Maintenance Worker - Horticulture and Forestry

The Horticulture and Forestry Maintenance Worker is a semi-skilled position and responsible for performing a variety of manual tasks relating to landscaping, grounds maintenance and tree care.

A Day in the Life:

• Assist in removing dead, broken, misshapen, and undesired branches of trees by using hand saws, power chain saws, and other tools using proper pruning techniques. Remove dead or hazardous trees utilizing safe felling techniques, advanced rigging, and other safe tree removal practices.
• Performs all work in compliance with ANSI and OSHA regulations and all other local, state and federal guidelines; understands the hazards associated with working with mature trees, power equipment and chemicals and uses safe work practices to reduce the likelihood of injury or property damage.
• Assists in tree planting activities and other tree care activities which may include but not limited to watering, pruning, fertilizing, weeding, mulching and pest control.
• Assist in operating forestry and horticulture related equipment such as: aerial lift truck, chipper, stump grinder, tree spade, backhoe, skid loader, spraying equipment, tractor, trucks, snowplow. Etc.
• Assist in landscape installation and follows landscape plans, cultivates the soil, and plants trees, shrubs, grasses, and hardscaping according to proper landscape practices.
• Tends to landscape beds throughout the City of Hutchinson. Performing routine maintenance such as weeding, mulching, watering, fertilization, pruning and transplanting of landscape plants per best management practices. Manages weed control within the landscape beds through mechanical or chemical means.
• Mowing of athletic fields, parks and other grounds; turf establishment; cuts and transplant sod and trees; assists with installation, troubleshooting and repairs of irrigation systems and the related components.
• Assist greenhouse maintenance and growing operations.Maintain a clean work environment, monitor greenhouse crops, plants, plugs and cutting for spring and fall annuals and perennial. Propagates landscape plants from cuttings, seed or division as needed for landscape plans. Plants and installs containers to be displayed throughout the city.

What You Will Need to be Successful:

• EDUCATION: A high school diploma or GED is required,
• EXPERIENCE: 2 years of forestry or horticulture experience.
• CERTIFICATION/LICENSE: A valid Kansas Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake endorsement is required within 45 days of hire date.

BENEFITS

• Group Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• KPERS Defined Benefit Retirement
• Insured Disability
• Death Benefit
• Life Insurance
• Service Connected Death
• Optional Voluntary Life Insurance
• 457 Retirement Savings Plan
• Medical Spending Account
• Dependent Care Spending Account
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave
• Employee Assistance Program