7N74
PAY RANGE: N16
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
(Grounds)
(Arboriculture)
(Horticultural Center)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is parks and recreation or water landscape and grounds maintenance work at the second supervisory level planning, directing and coordinating through subordinate supervisors one of the following: a district-wide landscape improvement program; or a horticultural program for the Parks and Recreation horticultural center; or green stormwater infrastructure program for the Water Department. 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 an administrative superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)
1. The positions must plan and direct, through subordinate supervisors, a tree maintenance or grounds maintenance care program within a park district or horticultural program for the Parks and Recreation horticultural center; or green stormwater infrastructure maintenance program for the Water Department.
2. The positions must be located in the Department of Parks and Recreation or Water Department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
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; schedules repairs and maintenance at recreation facilities; makes certain necessary paperwork is completed; makes certain ice rink is in working order.
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.
Meets with community groups, athletic associations and citizens to identify problems, discuss requests and complaints regarding Parks and Recreation facilities.
Maintains records and prepares reports relating to personnel, supplies, equipment and day to day operations.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Assignment
Schedules repairs and maintenance of GSI facilities with subordinate supervisors or other Water department units as needed; uses work asset management computerized program to schedule and track maintenance tasks; determines frequency of routine and special maintenance; receives non-routine requests and determines their priority and makes assignments to subordinate staff; maintains records and prepares reports relating to personnel, supplies, equipment, and maintenance and activities; utilizes computer devices, email and department software and information management systems in assignment, review and reporting on work activities.
Prepares annual budget requests for GSI maintenance programs;
Meets with community groups, organizations, city departments, regulatory agencies and citizens to identify problems and/or to address requests and complaints regarding GSI facilities.
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.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
ALL SPECIALTIES
· supervisory methods and techniques
· the methods, materials, tools, and practices used in the custodial care of buildings, related facilities and adjacent grounds
· the characteristics and most efficient use of a wide variety of mechanical equipment used in grounds maintenance and related work
· the occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in the work
· the principles and practices of turf and grounds maintenance
· the principles and practices of green stormwater infrastructure grounds and facilities maintenance for the position in the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Assignment only of the Grounds specialty
· invasive vegetation management for the position in the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Assignment only of the Grounds 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.
· 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:
· diagnosing tree diseases and prescribing treatment.
· implementing ornamental designs for horticultural displays.
· implementing and coordinating the activities of the City’s horticultural center.
ABILITY TO:
· 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 in the Parks and Recreation Department or GSI maintenance in the Water Department.
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors, and the general public.
· present ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 6/18.)
EDUCATION:
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Two years of grounds care and/or horticulture work.
Two years of experience in the care and maintenance or inspection of trees.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience supervising a crew engaged in grounds care and/or horticulture work in park areas or supervisory grounds maintenance work in an assigned recreation district or for an assigned water green stormwater infrastructure maintenance program.
Two years’ experience supervising the activities of a crew engaged in an extensive tree care and maintenance program.
OR
Two years of technical arboriculture experience, assisting the contract administrator, in the inspection and monitoring of tree planting, trimming and removal projects.
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 Office of Human Resources, which has included the specific experience.
CLASSES THAT TYPICALLY MEET THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Grounds and Horticulture Center Specialties Only
Recreation District Caretaker Supervisor 1 (7D64)
Grounds Maintenance Worker Crew Chief (7N73)
Arboriculture Specialty Only
Tree Maintenance Crew Chief (7N25)
Park Projects Technician (Arboriculture Specialty) (7N29)
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES
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.
Spec. Revision:
CSC- 3/12
Ad. Board- 4/12
Spec. Revision:
CSC- 1/14
Ad. Board- 3/14
Spec. Revision:
CSC - 6/15
Ad. Board- 6/15
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 5/18
Ad. Board – 6/18
JL