Landscape Technician (Two Positions/Parks and Recreation Department)

Job Description:

Landscape Technician (Two Positions/Parks and Recreation Department)

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus three (3) years of experience in a field related to landscaping, caring for plants, gardens, park lands, or other similar responsibilities.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Must obtain a Texas Certified Chemical Applicators license within six (6) months of employment.
• Valid Texas Class C Drivers License.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Landscape Technician position is to, under close supervision, perform activities associated with landscaping and maintenance of the City’s parks and other areas.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Driving Requirement: This position requires current possession of a Texas Class C Driver’s License or to have the ability to obtain within 90 days of employment. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds. Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases, and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond, and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.

Other Information:

• Posting Guidelines: PARD reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Pay Range
$22.82 - $25.78 per hour
Hours
Work/Location Schedule:

• Monday - Friday; 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 12/30/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location Zilker Metro Park, 2100 Barton Spring Rd, Austin, TX, 78746 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Skills:

• Experience in professional landscape maintenance and installation on parkland.
• Experience maintaining or repairing irrigation systems.
• Experience applying pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
• Experience operating, maintaining, and repairing lawn equipment such as string trimmers, blowers, hedge trimmers, pumps, chainsaws, and lawn mowers.
• Experience operating a truck and trailer.
• Experience using tractors and different implements to maintain turf in large acreage properties.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Perform routine grounds maintenance and landscaping functions including mowing, edging and trimming of grounds and park land areas, planting, watering, weeding, and maintaining trees, shrubs and bedding plants. Apply a wide range of chemicals and fertilizers to treat and control insects, plant diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. Operate hand pump sprayers, injectors, tillers, broadcast and drop spreaders, aerifiers, sod cutters, etc. Remain informed of laws, policies, and regulations concerning the application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides. Maintain records, inventories, and maintenance schedules. May perform other park maintenance, construction, and repair activities riding mowers, push mowers, trimmers, back hoes, power tools, and hand tools.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

None.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of the use and application of chemicals and compounds including fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides.
• Knowledge of insect pests, plant diseases, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Knowledge of techniques and practices for propagating, planting, and maintaining trees, shrubs, bedding plants, and ground covers.
• Skill in the use and safe operation of grounds maintenance equipment such as tractors, riding mowers, push mowers, trimmers, back hoes, power tools, and hand tools.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation from high school or equivalent plus three (3) years of experience in a field related to landscaping, caring for plants, gardens, park lands, or other similar responsibilities. Do you meet these miniumum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires obtaining a Texas Certified Chemical Applicators License within six (6) months of hire date. Will you be able to obtain this License within six (6) months of hire?

• Yes
• No

* In reviewing the preferred qualifications section of this job posting, please describe in 500 words or less how you meet those preferred qualifications.
(Open Ended Question)
* How many years of professional landscape maintenance experience do you have?

• None
• Less than three (3) years
• Three (3) or more years

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver License or, if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver License by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Safety Program requires that applicants have a current driving record with no more than six (6) Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) points. Please indicate if you have reviewed the City of Austin Driver Safety Program standards (link provided in the "Notes to Applicant" section), and indicate if you meet the requirements of the program, including a current driving record with no more than six (6) Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) points.

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents