3428-Nursery Specialist

Job description

CITY & COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Title: Nursery Specialist

Job Code: 3428

INTRODUCTION

Under direction, participates in or leads the performance of a wide variety of plant propagation activities involving the control of environment factors in a nursery, greenhouse or conservatory.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Class 3428 Nursery Specialist is distinguished from 3430 Chief Nursery Specialist in that it performs, or acts as a lead for a group of employees performing, a variety of nursery activities whereas the 3430 Chief Nursery Specialist supervises subordinate classes, performs of more difficult and complex work, and has responsibility as a primary resource for unique problems.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Participates in or leads the performance of a variety of nursery activities; makes and sets cuttings; makes grafts; sows seed; transplants seedlings or rooted cuttings to pots or flats; gathers seed; lays out beds for field crops; pots and repots plants.

2. Sterilizes and mixes soils to be used in plant propagation activities; prepares and applies fungicides and insecticides to be used in the nursery: applies fertilizers to crops when needed; prunes and stakes nursery stock.

3. Makes necessary adjustments regarding ventilation, temperature humidity and other environmental factors affecting plant materials; participates in or leads the irrigation and cultivation of all crops.

4. Prepares floral displays and fills orders for greenhouse stock: takes inventory of stock, maintains accurate and detailed records of plant propagation activities: inspects nurseries, greenhouses or conservatories for proper repair, and may make minor repairs as needed.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Plant and ornamental horticulture, the principles of floricultural display; soil mixtures and fertilizers for specialized plants and the effects of environment on plant life.

Ability and Skill to: Plan, inspect and lead the work of auxiliary employees; effectively execute a program of plant propagation and display; make effective presentations of conservatory activities before interested groups.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Experience:

Two (2) years of professional experience in the propagation and culture of plants in a commercial or municipal nursery, greenhouse or conservatory.

License and Certification:

Possession of a valid California Driver�s License; AND

Candidates who become eligible for appointment will be required to obtain a Qualified Applicator�s Certificate (QAC) or a Qualified Applicator�s License (QAL) from the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Incumbents who fail to obtain this certificate or license within a six (6) month time period from the date of appointment will be separated from employment.

Substitution:

Completion of 30 semester / 45 quarter units in Horticulture, Agronomy or a related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Possession of a Bachelor�s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in Horticulture, Agronomy or a related field may be substituted for the required two (2) years of experience.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: may occasionally work in inclement weather, lift floral exhibits and/or move plants of moderate weight.

PROMOTIVE LINES

To: 3430 Chief Nursery Specialist

ORIGINATION DATE: Retitled 07/01/1977

AMENDED DATE: 03/14/16

REASON FOR AMENDMENT To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities defined in the most recent job analysis conducted for this job code.

BUSINESS UNIT(S): COMMN SFMTA SFCCD SFUSD

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Historic and future compensation