Urban Forester/Horticulturist

Under limited supervision, performs a variety of routine and complex technical and administrative work in planning, maintaining and implementing a municipal horticulture and Urban Forestry program for all City right of ways, public parks and beautification areas. Work involves supervising maintenance workers, grounds workers, part-time, contracted or seasonal personnel as assigned. Reports to the Director of Urban & Park Land Management.

Supervises department employees, which involves such duties as instructing, assigning and reviewing work, maintaining standards, acting on employee problems, selecting new employees, appraising employee performance, recommending promotions, discipline, termination and salary increases.

Prepares annual horticultural budget requests; assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.

Makes recommendations, monitors, and assists in the daily maintenance of City parks, green space areas, right of ways, and beautification areas; determines schedules for mowing, mulching fertilization, herbicide/pesticide application, pruning, and planting.

Inspects, asses and manages all City owned trees; performs and directs the pruning, protection, removal and replacement of trees according to ANSI standards.

Collects data for all City trees and enters it into GIS tree inventory.

Coordinates the cultivation, propagation, care and display of turf, flowers, shrubs, or ornamental trees.

Determines the proper methods of planting, spraying, and cultivating turf, flowers, trees and shrubs.

Inspects areas for conditions of trees, shrubbery, gardens, and the like for indications of insect infestations, plant diseases, or other physical disturbances or conditions. Understands and uses necessary Integrated Pest Management and Plant Health Care methods to combat plant pest, diseases and other biotic and abiotic stresses.

Drafts detailed landscape and irrigation plans for all areas, as needed, for City projects.

Negotiates and supervises contracted landscaping services.

Plans annual color program, wildflower program, and other horticultural programs, as directed.

Manages the City of Clemson Community Garden including, budgeting, registration, updates waiting list, communication with gardeners, acts as liaison to the garden property owners (Clemson United Methodist Church), supervises site maintenance, drafts, implements and ensures adherence to the garden guidelines and plans and coordinates all garden event programs.

Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow; studies and standardizes procedures using Best Management Practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations and projects.

Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.

Supervises the control of, and is responsible for, all materials and supplies used in the horticulture program.

Maintains liaison with other departments as well as state, local, and other public officials.

Meets with and makes recommendations for home owners, HOAs, churches, commercial property owners/managers and real estate companies.

Refers to policies and procedures, codes / laws / regulations, publications and reference texts, etc.

Operates an automobile and a variety of equipment such as personal computer, calculator, copy and fax machine, telephone, mobile or portable radio, landscaping and grounds maintenance equipment (mower, back hoe, front end loader, skid steer) etc..

Uses a variety of tools such as drafting tools, etc.; a variety of supplies such as general office supplies, etc.; and a variety of computer software such as word processing, etc.

Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the Parks and Recreation Director, other City departments and staff, and the general public.

Requires a Bachelor's degree in horticulture, arboriculture, agriculture, or related field and two years of horticulture experience; or any combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities. Must be a certified Arborist and Pesticide Applicator. Must have a valid State driver's license. Must have a valid South Caroling CDL driver's license or the ability to obtain one. Must have a South Carolina pesticide or herbicide applicator's license or the ability to obtain one. Must have an ISA Certified Arborist's license or the ability to obtain one.

Applications accepted online at www.cityofclemson.org. Open until position is filled. The City of Clemson provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.