Job Description

Parks & Recreation

Gardener

Posting Expires: June 9, 2026

Salary: $21.58 hourly

General Description and Classification Standards:

Performs skilled gardening work, semi-skilled and unskilled maintenance. Duties may include, but are not limited to: landscape and watering design, lawn maintenance, planting, pruning, fertilizing, pruning of various plant materials and the maintenance of appropriate tools in equipment used for completion of work. May also complete extermination of gophers, rodents, snakes and other pests as needed to maintain appearance and safety of assigned area.

Supervision Received

Works under direct supervision and follows standardized procedures and written instructions to accomplish assigned tasks.

Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesThese are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned.

Maintains plantings: plants, waters, prunes, trims, fertilizes, transplants, propagates, and cultivates perennials, annuals, trees, and shrubs; mulches plant beds with gravel, chips, weed cloth, etc.; identifies hazardous trees and other plants and recommends or provides removal.
Maintains lawn and turf areas: fertilizes, aerates, and mows lawns and turf areas; prepares and renovates lawns and turf areas with top dressing; screens soil, adds amendments, and adds soil to terrains, as necessary.
Provides pest control: sprays chemicals for weeds, damaging insects, and fungus; catches and transports or exterminates rodents, gophers, raccoons, rattlesnakes, and other pests; applies integrated pest management practices.
Performs grounds maintenance: hauls debris, maintains rock walls, provides rough mowing, adds gravel to roads, pathways, and walkways; clears brush; picks up and removes litter; cleans and stocks restrooms; empties garbage cans and dumpsters and changes trash liners; removes graffiti; rakes and cleans campsites; maintains picnic areas; opens and closes gates and buildings.
Provides landscape and water system design, installation, and maintenance: seeks to preserve the historic character of the assigned area; designs, installs, renovates, and reconfigures watering systems, irrigates lawns using drip, sprinklers, and various types of irrigation methods; troubleshoots valves, impact heads, wiring, and broken pipes; documents the location of water lines, etc.
Operates and maintains a variety of equipment, such as vehicles, mowers, tractors, aerators, hand and power tools, rakes, edgers, weed eaters, chain saws, chippers, sprayers, etc.
Performs administrative tasks, such as ordering and purchasing supplies, preparing reports, writing up, monitoring and enforcing contracts and lease agreements, completing fixed asset inventories, etc., and acting as Park Supervisor.
Follows standardized procedures and written instructions to accomplish assigned tasks.
May oversee temporary or contract workers as needed.
May perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesThis is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list.

Knowledge of: gardening methods and practices.
Knowledge of plant diseases and pests.
Knowledge of plant materials and mulches.
Knowledge of landscape and water system design.
Skill in: the use and maintenance of lawn care tools and equipment.
Ability to: operate and maintain a variety of tools and equipment.
Ability to establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse public, with a focus on quality service to internal and external customers.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
1 year of experience in general gardening work.
Drivers license.

Preferred Education & Experience

High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and 2 years' experience in general gardening work.

Licensures and Certifications

Must obtain State of Georgia Pesticide license required within 6 months of employment.

Essential Capabilities And Work Environment

Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with job.

City of Atlanta

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