves, plant debris, weeds, garbage and other debris found in beds, hardscaped areas, parking lots, splash pads, and/or pool areas.
• Mows or cuts back perennials, grasses, and meadows and liriope in medians, as needed.
• Receives, organizes, and orders plant inventory and/or supplies; ensuring appropriate documentation and procedures are followed. Tracks applicable inventory and supplies and reports related needs to supervisor.
• Operates vehicle and heavy equipment safely to move and remove supplies and debris, including dump trucks, bob cat, backhoe, mulch blower, etc., and ensures proper care in the use and upkeep of assigned equipment.
• Safely and responsibly uses pesticides as per labeling and VDACS policies; monitors site conditions to determine, evaluate, and mitigate risks to environment and public, and maximize efficacy of chemical use.
• Responsible for the storage, application, disposal, and recordkeeping of hazardous materials, including pesticides, fertilizers, and biohazards found at worksites.
• Completes work according to maintenance standards and checklists and reports issues in park facilities and grounds to ensure proper operations and/or adherence of safety regulations and implements corrective measures.
• Responds to applicable work orders or requests from the public and staff; interacts effectively and professionally.
• In anticipation of or during snow event, adjusts schedule to provide preventative treatment and snow removal to sidewalks and paths on school routes.
• May be required to work weekends, nights, holidays or to be called back to work in weather or non-weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High School diploma or GED AND at least 1 year of experience in landscaping, horticulture, and groundskeeping.

OR

• 3 or more years of experience in landscaping, horticulture, and groundskeeping.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Obtain VDOT Flagger Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Obtain Registered Technician Pesticide License with 12 months of hire.
• Must obtain and maintain a Virginia driver's license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, physical, and drug screen.

Preferred:

• Supplemental college level or technical/vocational course work in landscaping and/or horticulture.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
Job Knowledge

• General knowledge of plant diseases and insects and of the chemicals and methods used in their control.
• General knowledge of the tools, materials, principles, practices, and equipment used in horticulture.
• Knowledge of the maintenance, repair, and use of common hand and specialized power tools required in the work.
• Thorough knowledge of the safe use and operation of the mechanical equipment required in the work, and occupational hazards and safety requirements of the trade.

Reading

• Intermediate: ability to read, understand, and interpret written materials such as multi-step instruction manuals, drawings/plans, work orders, signs, notices, newspapers, magazines, journals, and reference materials.

Writing

• Intermediate: ability to organize data and write reports, prepare materials such as business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math

• Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Communication Skills

• Basic: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, city staff, and the public. Examples include providing simple information to others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures or general policies. Contact may require the consideration of different points of view to reach understanding and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Skill in Word, Excel and/or departmental software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities. May purchase applicable inventory and supplies as directed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory duties. May occasionally guide volunteers, seasonal employees, or others.

Other Characteristics

• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Performs duties under sometimes strict time constraints.
• Balances multiple tasks.
• Subject to weather and non-weather emergency response, call backs, and standby call with minimum response time requirements.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• May require a non-traditional schedule and flexible schedule including evenings and weekends and/or additional hours outside normal schedule.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to perform manual labor including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, handling, grasping, feeling, standing for sustained periods of time, and moving about parks and construction sites.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of manual and mechanical equipment used in landscape and horticultural activities, and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed outside where there may be exposure to vibrations, moving mechanical parts, outdoor weather conditions, chemicals/hazardous waste, blood-borne pathogens, electrical hazards, inadequate lighting, in or around roadways/vehicles, uneven terrain, fumes/airborne particles and fuels.
• The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat, safety vest, steel-toe shoes, etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.
• The noise level is usually loud.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.
Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or
The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.
SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Updated February 9, 2026


Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.
1. LEAVE:
Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:

Years Worked

0 - <3

3 - <5

5 - <10

10 - <15

15 - <20

20 - <25

25+

Hours Accrued Biweekly

3.09

3.85

4.62

5.4

6.16

6.93

7.7

Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.

Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS
New Years Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Presidents' Day

Liberation & Freedom Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

1 Floating Holiday

Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.

2. INSURANCE:
Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Choose from two options:
  
  
  1. Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)
  2. Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)
• Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)
• Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)

Delta Dental Plan:

• Diagnostic and Preventative-100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
• Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50
• $1,500 Annual benefit maximum
• $1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

MetLife Vision Plan: (Optional)

• $2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.
• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay
• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.

Long-Term Disability: Upon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.

Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short-Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection

3. RETIREMENT:
Pension:

• Choose from two (2) options:
  
  1. A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5-year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  2. A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. ( Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees ).

Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.

4. VOLUNTARY:
Wellness:

• Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)
• Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses
• Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program:

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

• Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.

01


Please indicate your level of experience in landscaping, horticulture, and groundskeeping below: (Must be verifiable in reference to the Work History section of your online application.)

• I have no experience related to landscaping, horticulture, and or groundskeeping.
• Less than one (1) year of experience.
• One (1) to less than three (3) years of experience.
• Three (3) years or greater.

02


Do you have at least a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes; I have a High School Diploma or Higher.
• Yes; I have a GED.
• I have an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirement.
• No.

03


This position requires driving to perform essential job duties and requires a valid driver's license. The candidate selected for this position must meet the driver eligibility requirements of the City and must provide a certified copy of their DMV driving record. Do you possess a valid driver's license and are you willing to provide a certified copy of your DMV driving record, if selected as a finalist, for the City to confirm your driving eligibility?

• Yes; I possess a valid driver's license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
• No; However, I am willing and able to obtain a valid driver's license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
• No; I do not have a valid driver's license, nor am I willing or able to obtain one, and/or am not willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.

04


To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.

• Yes
• No

05


I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question