GARDENER

DEFINITION:

Under direction, plants, transplants, fertilizes, applies chemicals, waters, 
prunes, and weeds flower beds and plant areas; maintains bushes, trees, 
and shrubs; may manage greenhouse operations; performs other related 
duties as required.

NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. 
A particular position using this title may or may not perform all duties listed 
in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not 
be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Organizes assigned gardening work, analyzes gardening problems, and 
develops effective work methods.

Prepares soil and plots of ground for planting.

Sows and harvests seeds.

Marks out borders, beds, and areas for planting.

Transplants plants and seedlings.

Prepares cold frames.

Raises plants in greenhouses.

Weeds flower beds, vegetable areas, and borders.

Sprays flower and vegetable plants, and fruit trees.

Prunes and clips shrubbery, bushes, and hedges.

Harvests and stores garden crops.

Seeds, waters, sods, mows, weeds, fertilizes, rakes, and trims lawns.

Cuts flowers for table and indoor use.

Makes cuttings and slips.

May assign and instruct helpers, assistant gardeners, and/or inmates, 
patients, and/or students assigned to gardening work.

Mixes sprays and other solutions.

Ensures the proper care of equipment, tools, and supplies.

Prepares reports and maintains essential records and files.

Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, 
or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

EXPERIENCE:

One (1) year of experience in the planting and maintenance of lawns, 
flowers, and shrubs.

LICENSE:

Appointees may be required to possess valid licensure and certification 
as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator in one or more categories pertinent 
to the position. The Appointing Authority is responsible for certification 
and license verification.

Appointees may be required to obtain valid licensure and certification as 
a Commercial Pesticide Applicator in one or more categories pertinent to 
the position.  Licensure and certification must be obtained within a specific 
timeframe designated by the appointing authority.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in 
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of gardening and groundskeeping practices.

Knowledge of the equipment, materials, and supplies used in 
large-scale gardening.

Knowledge of the use of insecticides, fertilizers, and other sprays.

Knowledge of the methods used to plant and care for flowers, plants, 
shrubbery, lawns, and other garden vegetation.

Knowledge of the planning of large-scale gardening work.

Knowledge of the preparation and use of cold frames and greenhouses.

Ability to plant and care for flowers, plants, shrubbery, lawns, and other 
garden vegetation.

Ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret gardening problems likely 
to be encountered in work on the grounds or institutional grounds.

Ability to perform the work involved in sowing seeds and planting, 
transplanting, growing, fertilizing, and harvesting flowers, shrubs, 
vegetables, berries, and fruit.

Ability to prepare reports and maintain essential records and files.

Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual 
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related 
units.

Ability to read write, speak, understand, and communicate in English 
sufficiently to perform duties of this position.  American Sign Language 
or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can 
perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable 
accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because 
it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may 
not be eligible.


This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
01883
L
C
  
N/A
03
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

 3/15/2022