Seasonal Gardener



Job Details

Seasonal Gardener
Employer

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Salary

$15.93 Hourly

Location

MN, MN

Job Type

Seasonal (Certified)

Job Number

REQ00260

Department

Environmental Stewardship

Opening Date

05/04/2018

Closing Date

Continuous

Role Summary

Perform seasonal manual labor and care of formal and informal gardens and landscapes throughout the park system; such as Lyndale Park encompassing 5 distinctive gardens (the Rose Garden, Peace (Rock) Garden, Annual/Perennial Garden, Perennial Trial Garden and the Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden); Minnehaha Falls Regional Park including Longfellow Gardens and the Pergola Garden; and gardens in North and Northeast Minneapolis. Position is temporary with an expected duration from approximately mid-April 2018 through mid-October 2018, weather dependent.  Hours/days vary throughout season, dependent upon garden needs; 40 hours per week.  

Duties

Performs under the general supervision of the Parkkeeper Crew Leader, Gardener and/or Park Operations Manager and is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:
 
Essential Duties:

  • Maintain existing plant collections and surrounding turf
  • Plant herbaceous and woody plant species in a variety of sites
  • Provide daily care of garden/landscape areas using best management practices, including weed control and irrigation
  • Assist and may take direction from full-time Gardeners pertaining to daily care and garden signage
  • Perform and foster an environment of safe work practices and report safety issues promptly to appropriate staff
Related Work:
  • Assist with volunteer events, special projects and programs
  • Tactfully enforce MPRB rules and regulations
  • May assist full-time Gardeners with singular bed design
  • Assist Parkkeepers with daily assignments
  • Notify supervisor of concerns
  • Perform related work as assigned

Requirements

Training and Experience (position requirements at entry)

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Coursework in one of the following disciplines: horticultural sciences, ecology, natural resources, botany, landscape architecture, earth sciences, or biology
  • Previous experience working with public preferred
  • Previous experience working with volunteers preferred.
Physical Requirements 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
  • Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, stand, walk, drive, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions.
  • Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
  • The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as incumbents are subject to local travel to and from work locations. 
  • Operating or utilizing equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements. 
  • The ability to remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods of time.
  • The incumbent may be required to traverse on rough, uneven terrain, as well as wet and slippery surfaces and to ascend and descend ladders to access work areas.
  • Work for prolonged periods of times outdoors under strenuous conditions in all weather conditions.  Frequent exposure to insects, pollen, unpleasant odors, wind, and sun. 
  • Occasionally drives local roads using riding mowers and MPRB utility vehicles.  
Licensing Requirements
Valid Driver's license 

Knowledge of: (position requirements at entry)
  • Working knowledge of herbaceous and woody plants, garden/landscape design and maintenance
  • Find addresses and locations within City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park System using maps or GPS Geographical.
  • Basic professional conduct in the workplace, including respectful communication and civility toward others
Skills and Ability to: (position requirements at entry)
  • Use and  properly operate tools necessary for the performance of duties.
  • Learn to read and follow garden master plans
  • Work independently
  • Read and/or listen to instructions and understand content of such instructions in order to follow through on next steps
  • Perform simple arithmetic
  • Work in a team environment and adapt to changing conditions and situations
  • Establish and maintain effective, respectful, and productive working relationships
  • Understand and follow supervisor directions, work rules, policies, and procedures
  • Provide outstanding customer service
  • Work safely following safety standards and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Workload based on seasonal needs and hours of operation including days, nights, holidays, and weekends.  Regular attendance at work expected.
Equipment
Hand tools, riding lawn mower, weed whip, backpack blower.  Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes, but is not limited to, steel toed footwear, safety glasses, hearing protection.

Additional Information

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT:
A criminal background check is necessary for positions with this job title.  Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, the applicant will be asked to sign an informed consent allowing the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to obtain their criminal history in connection with the positions sought.  View the MPRB Background Check Policy at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/_asset/9585u2/2013-Background-Check-Policy.pdf.  Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, applicants must also successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination with work simulation paid for by the MPRB.  

SELECTION PROCESS:
To apply for this seasonal certified position, applicants must complete an online application with supplemental questions at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs. The selection process for this position will consist of a rating of training and experience based on application materials (100%).  Minimum passing score is 70.00.  Because the rating of training and experience is based on application materials, applicants are encouraged to be complete and thorough in their answers.  Applicants may choose to attach a cover letter or resume to their application; however it is not a substitute for the completed application and supplemental questions.  HR reserves the right to limit the number of people invited to successive testing events.  References, including verification of employment and work performance, may be considered.  Prior discipline and performance may be considered.  This position is open until filled.  Eligible list will expire on September 30, 2018.

The MPRB is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The MPRB is a tobacco-free workplace and park system 

Service Division: Asset Management
Accountable To: Service Area Crew Leader, Gardener and/or Park Operations Manager
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Union: Seasonal Laborers Local 363
Grade: 2

Positions in this job title are eligible for a number of benefits:

  • Recall eligibility for subsequent summers
  • Potential for full season bonus
  • Paid holidays that fall within regular schedule
  • Accrue sick and safe time under the City of Minneapolis ordinance
  • Receive 8 hours compensatory time per season
  • Safety shoe reimbursement

01
Do you have a High School Diploma or equivalent?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Are you at least 18 years of age?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Do you have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Have you taken higher education courses in horticultural sciences, ecology, natural resources, botany, landscape architecture, earth sciences, or biology?
  • Yes
  • No
05
This position is scheduled to work 40 hours per week from roughly mid-April to mid-October and may include working evenings, weekends and holidays. Are you able to commit to working these hours?
  • Yes
  • No
06
If you answered no to question #5, please explain. If you answered yes, list "N/A"
07
For the purposes of this application, a season is considered 3-6 months of continuous full-time work in the spring, summer and/or fall. Which of the following best describes your prior work experience in maintaining existing plant collections and surrounding turf?
  • One season experience
  • Two seasons but less than 4 seasons
  • 4 or more seasons
  • I do not have this experience
08
Which of the following tolls/equipment do you have at least one full season's worth experience using? Please check all that apply:
  • Hand tools
  • Riding lawnmower
  • Weed whip
  • Backpack blower
  • None of the above
09
Indicate whether you have work experience planting the following types of materials: (check all that apply)
  • Annuals
  • Biennials
  • Perennials
  • Woody/shrubs
  • I do not have this experience
10
Indicate whether you have work experience in daily garden and landscape care: (check all that apply)
  • Weed control
  • Irrigation
  • Mulching
  • Pruning
  • I do not have this experience
11
Do you have prior work experience reading and following garden master plans?
  • Yes
  • No
12
Seasonal Gardeners will assist with leading volunteer events and in special projects and programs. Do you have prior work experience leading and working with volunteers?
  • Yes
  • No
13
Seasonal Gardeners work daily in the parks and gardens and will encounter and engage with the public. Do you have prior work experience working with the public (such as customer service experience)?
  • Yes
  • No
14
Do you hold or have you held any of the following licenses or certifications? Check all that apply:
  • Pesticide applicator's license
  • Pool operator's license
  • Playground Safety Inspector certificate
  • None of the above
15
Do you speak any of the following languages?
  • American Sign Language (ASL)
  • Hmong
  • Russian
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • None of the above

* Required Question

Employer
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Address
2117 West River Rd N

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411
Phone
612-230-6429

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