CITY OF STAUNTON

Horticultural Intern: "Susan Blackley Horticulture Internship"

The City of Staunton Parks Maintenance division has a Horticultural Internship opening, titled "Susan Blackley Horticulural Internship", for this upcoming late spring/summer 2024. Under direction of the city horticulturist, the horticulture intern will plant, weed, mulch, and maintain beds, and will perform technical work in the maintenance, and care of municipal garden areas and other designated locations; does related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Open to a high school or college student pursuing a career in horticulture, arboriculture, or a related field.  Must be 18-years or older.  Experience or education in ornamental horticulture including bed layout, establishment of trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials preferred.  Experience or education in tree care related work preferred. Knowledge of plant diseases and insects is helpful. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A VA driver’s license with good driving record is required.   

This is a part-time time position, no benefits, working up to 32 hours per week. Position is available from mid-May thru mid-August, 2024. Hourly rate: $14.00. Position is open until filled. Apply online. 

Please see full job description below. For additional information, please contact Matthew Sensabaugh, City Horticulturist, via email at sensabaughmg@ci.staunton.va.us.

                                                  CITY OF STAUNTON
                                              POSITION DESCRIPTION

GENERAL DEFINITION AND PURPOSE OF WORK:

Under direction of the city horticulturist, the horticulture intern will plant, weed, mulch, and maintain beds. Performs technical work in the maintenance, and care of municipal garden areas and other designated locations; does related work as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

The minimum performance expectations include, but are not limited to, the following functions/tasks:

• Assists management with implementation of programs related to floriculture, arboriculture, turf grass management, and other landscape developments;
• Plants annuals, perennials, shrubs & trees under direction of Horticulture staff
• Prunes and trims trees, shrubs, and other plants under direction of Horticulture staff;
• Responds to citizen inquiries and provides information on horticultural practices and methods;
• Assists with tree care work including planting, pruning, removals, clean-up of debris and emergency storm clean up;
• Assists in the coordination of activities with Landscape Advisory Board and volunteer groups;
• Operates trucks, loaders, chippers, tractors, and other equipment in connection with the above duties;
• Performs a variety of routine maintenance tasks and other related tasks as required and;
• Performs related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to learn and adapt on the job to gain experience in horticulture & tree care. Knowledge of the tools, materials and equipment used in horticulture as well as thorough knowledge of growing a wide variety of flowers and related plants materials is helpful.  Ability to learn and show skill in planting, transplanting, pruning and propagating flowers and other plants and in the operation of tools and equipment related to horticultural and arboricultural work. Must have the ability to perform demanding physical work for extended periods in all weather conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Open to a high school or college student pursuing a career in horticulture, arboriculture, or a related field.  Must be 18-years or older.  Experience or education in ornamental horticulture including bed layout, establishment of trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials preferred.  Experience or education in tree care related work preferred. Knowledge of plant diseases and insects is helpful. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A VA driver’s license with good driving record is required.   Pre-employment drug screening is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and EVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Work requires exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and up to 5 pounds of force constantly to move object. Work requires considerable physical activity including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and feeling; vocal communication is required for conveying instructions to others accurately; hearing is required to receive information through oral communications and/or to make distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and reading written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat.  The worker will work in an environment where fertilizers and pesticides are applied.

ADA:

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No supervisory responsibilities.  May be called upon to work with inmate work crews, as well as parks maintenance co-workers.

EXAMPLES OF EXPECTED DECISION MAKING:

With guidance from the City Horticulturalist, assists in decision-making on the design and implementation of all landscaped areas, determines how budget and personnel will be utilized and treatment of disease and pests in all areas of horticulture.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The Horticulture intern will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the supervisor. The City of Staunton reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with city policy, using information from various sources to study and review the position holder’s ability and effectiveness in carrying out the above responsibilities. 

Approved by:            Director of Parks and Recreation and Chief Human Resources Officer

Revised Date:           2020