Landscape Technician II

Landscape Technician II

The Port of San Diego is seeking a dedicated Landscape Technician II to support the care and preservation of our waterfront parks and public spaces. This role involves maintaining turf, trees, irrigation systems, and coastal plantings while ensuring our grounds remain clean, safe, and welcoming for visitors. Ideal candidates bring strong attention to detail, experience with landscape tools and equipment, and a commitment to environmental stewardship along San Diego's working waterfront.

Under immediate (Landscape Technician I) to general (Landscape Technician II) supervision, performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled landscaping and maintenance duties; mows, trims, edges, fertilizes, and aerates turf areas; weeds, prunes, mulches, and applies pesticides to plants, shrubs, trees, bare areas, and other Port properties; inspects, maintains, operates, installs, troubleshoots, and repairs irrigation systems; operates a variety of grounds maintenance equipment, vehicles, and trailers; and performs related duties as assigned.

Receives immediate (Landscape Technician I) to general (Landscape Technician II) supervision. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Landscape Technician I: This is the entry-level classification in the Landscape Technician series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine landscape maintenance tasks including mowing, edging, and cleaning up debris, as well as performing regular irrigation checks and suppressing invasive species. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Landscape Technician II level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Landscape Technician II: This is the fully qualified journey-level classification in the Landscape Technician series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Landscape Technician I level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in the Landscape Technician class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the Landscape Technician II level are normally filled by advancement from the Landscape Technician I level; progression to the Landscape Technician II level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; and (iv) management approval for progression to the Landscape Technician II level.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Represented positions are subject to the meet and confer process. Positions at the Landscape Technician I level may perform some of these duties and responsibilities in a learning capacity.

• Mows, trims, edges, fertilizes, and aerates turf areas; weeds, prunes, mulches, fertilizes, irrigates, and applies pesticides to plants, shrubs, trees, bare areas, and other Port properties; prepares soil for planting; installs and propagates plants, shrubs, and trees.
• Mixes and applies chemical pesticides and herbicides to Port grounds to control and prevent weeds, pests, and plant diseases; applies fertilizers to Port grounds; maintains the Port's chemical and spray equipment inventory; assists in maintaining records and reports related to the application of chemical pesticides and herbicides; provides public notice of pesticide/herbicide application prior to spraying.
• Conducts regular irrigation infrastructure inspections, troubleshoots and repairs as required, including repair of mainline damage and identification of backflow issues; updates irrigation timers based on season and water consumption.
• Operates a variety of hand and power tools including mowers, edgers, blowers, hedge trimmers, line trimmers, chain saws, rakes, shovels, and other landscape tools; performs general maintenance on equipment and tools; adjusts and makes repairs to tools, as needed; reports the need for major repairs and maintenance.
• Operates various motorized equipment including gang mowers and edgers in the landscape maintenance of parks, athletic fields, lawns, street medians, and other areas; operates a variety of Port vehicles, trucks with trailer, dump trailer, and other motorized vehicles and equipment.
• Cleans and maintains landscaped areas, cleans and maintains immediate hazards on paved areas, athletic fields, paths, and walks; picks up litter, garbage, and organic debris from landscaped areas and athletic fields; maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday.
• Performs disaster service worker responsibilities, as directed.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Positions at the Landscape Technician I level may exercise some of these knowledge and abilities statements in a learning capacity.

Knowledge of:

• Basic grounds and landscape maintenance procedures including mowing, edging, raking, and weeding.
• Practice of cultivating, propagating, fertilizing, watering, and spraying flowers, trees, and shrubs.
• Best practices, methods, materials, and utilization of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals used in landscape maintenance.
• Operation and maintenance of hand and power tools and equipment used in landscape maintenance.
• Inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair methods of irrigation systems.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Occupational hazards and safety equipment and practices related to the work.
• Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public, vendors, contractors, and Port staff.
• The structure and content of the English language to effectively perform the work.
• Modern portable and nonportable equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform semi-skilled and skilled grounds maintenance duties including prioritizing and scheduling work on landscaped, turf, and playground areas and athletic fields.
• Mow, edge, water, weed, fertilize, and cultivate lawns, flowerbeds, athletic fields, and other landscaped areas.
• Read and understand landscape plans and blueprints.
• Mix and apply specialized chemicals to control and eradicate weeds, insects, and other pests.
• Operate a variety of power and hand tools and small motorized equipment including but not limited to small tractors, turf mowers, utility trucks, edgers, and line trimmers.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Perform skilled application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
• Perform basic landscape construction, modification, maintenance, and repair work.
• Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials, costs, and supplies required for repairs and maintenance projects.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written reports of work performed.
• Identify irrigation infrastructure issues and proper methods and materials needed to maintain and repair irrigation infrastructure.
• Operate and troubleshoot various irrigation controllers to conduct irrigation checks and adjust watering schedules as needed.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural and safety guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Landscape Technician I/II: Equivalent to completion of twelfth (12th) grade.
• Landscape Technician I: One (1) year of experience in landscape maintenance, gardening, groundskeeping, or related experience.
• Landscape Technician II: Two (2) years