See Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist 1.

Positions in this level perform multiple duties relating to the care and maintenance of grounds, greenhouses, nurseries, or gardening programs. Positions may be involved in sprinkler irrigation and the maintenance of a grounds maintenance program. Positions may also manage a small gardening program or a major division in a large gardening program. Propagates and cares for trees, shrubs, and forage plants. Performs soil analysis, receives and ships plants, maintains growth records on propagations.

Maintains adequate supplies and materials inventory;

Diagnoses and treats plant diseases and pests;

Prepares bedding areas by sterilizing and mixing soils, cleaning bedding tables and sterilizing pots and containers used in nursery culture;

Propagates plants by cutting, seeding, grafting, layering and budding;

Plans, prepares, plants, feeds, waters, prunes and maintains flower beds and landscaped areas;

Analyzes soil for PH content; takes tissue samples for analysis;

May repair, maintain and operate a variety of grounds mechanical equipment, systems, and apparatus;

Installs, maintains, repairs, and adjusts various sprinkler systems and control devices;

May supervise, direct, or lead other employees and helpers;

Formulates and presents recommendations for layout or improvements of grounds;

Converts quotas of seedlings, bouquets, potted plants, and cut flower arrangements to square footage of greenhouse and cold frame planting and to species and quantities of seeds; submits requests for all necessary supplies and equipment;

May participate in formulating annual operating plans for large greenhouse and takes principal responsibility for executing plans schedules planning dates and other work to coincide with seasons and plant life cycles;

May supervise lower-level staff.

to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Positions typically require graduation from high school or equivalent and at least two years’ experience gardening or in grounds maintenance.

Equivalent education/experience.

New class consolidates 5130 Nursery Worker, 5463 Sprinkler Maintenance Worker, 37010 Youth Corps Crew Supervisor – Ecology, 90120 Gardener 2; adopted January 1, 2006.
Revise class. General revision; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Base range salary adjustment adopted June 13, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.
Base range salary adjustment, revised definition, typical work, desirable qualifications; adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Base range increase from 36 to 38; adopted June 23, 2025; effective July 1, 2025.