Salary: $29.64 – $34.00 Hourly
Location : Boca Raton, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 03295
Department: Recreation Services – Parks Operations
Division: Beautification – Row Maintenance 62/25238
Opening Date: 10/06/2023
Closing Date: 10/20/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N
Job Description
Do you want to be a part of the team that helps make the City of Boca Raton one of the best places to live, work and play? We provide world class services, parks, beaches, and public safety. This can only happen when the best, brightest, and most committed individuals come to work for our City. We encourage like-minded individuals to apply and be part of our team! Come join us #WorkforBoca
SCHEDULE
Monday – Friday
7:00 am – 3:30pm
*The salary range for this role is between $29.64- $34.00. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, operational needs, market demands and internal equity. The starting salary range is subject to review by Human Resources and may require City Manager approval.
Essential Functions
GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE JOB:
Performs advanced professional work overseeing the care and improvement of public grounds and beautification program medians, shrubs, trees and plants; does related work as required. Work is performed under general supervision performed under general supervision.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Supervises the planting, transplanting, fertilizing, trimming, spraying and general care of plants and trees in roadway medians, parks, and on City owned and maintained properties.
- Plans and manages advanced professional design activities for renovations of medians and city facilities
- Coordinates with and provides input to the purchasing division for the install and pruning contracts by developing and researching specifications, reviewing existing specifications for clarity, accuracy and necessary related information;
- Oversees monitoring of maintenance and tree pruning contracts on City roadway medians and parks
- Inspects all supplies delivered to ensure proper quality and condition; approves payment for same;
- Supervises the work of assigned crew and trains new employees in planting, spraying, pruning and propagation of plants; supervises maintenance contractor inspections;
- Makes tours to inspect and determine the condition of roadway medians and other areas of City park use to determine their need for horticulture maintenance, care and or replacement;
- Prepares beautification program maintenance budget forecast; budgets and monitors same.
- Responds to questions from the general public and coworkers concerning plant identifications, culture, plant selection, tree maintenance and other related questions;
- Participates in the maintenance of the Tree City designation by calculating expenditures for the annual renewal application and coordinating the location, supplies, and trees for the yearly Arbor Day celebration.
RELATED TASKS:
- Maintains records and prepares weekly and monthly reports; prepares work orders; estimates time requirements for projects; prepares requisitions for materials and supplies; tracks expenditures.
- Meets and confers with purchasing division and Recreation Services Department representatives regarding bid preparation and the evaluation and award of Requests for Proposal as related to the remove and install contract(s) and the pruning bids; checks vendor references;
- Reads and interprets civil engineering, master, and site plans as needed to assess impact to the Beautification Division and the ability to interact and make recommendations of approval conditions to minimize city cost related to private development;
- Coordinate with project planners, landscape architects, and construction personnel to ensure the relocation and/or mitigation of city-owned landscaping within the right-of-ways that will be impacted due to site (re)development.
- Seeks out new methods and practices to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Inspects major irrigation systems breaks and coordinates repairs in roadway medians;
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- General knowledge of forestry, landscaping, and horticulture as applied to medians, parks and grounds; general knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of landscaping, turf grass maintenance and tree pruning; general knowledge of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, mulches, trees, shrubs and other materials used in landscape work;
- Thorough knowledge of Florida native grass, flowers, shrubs and trees, their planting time and environmental requirements
- Thorough knowledge of various grades and qualities of plant materials, plants and trees; thorough knowledge of the tools, supplies and equipment used in tree and shrub planting and maintenance;
- Thorough knowledge of City, County and State roadway regulations; engineering plans, specifications and drawings; principles, practices and techniques of horticulture, landscaping and urban forestry; general knowledge of surveying techniques;
- Ability to read and interpret construction plans, land surveys, and specifications and to compare them with land features; thorough knowledge and/or the ability to easily navigate city roadways, parks and facilities;
- Ability to become proficient in Pictometry within a month of starting job; strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely;
- Thorough knowledge of standard office procedures, practices and equipment;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department employees, coworkers, vendors and the general public;
- Strong organizational abilities; ability to use judgment and initiative to complete work assignments with minimal supervision; and the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize work load.
- Familiarity with basic general construction principles and practices and with landscaping new construction sites.
Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- High School Diploma and any combination of post-secondary education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in biology, environmental science, urban/municipal forestry, horticulture, or related field.
- Minimum of three years’ experience in tree care including selection (native ecosystems, sustainable landscapes, and xeriscaping principles), hazard evaluation, relocation, irrigation principles, maintenance, and inspection.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in land management work
- Valid State of Florida Class “E” driver’s license
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, environmental science, urban/municipal forestry, horticulture or related field.
POST-OFFER BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS:
The background check process for this position may include:
- Criminal Background Check
- Employment Verification
- Reference Checks
- Motor Vehicles Report (MVR) Check
- Certification/License Verification
- Drug and Alcohol Screen
- Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
CERTIFICATIONS / PROFESSIONAL LICENSES:
- Designation as a Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture.
- Possession of a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS and FDEP in GI-BMP (Green Industries- best management practices).
- Ability to obtain a Florida Pesticide License, within one year of employment.
- Ability to obtain certification from the Landscape Inspectors Associations of Florida Inc. and become a Florida Certified Nursery Professional within one year of employment.
The City of Boca Raton is an Equal Opportunity, Inclusive, Veteran’s Preference Employer and Drug Free Workplace. It is the policy of the City of Boca Raton to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
BENEFITS SUMMARY
Full-Time Non-Bargaining Employees
ANNUAL LEAVE: Shall accrue prior to an employee attaining permanent status in the classified service, and may be used after six (6) months of employment at the sole discretion of the Department Head, but it shall not be paid out upon resignation or termination unless the employee has attained permanent status (one full year). The maximum accrual is 360 hours.
Year of Service Accrual 0 to 5 full years 8 hours per month 5 to 10 full years 10 hours per month 10 to 15 full years 12 hours per month 15 full years and over 14 hours per month
CASH OUT OF ANNUAL LEAVE: Employees who have attained permanent status shall be permitted to cash out up to forty (40) hours of accrued and unused Annual Leave, either in a single lump sum payment or two or more partial payments, each fiscal year.
SICK LEAVE: 8 hours per month. Any hours in excess of 960 will be paid off annually at 50%. Upon retirement, employees with a minimum of 5 years continuous service will receive 50% of sick leave balance. Termination for reasons other than retirement shall be entitled to payment for accrued, but unused sick leave, as follows:
Years of service Percentage Less than 2 full years 0% 2 to 5 full years 10% 5 to 10 full years 20% 10 full years or more 30% Retirement (normal, early or disability) 50%
HEALTH INSURANCE (Premiums): Employee Medical (Base Plan) – Paid 100% by City. Employee contributions are required for the buy up employee coverage plans. Employee Dental (DHMO or Basic PPO Plan) & Vision (Basic Plan) paid 100% by City. Employee contributions are required for the Employee + Dependent(s) for the Medical, Dental, & Vision Plan.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE BENEFIT: As of December 1 each year – Paid during the month of December.
Year of Service Benefit 5 to 10 full years $600 annually 10 to 15 full years $800 annually 15 full years and over $1,100 annually
RETIREMENT PLANS: The two pension/retirement options are listed below:
- An option to enroll in a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan will not require a mandatory contribution. The City will contribute seven (7%) percent of the annual base wages annually. The vesting period for this plan shall be one (1) year from date of hire in the classified service, which coincides with your one-year probationary period.
- An option to enroll in a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan option is available. There is a ten (10) year vesting period with a multiplier of 2.00% at normal retirement and a mandatory seven and three-quarters (7.75%) percent employee contribution.
- The two (2) options will be fully explained prior to an irrevocable selection.
Optional: 457 Deferred Compensation Savings Plan is available.
HOLIDAYS: 14 per year: 11 recognized holidays and 3 floating days which are allocated for the fiscal year beginning October 1, to all 8 hour per day employees. Employees hired between October 1 and March 31 shall receive 3 floating holidays. Employees hired between April 1 and September 30 shall receive 1.5 floating holidays. Floating holidays must be used within the fiscal year. Non-task employees working 10-hour days receive 10, 10-hour paid holidays but do not receive floating holidays.
FUNERAL LEAVE: Up to 3 workdays – In State; Up to 5 workdays – Out of State
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Full-time employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement as outlined in the City’s Tuition Reimbursement Policy which is available in Human Resources and subject to the availability of departmental funds.
MILITARY LEAVE: Members in military reserve units who attend annual training are entitled to paid leave not to exceed 30 days each calendar year.
EAP: Employees, spouses, and eligible dependents have access to five (5) face-to-face sessions with a counselor through Cigna’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Services include assistance with legal, financial, parenting, elder care, pet care, and identity theft.
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you possess a valid driver’s license?
- Yes
- No
03
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?NOTE: You must attach proof (diploma or degree or transcripts) of highest education completed with your application. Failure to do so may result in your application being marked as incomplete and removed from consideration.
- Less than High School
- High School Diploma or GED
- Trade or Vocational School
- Associates Degree or 60 credits of college courses
- Bachelors Degree
- Masters Degree
- Doctoral Degree
04
What area of study is your education?
05
Have you attached proof (diploma or degree or unofficial transcripts) of highest education completed with your application?Failure to do so may result in your application being marked as incomplete and removed from consideration.
- Yes
- No
06
How many years of documented work experience do you have in overseeing land management and tree care including selection (native ecosystems, sustainable landscapes, and xeriscaping principles), hazard evaluation, relocation, irrigation principles, maintenance, and inspection?
- I have no previous experience
- 6 months but less than 1 year of experience
- 1 year but less than 2 years of experience
- 2 years but less than 3 years of experience
- 3 years but less than 4 years of experience
- 4 years but less than 5 years of experience
- 5 years or more
07
Please briefly tell us about your work experience in overseeing land management and tree care including selection (native ecosystems, sustainable landscapes, and xeriscaping principles), hazard evaluation, relocation, irrigation principles, maintenance, and inspection.This experience must be clearly listed on your application work history. NOTE: “See Resume” will not be considered as a valid response. If you have no previous experience, please state “N/A”
08
Do you possess current Designation as a Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture?
- Yes
- No
09
Do you possess a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS (University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences) and FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) in GI-BMP (Green Industries- best management practices)?
- Yes
- No
10
Do you possess a current Florida Pesticide License?
- Yes
- No
11
Do you possess current certification as a Florida Certified Nursery Professional from the Landscape Inspectors Associations of Florida Inc.?
- Yes
- No
12
To be considered for employment with the City of Boca Raton, applicants must provide at least ten (10) years of continuous history. Did you account for the last ten (10) year period including all employment, periods of inactivity, school and/or retirement?
- Yes
- No
Required Question