HORTICULTURIST

 DEFINITION:

 Under direction plans, coordinates, and supervises work involved with
 cultivation, propagation, care, and display of flowers, shrubs,
 fruits, vegetables, or ornamental trees; does 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 not perform
 all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties
 performed on the job may not be listed.

 EXAMPLES OF WORK:

 Supervises the growing, cultivation, and care of fruits, vegetables,
 flowers, shrubs, and ornamental trees and plants in botanical gardens,
 orchards, greenhouses, parks, arboretum, or similar facility.

 Performs research or other professional scientific work involved with
 problems associated with the care, production, storage, and handling
 of fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and ornamental trees.

 Confers with staff to plan activities most appropriate for maintenance
 of growing stock and production of plants for display, installation in
 special exhibits, or sale to the public.

 Devises designs for floral exhibits.

 Determines best methods of planting, spraying, and cultivating
 flowers, plants, and shrubs.

 Uses scientific discoveries to help combat plant diseases.

 Plans and develops crops best suited for particular areas.

 Conducts experiments to develop new varieties of plants and 
 to improve existing varieties.

 Studies effect of fertilizers, insect sprays, plant care, and their
 diseases and care.

 Manages the marketing of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other
 plants.

 Inspects areas for conditions of trees, shrubbery plantations, flower
 and vegetable gardens, and the like for indications of insect
 infestations, plant diseases, or other physical disturbances or
 conditions.

 Attempts to arrive at work programs to alleviate any undesirable
 situations.

 Attends educational conferences and meetings.

 Gives talks before various groups.

 Is responsible for ordering, obtaining, storing, safeguarding, and
 distributing materials, tools, and supplies, and maintains inventory
 of equipment and supplies.

 Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative records and files.

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

 REQUIREMENTS:

      EDUCATION:

      Graduation from an accredited college or university with a
 Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Forestry, Botany, Agriculture,
 Biological Sciences, or Agronomy.

      EXPERIENCE:

      One (1) year of experience in the cultivation, propagation, care,
 and handling of flowers, plants, shrubs, ornamental trees, fruits, and
 vegetables.

      LICENSE:

      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 problems, solutions, and work of a horticulturist.

 Knowledge of techniques involved in growing and maintaining a large
 variety of plants.

 Knowledge of fundamental plant sciences and of scientific principles
 that underlie horticulture.

 Knowledge of the application of related sciences such as chemistry,
 plant pathology, plant taxonomy, genetics, plant physiology,
 entomology, microbiology, agronomy and soils, and horticulture.

 Ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret horticultural problems
 encountered in a particular area.

 Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.

 Ability to learn quickly from oral and written explanations and
 directions.

 Ability to give assignments and instructions to subordinates and to
 provide them with advice and assistance when difficult, unusual
 problems arise.

 Ability to ensure that corrective, preventative procedures are
 followed and that desired objectives are achieved.

 Ability to plan and develop crops best suited for particular areas.

 Ability to design attractive, appropriate floral displays.

 Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports.

 Ability to maintain records and files.

 Ability 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 as long as
 they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable
 accommodation is made to their known limitations. 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
02044
L
C
  
N/A
23
-

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.

 5/27/2004