City and County of San Francisco

Under direction, participates in or leads the performance of a wide variety of plant propagation activities involving the control of environment factors in a nursery, greenhouse or conservatory.

Class 3428 Nursery Specialist is distinguished from 3430 Chief Nursery Specialist in that it performs, or acts as a lead for a group of employees performing, a variety of nursery activities whereas the 3430 Chief Nursery Specialist supervises subordinate classes, performs of more difficult and complex work, and has responsibility as a primary resource for unique problems.

None

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Participates in or leads the performance of a variety of nursery activities; makes and sets cuttings; makes grafts; sows seed; transplants seedlings or rooted cuttings to pots or flats; gathers seed; lays out beds for field crops; pots and repots plants.

2. Sterilizes and mixes soils to be used in plant propagation activities; prepares and applies fungicides and insecticides to be used in the nursery: applies fertilizers to crops when needed; prunes and stakes nursery stock.

3. Makes necessary adjustments regarding ventilation, temperature humidity and other environmental factors affecting plant materials; participates in or leads the irrigation and cultivation of all crops.

4. Prepares floral displays and fills orders for greenhouse stock: takes inventory of stock, maintains accurate and detailed records of plant propagation activities: inspects nurseries, greenhouses or conservatories for proper repair, and may make minor repairs as needed.

Knowledge of: Plant and ornamental horticulture, the principles of floricultural display; soil mixtures and fertilizers for specialized plants and the effects of environment on plant life.

Ability and Skill to: Plan, inspect and lead the work of auxiliary employees; effectively execute a program of plant propagation and display; make effective presentations of conservatory activities before interested groups.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:


Experience:

Two (2) years of professional experience in the propagation and culture of plants in a commercial or municipal nursery, greenhouse or conservatory.

License and Certification:

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License; AND

Candidates who become eligible for appointment will be required to obtain a Qualified Applicator’s Certificate (QAC) or a Qualified Applicator’s License (QAL) from the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Incumbents who fail to obtain this certificate or license within a six (6) month time period from the date of appointment will be separated from employment.

Substitution:

Completion of 30 semester / 45 quarter units in Horticulture, Agronomy or a related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in Horticulture, Agronomy or a related field may be substituted for the required two (2) years of experience.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: may occasionally work in inclement weather, lift floral exhibits and/or move plants of moderate weight.

ORIGINATION DATE: Retitled 07/01/1977

AMENDED DATE: 03/14/16

REASON FOR AMENDMENT: To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities defined in the most recent job analysis conducted for this job code.

BUSINESS UNIT(S): COMMN SFMTA SFCCD SFUSD

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.