7N74
PARK GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

This is park landscape work at the second supervisory level planning, directing and coordinating a district-wide landscape improvement program or a horticultural program for the Park's horticultural center. Employees in this class direct a tree, grounds or horticultural center maintenance care program through subordinate supervisors. Work includes responsibility for establishing priorities and assuring that maintenance schedules are established and carried out. Reviewing and controlling program implementation through subordinate crew chiefs are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the supervision of a district manager.

• The positions must plan and direct, through subordinate supervisors, a tree maintenance or grounds maintenance care program within a park district or horticultural program at the city's horticultural center.
• The positions must be located in Fairmount Park.

ALL SPECIALTIES

• Determines priority of work; advises subordinate supervisors of operational objectives; plans work schedules to ensure that goals can be met; assigns work locations/assignments to subordinates.
• Maintains preventive maintenance records for assigned equipment; schedules equipment for maintenance and arranges for replacement equipment; acts as liaison between maintenance garage and sector personnel.
• Confers with subordinate supervisors at field locations to observe and discuss problems in work areas; determines corrective action to be taken.
• Makes special assignments of equipment according to the priority of work and availability of equipment.
• Confers with superior to coordinate special services; requests additional resources as required in the district.
• Submits recommendations for the purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies; prepares requisitions for equipment, materials and supplies needed for tree maintenance, grounds maintenance care program; or horticultural center; prepares annual budget requests for district maintenance programs.
• Interviews and selects new employees; provides orientation and training; recommends disciplinary action.
• Prepares progress reports and special reports as necessary; keeps records of work performed.
• Performs related work as required.

• Plans and directs maintenance program in assigned park district; tours park areas to inspect conditions of landscape, turf, drainage ditches, and sanitary facilities.
• Directs a staff in the custodial care of building and related facilities; prepares annual budget requests for district custodial program.
• Determines mowing frequency, areas to be cleared and refurbished, starting dates for seeding and grass-cutting, all regular and unusual maintenance and custodial functions, and staffing levels for special events.
• Receives and reviews non-routine work requests; determines their priority and makes assignments of priority work to subordinate supervisors.

• Plans and directs maintenance program in assigned park district; develops and implements long range arboricultural plans for park and street tree programs including tree maintenance and preservation as well as planning a program designed to improve the diversification of tree species.
• Inspects trees that have difficult and unusual tree diseases; makes diagnoses and prescribes treatment or care to be used.
• Consults with officials of city departments and public utilities on the advisability of removing or trimming trees, which may interfere with construction projects; reviews tree inspection reports and determines whether trees should be removed, pruned or treated.
• Reviews and approves applications submitted by tree maintenance companies for licenses to maintain and remove trees throughout the city; insures that work conforms to overall arboricultural plan.
• Coordinates tree crew work and park objectives with the activities of city agencies, private utilities, tree contractors and community groups; enforces City codes concerning the conservation implanting of street trees.
• Reviews contractors' plot plans involving new construction or renovating; prepares street tree plan for the construction site showing the location size and kinds of trees to be planted in newly constructed or renovated areas.
• Investigates reports of damage caused by falling trees or trees damaged by motor vehicles; prepares reports describing damage; confers with the Law Department concerning legal action brought against or in favor of the department; selects trees from private nurseries for the planting program.

• Coordinates with subordinate supervisors the planting of bulbs and annuals for spring plantings and the scheduling of blooming time to correspond with departmental demand for flowers.
• Develops and implements horticulture center policy and procedures; prepares recommendations for capital improvements, new functions and program changes.
• Coordinates the selection, propagation and distribution of greenhouse plants for use throughout Fairmount Park and for display at the horticultural center.
• Coordinates all maintenance needs for mechanical systems needed to maintain the proper environmental balance.
• Coordinates all horticultural center activities; supervises the maintenance of the arboretum including the classification, labeling and recording of all plant material; oversees the Greenland Nursery growing fields, greenhouses, cold frames and equipment.

KNOWLEDGE OF:


GROUNDS SPECIALTY

• the methods, materials, tools, and practices used in the custodial care of buildings and related facilities.
• the characteristics and most efficient use of a wide variety of mechanical equipment used in grounds maintenance and related work.
• the principles and practices of turf and grounds maintenance.

ARBORICULTURE SPECIALTY

• the classification and structure of trees and their root systems.
• the methods, practices, tools and materials used in the care and maintenance of trees.
• common tree diseases and infestations and of the proper methods for their treatment.
• the variety and types of trees that can be planted safely in an urban environment under the climatic conditions of the areas.
• safety hazards and precautions required in tree work.

HORTICULTURE CENTER SPECIALTY

• principles and practices of ornamental horticulture.
• principles and practices of floriculture.
• conditions for propagating and growing various plants, shrubs, and trees in a controlled.
• greenhouse environment or nursery.
• greenhouse operations including climatic control.
• pest management.
SKILL IN:

ARBORICULTURE SPECIALTY

• diagnosing tree diseases and prescribing treatment.

HORTICULTURE CENTER SPECIALTY

• implementing ornamental designs for horticultural displays.
• implementing and coordinating the activities of the City's horticultural center.
ABILITY TO:

BOTH SPECIALTIES

• plan and coordinate a district-wide maintenance program in the area of specialization.
• plan work in order to maximize utilization of personnel, equipment, and materials.
• prepare and maintain work records and reports.
• plan, assign, and supervise through subordinate supervisors the work of a large number of maintenance employees engaged in the maintenance of either park grounds, trees or the horticultural center.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors, and the general public.
• present ideas effectively both orally and in writing.

EDUCATION
• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE

GROUNDS AND HORTICULTURAL CENTER SPECIALTY

• Two years of grounds care and/or horticulture work.

ARBORICULTURE SPECIALTY

• Two years of experience in the care and maintenance or inspection of trees.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

GROUNDS SPECIALTY

• Two years of experience supervising a crew engaged in grounds care and/or horticulture work.

ARBORICULTURE SPECIALTY

• Two years experience directing the activities of a crew engaged in an extensive tree care and maintenance program.

HORTICULTURE CENTER SPECIALTY

• Two years of experience supervising a green house or nursery operation dealing with the propagation of ornamental plants and/or trees and shrubs.
Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department, which has included completion of an eighty-hour course in grounds maintenance for the Grounds Maintenance specialty.

CLASSES THAT TYPICALLY MEET THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Grounds Maintenance Worker Crew Chief
• Grounds and Horticulture Center Specialties
• Tree Maintenance Crew Chief
• Arboriculture Specialty

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

• Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment, if required by work assignment.