Job Progression - Gardener to Senior Gardener

Summary

This is an internal opening for current employees in the Wastewater Treatment Division in the Gardener job classification only. This posting will be used to facilitate the annual Job Progression for Wastewater, S.E.I.U., Local 925 - Gardener to progress to Senior Gardener at their current Treatment Plant location and supervision.

Our Senior Gardener provides direction to assigned staff and performing senior/advanced level landscape maintenance including designing landscapes and irrigation systems at wastewater treatment facilities. Incumbents work under minimal supervision, acting as the central point of contact for landscape design, design of irrigation systems, and administration of specific rules and regulations relating to a facility's landscape. In addition, incumbents in this classification participate in budgeting and purchasing equipment, supplies, and materials.

Article 15.3 - Eligibility Progression Criteria Requirements:

• Successfully passed probation.
• The candidate possesses the certification and licenses required at the classification level.
• The candidate has completed the required training.
• The candidate has achieved an above standard rating (3.6667 to 4.333) or higher on their last performance evaluations or probationary evaluation and has successfully completed any/all formal performance improvement plans.
• The candidate has sufficient experience at the established level in critical areas and under critical circumstances to demonstrate competent performance and the higher-level classifications.
• The candidate has passed, at the established level, any required knowledge skills, general competency, and/or specific technical proficiency tests.
• The candidate has been free of discipline for a minimum of one year and all disciplinary issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the review board.
• Required work portfolio elements.
• Required Signoffs.

Job Duties
What You Will Be Doing:

• Participate in, design new, and/or revise landscapes and irrigation systems for assigned facilities.
• Develop a project plan including budget, staffing, coordination, and materials requirements for assigned landscape and related projects.
• Act as central point of contact with the general public regarding landscape gardening issues that arise at assigned facilities and coordinate oral and written responses with work unit supervisor, as needed.
• Provide work assignment direction and training for assigned staff. Oversee and direct the work of external contractors and volunteers as required.
• Participate in the installation and field testing of potable and non-potable irrigation systems and repairs made by external contractors. Direct, coordinate, and monitor repairs and adjustments to irrigation systems, ensuring the irrigation system has been updated for effective and efficient water delivery. Coordinate all external contractors' work with construction management teams and other staff to minimize damage to existing infrastructure and disruptions to service.
• Oversee the installation and repairs of landscape plant materials and turf grass. Develop and conduct seasonal maintenance program to mow and fertilize turf grass areas. Manage the weed control program and the insect, disease, and rodent-control program; evaluate the effectiveness of programs.
• Coordinate ice and snow removal activities of an assigned facility. Participate in the development of an ice and snow plan for a given site and manage necessary supplies, equipment, and materials related to ice and snow removal.
• Monitor the use of related tools, equipment and machinery; coordinate routine and preventative maintenance. Order supplies and maintain inventories of landscape related materials, services, equipment, and machinery for landscape projects.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring:

• Knowledge of common landscape plant species, their characteristics, and attributes related to their use in existing and new landscape design situations.
• Knowledge of installing landscape planting materials, design principles, and management techniques in turf, pruning, transplanting, irrigation requirements, and pesticide applications.
• Knowledge of the use of all types of landscape gardening materials and operating related landscape tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of industrial safety procedures relating to equipment operation, pesticide handling, and application
• Skill in reading blueprint plans to help maintain as-built records for an assigned facility or site.
• Ability to perform field work, use ladders, and work around noxious odors and high noise levels.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite.

Required Licenses / Certifications:
Washington State Pesticide Public Operator's license.

Required Supplemental Materials to be reviewed by the Job Progression Promotion Review Board:

• Pertinent copies of your licenses, certifications, and training records.
• Supervisor support/endorsement letter.
• A portfolio or job progression book showing examples of your advanced level of proficiency in the identification of landscape plant species, their characteristics and attributes related to their use in existing and new landscape designs, installing landscape planting materials, design principles, and management techniques in turf, pruning, transplanting, irrigation requirements, and pesticide applications. The use of all types of landscape gardening materials and operating related landscape tools and equipment, industrial safety procedures relating to equipment operations, pesticide handling, and application, skilled in reading blueprints plants to help maintain as-built records for an assigned facility or site and demonstrated leadership and readiness to be considered for progression to Senior Gardener.
• A list of employees who can verify your work, technical expertise and leadership in the work examples that you have identified. These employees will be surveyed by WTD-HR and asked to rate their performance, technical expertise, and leadership in the situations that you identified.

What to Expect - Job Progression Promotion Review Board
Part 1 - Written Test, Interviews, Demonstrations/Working Tests, Review Portfolio (including feedback from others on tasks).
Part 2 - Trial Service Period - those recommended for progression to Senior Gardener by the Job Progression Promotion Review Board must successfully complete a 6-month Trial Service Period, at the employee's same site location/crew.
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:

• Work Locations:
  • South Treatment Plant - 1200 Monster Rd SW, Renton, WA 98057
  • Brightwater Treatment Plant - 22505 State, Route 9 SE, Woodinville, WA 98072
  • West Point Treatment Plant - 1400 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, WA 98199

Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division).
Application Instructions:
Please submit your completed Supplemental Materials (Portfolio) to Angela Dickson or your Administrator I at your respective treatment plants, by Friday, December 13, 2024.

Application and Selection Process: Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

• King County Application via NEOGOV
• Supplemental Materials (Portfolio)
• Supervisor support/endorsement letter
• Responses to the supplemental questions

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or have questions related to this recruitment process, please contact Rodney Dungo (rdungo@kingcounty.gov).
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To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.


Closing Date/Time:

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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