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Horticultural Program Specialist
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Position Number: 5101972
Location: Fresno, CA
Position Type: Business - Accounting

Horticultural Program Specialist

Salary: $56,887.00 - $69,965.00 Annually
Location: Fresno City College, CA
Job Type: Permanent
Division: FCC Math, Science & Engineering
Job Number: 2024017
Closing: 4/3/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

General Purpose

Under general supervision, oversees and maintains the horticultural resources of Fresno City College (FCC) including the botanical garden, greenhouse and koi pond; conducts walking tours of the garden and tree collection for the public and student groups; provides instructional assistance to faculty and students in biology, botany and adaptive horticulture courses of study; and performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

Oversees and maintains FCC's horticultural resources including the botanical garden, greenhouse and koi pond; performs and oversees maintenance and care of the botanical gardens and plant collections including native plant and cactus collections; cleans and makes changes in the gardens, propagating plants from cuttings to add to the collection; prunes, weeds and waters; follows specialized watering schedules for the cactus collection; monitors pest infestations and applies herbicides; pots and prepares plant specimens for decorative purposes at presentations and special events.

Maintains the koi pond and koi collection; follows feeding schedules; cleans, maintains and performs minor repairs on pump, skimmer and filter; confers with community experts to diagnosis and resolve any unusual issues with the koi collection.

Oversees participates in greenhouse operations; maintains and propagates new vegetation; mixes, orders and maintains growth mixtures and planting supplies; maintains and makes minor repairs to greenhouse facilities and cooling systems and to irrigation systems; refers major maintenance and repair to the greenhouse and irrigation systems to Building and Grounds Services for action.

Prepares, sets up and performs demonstrations of biology and botany principles such as photosynthesis, plant propagation, plant types and others; prepares biological specimens for classroom use; prepares flora and fauna displays for use in plant identification; responds to student questions regarding concepts, methods and techniques; provides clear and concise explanations and demonstrations to facilitate student understanding and reinforce instructor teaching; assists faculty and students during greenhouse-based laboratory activities; monitors students as they receive hands-on learning in the greenhouse and botanical gardens.

Demonstrates the proper and safe use of laboratory equipment and the proper use, storage and disposal of pesticides, chemicals and other hazardous materials; maintains and updates Materials Safety Data Sheet notebooks as required by law; maintains accident report guidance documents and files of accident reports; arranges for pickup of hazardous waste.

Stocks and replenishes an inventory of materials and consumables; tracks supplies usage; prepares purchase requisitions to ensure sufficient materials for laboratory, greenhouse and botanic gardens use; arranges for major repair or replacement of tools and equipment.

Participates in selecting, training and providing day-to-day lead work direction to student assistants, aides and volunteers; assigns and monitors work for completeness, accuracy and conformance with District, department and legal/regulatory requirements and standards; provides information, instruction and training on work procedures and technical, legal and regulatory and safety requirements; assists in ensuring a fair, open and inclusive work environment in accordance with the District's mission goals and values.

Leads walking tours of the gardens for the public, school groups and FCC class groups; provides information on tree and plant species and their origins.

Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the District.

OTHER DUTIES

Provides for the care and maintenance of live animals and plant species.

Serves as advisor for the biology club; assists the club with meetings and club functions.

Maintains and cares for plantscaping in FCC offices and campus buildings; replaces plants periodically to promote continuing plant health.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Principles, methods, techniques and operations applicable to a botanic garden and large greenhouse, including materials and equipment used and design and maintenance of irrigation systems.

Characteristics and methods of propagation of nursery and arboretum plants including proper soil preparation and control of plant and soil pests.

Weed and pest control methods, safety procedures and herbicide/pesticide products suitable for use.

Subject-matter areas in the area of assignment including, where applicable, theory, concepts, scientific fundamentals, methods and processes, tools, equipment and instrumentation used in the scientific discipline.

Uses and operations of computers with standard business and specialized software and methods and procedures for diagnosing and resolving minor hardware and software problems in a laboratory environment.

Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Office practices and procedures, including recordkeeping.

District budgeting and purchasing policies, practices and procedures.

District environmental safety policies and procedures and safety methods and practices applicable to the assigned laboratory including the safe mixing, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals and biohazards in accordance with state and federal requirements.

General methods and practices of student instruction and tutoring applicable to a science laboratory environment.

Skills and Abilities to:

Plan, organize and oversee operations and care of botanical gardens and plant collections.

Propagate plants in a nursery from seeds and cuttings and by grafting and budding.

Assist faculty and instructors in planning, organizing and preparing classroom and laboratory demonstrations, experiments and classroom/laboratory materials.

Demonstrate and walk students and others through operations of specialized equipment, tools, hardware and software in biology and botany laboratories and in hands-on settings in the greenhouse and botanic garden.

Organize, set priorities and exercise sound, independent judgment within areas of responsibility.

Assign and inspect the work of student assistants.

Train, demonstrate, inspect, enforce and monitor safe work practices and safety compliance by faculty, student assistants and students in a laboratory or greenhouse environment with hazardous chemicals and biohazards.

Provide effective information and guidance to students in subject-matter areas; accurately, thoroughly and clearly answer students' subject-matter, equipment-use and technology questions.

Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend or adopt effective courses of action.

Understand, interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations including OSHA.

Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Understand and follow written and oral instructions.

Operate a computer and use standard business software.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

An associate degree or completion of a certificate program in horticulture or another relevant field, and at least three years of progressively responsible experience in horticulture or nursery management; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program.

A valid pesticide applicator's license issued by the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulations.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to stand, walk and talk or hear outdoors, by telephone or in meetings; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate controls and equipment and reach with hands and arms. Employees are frequently required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and over 100 pounds with assistance. Employees are regularly required to hear signal warnings and differentiate operating equipment sounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret people and situations; deal with changing deadlines and frequent interruptions; and interact with faculty, staff, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees work under office, laboratory, greenhouse and outdoor conditions. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, work on slippery and uneven surfaces and are exposed to fumes and toxic or caustic chemicals. Employees are required to wear personal protective equipment for certain assignments. The employee may be required to travel to locations other than assigned work site and to adjust to work schedule changes and requirements to work overtime.

Assessment Process

APPLICATION SUBMISSION
To move forward in the selection process, you must complete an online application through our web site at http://www.schooljobs.com/careers/scccd. Please attach to your application a copy of your degree or transcripts (including when degree was awarded) or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may also be uploaded but cannot be used in lieu of a completed application.

ONCE YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR APPLICATION YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE REVISIONS TO YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS.
When completing the application, please make sure you include ALL current and previous employment in the Work Experience section of the application and complete ALL fields, including the name and contact information for your supervisors. Experience that is included in the resume but not in the Work Experience section of the application may not be considered for the purpose of determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

All required documents must be submitted by the applicant. Personnel Commission staff will not upload your documents for you. The State Center Community College District does not accept letters of recommendation for classified positions. Please do not attempt to attach letters of recommendation to your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW AND ASSESSMENTS
The application review process includes an evaluation of training and experience based on given application information and answers to supplemental questionnaire. Only the most qualified applicants, who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process.

The assessment process will also include an online competency assessment (40% weight) and an oral interview assessment (60% weight). Of those achieving a passing score on the competency assessment, only the most qualified candidates will be invited to the oral interview assessment. Passing score is 75% out of 100% on each assessment section.

INITIAL ASSESSMENT TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED AS FOLLOWS:

COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT: APRIL 11, 2024

ORAL ASSESSMENT: APRIL 18, 2024

The assessment process / assessment date is subject to change as needs dictate. All communication regarding this process will be delivered via email to the address listed on your application.

ELIGIBILITY LIST
Candidates who attain a passing score on each part of the assessment will be placed in rank order on a Fresno City College Open-Competitive List. Using the same process, a separate Fresno City College Promotional List will be established and both Lists will be used concurrently. Unless otherwise indicated, the eligibility list will be used to fill current vacancies in this classification at Fresno City College only for at least six months.
PASSING THE ASSESSMENTS AND BEING PLACED ON THE ELIGIBILITY LIST DO NOT GUARANTEE AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Individuals with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation in the selection process must inform the State Center Community College District Personnel Commission Department in writing no later than the filing date stated on the announcement. Those applicants needing such accommodations should document this request including an explanation as to the type and extent of accommodation needed to participate in the selection process.

State Center Community College District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of State Center Community College District to provide all persons with equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, religion or similar factors as defined by law. We are a Title V employer.

To apply, visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/scccd/jobs/4427778/horticultural-program-specialist