Principal Greenhouse/Nursery Technician

Description THIS IS A RE-ADVERTISEMENT. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT RE-APPLY. The Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission is an award winning organization with over 5,000 employees that administers over 52,000 acres of stream valley parks, large regional parks, neighborhood parks and park-school recreation areas throughout Montgomery and Prince George's counties. In Prince George's County, we are also responsible for developing the County's public recreation programs. The Department of Parks & Recreation has the overall responsibility for planning, supervising and coordinating all park/recreation facilities and services throughout Prince George's County. The Facility Services Division (FSD) is the largest Division within this Department and is composed of six major work areas: Fleet Management, Buildings & Structures (Trade Shops), Horticulture & Forestry, Major Maintenance & Inspection, Critical Projects (ADA, Aquatics, Heavy Equipment/Roads and Grounds and Sustainability) and the Administrative section. The mission of FSD is to provide professional, high quality maintenance and maintenance support services for all parks and recreation facilities and to support the diverse work programs of the Parks & Recreation Department in Prince George's County and its customers. This position will work in the Greenhouse operations located in the Facility Services Division in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The position plans, schedules, grows, and ensures a well-maintained environment for plant production. The Principal Greenhouse/Nursery Technician plays a key role in providing high quality crops for the landscape teams and the sites they maintain. Performs other related duties, as assigned. Examples of Important Duties Performs Lead Role in the Planning, Scheduling, and Growing of the seasonal greenhouse production crops which will include poinsettias and summer annuals Establishes production schedules. Plants, seeds, pots, and production needs analyzed and communicated to supervisor in a timely fashion. Ensures every crop was started on time and all subsequent cultural practices were implemented at the proper time. Maintains communication during crop production with fellow greenhouse staff as to problems and progress of crops. Determines and controls proper environmental factors such as temperature, light, soil, moisture content, pest level and growth rates throughout the crop production cycle. Maintains and keeps thorough records of all production factors on all crops. Maintains proper soil moisture in crops grown in greenhouse year-round. Determines and implements proper cultural practices including propagation, transplanting, pinching, grooming, irrigation, fertilization, spacing and chemical growth regulation. Maintains proper temperature, light and humidity conditions per crop needs. Coordinates crop delivery with landscape teams based on their site's scheduling needs. Propagation of Ornamental Plants Conducts research on best propagation methods for a wide variety of ornamentals plants (annuals, tropicals, perennials, trees, and shrubs) including time of harvest of stock, rooting methods and materials, and conditions for propagation facility. Helps maintain production schedules and coordinates with other greenhouse staff and activity, status of material is tracked and communicated with other staff. Accurate records of production history are maintained. Performs Integrated Pest Management Status of pest problems is observed throughout the year based largely on daily monitoring. Applies pesticides, beneficials, and alternatives in a safe and effective manner. Promptly and accurately distributes and records use of beneficial applications in a timely manner. Promptly and accurately records use of pesticide applications, according to commission practice and the law. Properly maintains pesticide and equipment inventories and other information as required. Ensures information on new materials, pesticide usage, and regulations are kept up with. Assists Supervisor With Various Administrative and Supervisory Tasks Assists supervisor in selection and ordering of plant materials, supplies, and equipment. Represents the agency at professional meetings as needed. Provides input to long range planning such as for capital projects or strategic plans. Supervises greenhouse staff during supervisor's absence. Maintains fertilizer application records to meet requirements of Nutrient Management Program mandated by the state of Maryland. Maintains Greenhouse Structures and Mechanical Equipment Informs supervisor of needed repairs and Facilities Management Division staff was helped as needed. Performs routine lubrication, cleaning, repairs, and replacements in a timely fashion on greenhouse equipment from water hoses to pumps, to greenhouse heating and cooling equipment. Supports The Sustainability Initiatives Of The Gardens Incorporates green practices into all aspects of the work program. Places used soil and plant debris in separate containers and takes to the composting area. Puts plant debris in appropriate place in composting area. Separates recyclables to appropriate containers and plastic pots are delivered to appropriate collecting areas. Sorts larger pots, stores in appropriate bins, and washes on time for next use. Important Skills and Characteristics: Extensive knowledge of plant identification, greenhouse control systems, plant cultural requirements, and disease/pest recognition. Broad crop scheduling knowledge of diverse plant material for annual greenhouse production for outdoor landscape beds Demonstrated skill in all areas of crop production Willingness to share horticultural knowledge with visitors, volunteers, and staff in informal settings and through formally scheduled programs Strong written and verbal communication skills, including use of Microsoft Office suite and other specialized programs. Organized, reliable, accurate and detail oriented with ability to meet deadlines. Ability to perform strenuous work in all weather conditions. Working in extreme high and low temperatures, apply pesticides, operate equipment, interact with visitors in a formal/informal setting, stoop, bend, stretch, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds. Ability to have minor flexibility in schedule in case of assisting with special events. This is a full-time position, working 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 6:00am-2:45pm SALARY RANGE $49,361 - $87,419 Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field and 3 years of progressively responsible experience in growing ornamental crops in a production greenhouse. Current Maryland Pesticide Applicators license or other state. Multilingual Working Conditions Works in greenhouse and outdoor nursery. Exposed to weather, dust and horticultural chemicals. Personal protective equipment may be required to apply certain chemicals. Some driving is involved. Minimum Qualifications 1. Assoiciate of Arts Degree in Horticulture or related area plus three years of progressively responsible gardening and greenhouse/horticultural /nursery experience, or 2. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience in horticultural, greenhouse or nursery work. 3. Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's licenses must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations , suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehciles or perform driving duties required of their position. 4. Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's certification. 5. Pass commission medical examination. 6. Additionally, contingent upon area of assignment, some positions in this class may require: a) U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant and Animal Protection Service Permit, for acquiring and maintaining live exhibits upon appointment, or within 6 months. b) Commercial Driver's License with appropriate endorsement upon appointment, or within 6 months. Supplemental Information Classification Specification Principal Greenhouse/Nursery Technician The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor. We will do what we can to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us atto request accommodation. Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or(Maryland Relay 7-1-1) M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.