Horticultural Technician 2

Job Description:

Horticultural Technician 2

Description

Minimum Qualifications

Permanent Appointment via List or Transfer:
To be considered for permanent appointment, candidates must be reachable on the current Civil Service eligible list or be eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.

Note: Consecutive transfers resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades are not permitted under Civil Service Law.

Permanent Appointment via Non-Competitive Promotion:
If three or fewer qualified New York State OPRHP Horticultural Technician 1 candidates respond to this notice, the agency may, at its discretion, nominate a qualified employee for a permanent non-competitive promotion under the provisions of Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law.

Permanent Non-Competitive Appointmetn via NY HELPS:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).***

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

Either 1. Four years of technical experience in horticulture, plant propagation, nursery, or greenhouse work*, which includes plant pest and disease detection and control. This experience must include one year of supervisory experience;

Or 2. An associate's or higher-level degree and two years of technical experience in horticulture, plant propagation, nursery, or greenhouse work*, which includes plant pest and disease detection and control;

Or 3. A bachelor's or higher-level degree in horticulture, agronomy, forestry, or an agricultural related field;

***For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Provisional Appointment:
Candidates may be appointed on a provisional* basis by meeting the following open competitive minimum qualifications:

Either 1. Four years of technical experience in horticulture, plant propagation, nursery, or greenhouse work*, which includes plant pest and disease detection and control. This experience must include one year of supervisory experience;

Or 2. An associate's or higher-level degree and two years of technical experience in horticulture, plant propagation, nursery, or greenhouse work*, which includes plant pest and disease detection and control;

Or 3. A bachelor's or higher-level degree in horticulture, agronomy, forestry, or an agricultural related field;

Or 4. A current qualified employee of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation with one year of permanent non-competitive service as a Horticultural Technician 1, SG-8.

*NOTE: Individuals appointed provisionally must take and pass a Civil Service examination for this position and be reachable; i.e., be one of the top three (3) candidates on the resulting eligible list willing to accept the position. Candidates who do not pass the examination or who do not achieve a reachable score may not be retained.

Duties Description

Under the supervision of the Physical Plant Manager and/or higher-level personnel, the position is located at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park but also assists other state parks in the New York City Region. The Horticultural Technician 2 will work closely with volunteers, the community, and vendors to assure the Agency’s mission is always met, and will perform the following duties:
• Provide general horticultural services to the Park.
• Supervise, train, and schedule skilled and semi-skilled employees and volunteers.
• Prepare sketches and schematics for seasonal / full time staff and grounds staff to plant and construct gardens.
• Experiment with a wide variety of plants to determine those most suitable for a site or region.
• Determine regional planting needs, develop propagation schedules, order materials, and supervise propagation of plants, trees, and shrubs for a region or major site.
• Develop and implement integrated pest management systems.
• Advise maintenance and grounds staff regarding plant and grounds care and maintenance.
• Supervise and maintain greenhouses and related equipment.
• Directs the maintenance and care of gardens or programs and structures as needed.
• Operates and maintains hand and portable power tools and motorized equipment such as mowers, tractors, sprayers, saws, tillers, trimmers, etc.
• Supervises lower level, seasonal staff and volunteers in the care of plant material.
• Provides for materials and supplies in support of this work.
• Assists with training and support of seasonal gardeners and interns.
• Answers questions for park visitors about horticulture, history and design, and general park information.
• Leads horticultural tours and assists with special programs, as needed.
• Operates light trucks and other motor vehicles as required in the performance of duties.
• May be required to load and unload materials, tools and equipment of varying weights and sizes as needed in the performance of duties assigned.
• Performs routine manual maintenance tasks required to develop, maintain and repair associated plantings, buildings, roads and equipment.
• Maintains equipment and supplies properly and ensures that they are stored safely.
• Performs snow and ice control measures and maintains grounds and structures as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Additional Comments

OPERATING NEEDS:
• Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License to operate a vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Selected candidate must obtain a PESTICIDE APPLICATOR'S LICENSE (category 3A) within 6 months of appointment and maintain it as a term and condition of employment.
• Employee must be qualified and medically cleared to wear a respirator and have knowledge of good safety practices, which must be utilized.
• Selected candidate must be capable of and willing to learn to competently operate specialized grounds care equipment assigned to the facility such as aerator, power rake, sod cutter and over-seeder.
• Selected candidate must complete CPR/AED training within the probationary period and must maintain the certification as a term and condition of employment.
• Incumbent is required to take and pass chainsaw certification - levels 1, 2, 3 when training is given as a term and condition of employment
• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical labor and to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Ability to operate and use lawn/garden equipment and small hand tools safely and effectively
• Preference will be given to individuals with progressive experience in the care of trees & shrubs, and who are able perform such work with little direct supervision.
• Willingness and ability to support projects and operating needs at additional parks throughout the New York City Region Daytime, weekend, holiday, and evening work is required.

DOWNSTATE ADJUSTMENT: $3,400

BENEFITS:
Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:
Paid Time Off
• PEF: 44 days - 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays
• Three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development

Health Care Benefits:
• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost

Additional Benefits:
• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental / Family Leave

To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Closing Date/Time: 11/18/24

Salary:

From $46648 to $59757 Annually