Purpose:
The City of Newport is seeking a professional, experienced, hard-working and creative individual to fill the position of Landscaping Specialist. The purpose of the position is to perform skilled and technical work in landscape design, and care of the city’s landscaped areas, including, but not limited to, an advanced understanding of disease and pest control with an understanding of integrated pest management practices, and identification of flowers, trees, and shrubs that grow successfully in the coastal climate.
This is a full-time, benefited position. The City of Newport offers a robust benefit package. For more specific information, please clink on the below link:
https://www.newportoregon.gov/dept/adm/hr/benefits.asp
The City of Newport knows who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Come join the team!
Who Are We?
We are professional service providers, community members, and problem solvers. We strive to operate transparently, and be good stewards of the public trust. We serve as caretakers of facilities and provider of services to the taxpayers.
What Do We Do?
We provide competent and professional municipal services and activities to enhance the quality of life of the community; and plan, build, and maintain public assets for use by residents and visitors; and support the community vision.
Why Do We Do It?
We are community-minded, and maintain a high level of optimism to make the community a better place by maximizing the use of available resources to address the basic health, safety, and welfare, build a sustainable economy, and enhance the livability for the residents, and visitor in the City of Newport.
Qualifications:
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be: a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture, Turf Grass Management, or a related field and three years of experience and training as an arborist or landscaping or a related field, OR an Associate's Degree in Horticulture, Turf Grass Management, or a related field and five years of related experience and training.
KNOWLEDGE: Working knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in landscaping and parks maintenance. Knowledge of the principles and practices of landscape design, horticulture, and floriculture. Working knowledge of plants, trees, and shrubs that thrive successfully in the city’s coastal environment, including species identification and the ability to visually perform insect/disease diagnoses. Knowledge of the needs of plantings, including irrigation, soil preparation, fertilization, and more. Knowledge of hardscaping, including the design and review of plans, lighting, water movement, and electrical installations. Strong understanding of integrated pest management (IPM) practices used for landscape and park maintenance. Requires general knowledge of parks and right-of-way design and construction, including general irrigation, soil preparation, sodding, plantings, and seeding. Working knowledge of safety practices and procedures. Knowledge of occupational hazard and effective/proper safety standards, practices, and procedures related to equipment operation, and the use of hand and power tools and equipment.
SKILLS: Skill in the use of personal computers and various related software programs, including Microsoft Office 2013 (Excel and Word), and standard office equipment. Use of maintenance tools and equipment. Skill in planning and developing new landscaped areas and upgrading existing landscaped areas. Skill in understanding and responding to the city’s needs; and analyzing and solving technical problems pertaining to the area of assignment. Strong time management, analytical, organization, and prioritization skills. Customer Service orientation and skills. Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with managers, supervisors, employees, and the public. Strong oral and written communication skills with a variety of audiences. Competence in business English, spelling, punctuation, and mathematics. Strong reasoning, analysis, and problem-solving skills, combined with excellent judgment and professionalism.
ABILITIES: Ability to work with limited supervision; read and interpret specifications related to construction activities; communicate clearly both verbally and in writing; prioritize; address multiple demands; meet deadlines; and understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to establish and maintain an effective and professional working relationship with City management, supervisors, employees, Council members, other entities, and the public. Work in partnership with other employees, divisions, departments, external entities, and the public in delivering effective and innovative service. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing, with individual and groups. Ability to operate and effectively use landscaping tools and ground maintenance equipment. Ability to effectively function in an environment with interruptions and conflicting demands. Ability to communicate and interact with a variety of people; be self-motivated, and carry assignments through to completion. Ability to use discretion and work independently and in a teamwork environment. Attention to detail in all aspects of the job. Ability to manage inventory and property. Ability to make budget recommendations. Ability to write work reports and maintain records and logs; read and interpret technical manuals, work orders, diagrams, and sketches. Ability to lawfully operate a motorized vehicle for City business on a regular basis. Physical ability to perform the essential job functions of the job.
Desirable Qualifications:
Certified Arborist
Experience as a landscape technician, or a combination of education and three to five years related experience and training
Special Requirements/Licenses:
Valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire
Certification as a pesticide applicator must be obtained from the State of Oregon within six months of hire. Continued employment is contingent upon maintaining valid certification
First Aid/CPR Certification
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, climb, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach, and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility including the ability to frequently lift or move materials up to 30 pounds, occasionally lift materials up to 50 pounds, and rarely lift or move materials more than 75 pounds. Manual dexterity, strength and coordination are required approximately 60% of the time to operate landscaping tools and ground maintenance equipment. The position requires the ability to operate a motorized vehicle. Must have sufficient mobility to conduct work at locations with limited or difficult access. Physical exertion may be required to move heavy objects and/or equipment. Sensory requirements include; speaking, hearing, vision, color discrimination, touch, smell, and balance. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is exposed to the following environmental factors: working near moving mechanical parts; working in or near moving traffic; fumes or airborne particles; noise; chemical use; and outdoor weather conditions.
Working Conditions/Work Environment:
Work location is primarily outdoors and may be exposed to varying and extreme weather conditions and excessively loud noises from construction equipment, dust, and uneven terrain. Risk of physical harm from hazards include, falling off ladders, tripping on construction debris, noxious odors, and falling debris. May be exposed to excessively loud noises from heavy traffic. Employee is required to comply with City and OSHA safety standards and wear appropriate personal protective equipment related to the job.
How To Apply:
All applications for this position must be submitted via our online application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofnewport
Only complete applications will be considered and application review will continue until position is filled. Please do not fax, mail or e-mail any documentation. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been successfully submitted.
The City of Newport is an EEO employer and veteran's preference provider. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under state, federal, or local law.
The City of Newport follows Oregon law regarding Veterans' Preference in Public Employment. If you are requesting Veterans' Preference, you must complete the
Veteran's Preference Form and attach a copy of your DD214 / DD215. If you are a disabled veteran, you must also include a copy of your Veteran's Administration benefit summary/award letter with your application.
All offers of employment are subject to successful completion of a background check, reference checking, and in the case of safety sensitive positions, drug and alcohol testing.