Landscape Crew Member

To perform a wide variety of landscape maintenance functions related to but not limited to mowing, trimming, irrigation, edging, pruning landscape install, and snow removal (in snow markets).

The essential general duties and responsibilities are listed below.  Other duties may be assigned.

General:

• Able to work in and around various landscaping settings including direct contact with various plant and landscaping materials and exposure to various dust, noise, and weather conditions
• Communicate with lead people progress of tasks.
• Driver’s license preferred

Training:

• Learn aspects of installation work and assist where needed or assigned
• Learn and perform basic planting skills
• Prune trees, shrubs, and vines to encourage healthy growth.
• Able to identify by common names 25 frequently used plants that appear on the CLT plant list (bedding flowers, ground cover, shrubs, perennials, trees, and turf).
• Guy wiring of trees.
• Able to identify, by common name, 5 frequently seen weeds in planting beds
• Recognize plant material in stress or in a problem state.
• Able to identify by common name 5 frequently seen garden pests.
• Able to differentiate weed grasses from desirable turf grasses in lawn areas.
• Understand and complete the following basic irrigation repairs; sprinkler head replacement, sprinkler head arc and radius adjustment, lateral line repairs.
• Smith Driving (if in driving capacity for Mainscape)

Equipment:

• Able to operate landscape maintenance and construction hand tools and light equipment with the skill to satisfactorily perform the duties assigned
• Report equipment in need of repair
• Identify broken, poorly running, and misused equipment, fill out appropriate repair tag

Safety:

• Understand and practice safety in all work circumstance.
• To wear appropriate PPE at all times

Appearance:

• To have a neat and clean appearance.
• Conduct yourself in a professional manor at all times.
• Wear Mainscape uniforms while at work (hats, shirt, pants and jackets)
• Steel toed boots recommended (mandatory on customer sites where required and when required by job task)

Category specific essential duties and responsibilities as they may be assigned by your supervisor:

Mowing:

• Push mowers
• Walk behind with Velke
• Zero turn riding mowers
• String Trimmers
• Blowers
• Edger’s
• Trash/Debris Pickup
• Proper set up / dispersal of crew members on job site

Pruning:

• Ladders
• Gas powered Hedge trimmers
• Loppers / hand pruners
• Chain saws
• Ability to recognize plants that need special pruning needs/ times

Bed Care:

• Ability to properly apply pre-emergent, selective and non-selective herbicides
• Ability to identify desirable plants from weeds in a specific area
• Pulling and spraying of weeds
• Mixing of chemicals

Landscape Installation:

• To know how safely lift / move heavy items
• Knowledge of how to install plants properly
• Ability to apply granular fertilizers after proper training under supervision
• Thorough knowledge of plant varieties and cultivars
• Appropriate set up of crew on job site
• Knowledge of proper sequence of landscape installation

Annual Flowers

• Identification of plants
• Watering and fertilization of plants
• Checking plants for insects/diseases
• Loading and fill procedures
• Installation

Fertilization (in applicable markets):

• Ability to apply granular fertilizers after proper training under supervision.
• To be proficient at using and calibrating the Z-cart
• Ability to apply herbicides, fungicide and insecticide

Irrigation (in applicable markets):

• Replacing Heads / nozzles.
• Dig and clear drain/irrigation trenches.
• Work with solvents and glues.
• Tracking wires.
• Problem solving.
• Proper use of trenching equipment.

Cleaning:

• Thorough knowledge of proper PPE
• Ability to safely use cleaning supplies and solvents
• Ability to work in residential and commercial areas

Snow Removal (in applicable markets):

• Ability to safely use snow removal equipment
• Knowledge of safe driving techniques in snow and ice conditions
• Knowledge of appropriate clothing for the weather conditions that he/ she will be exposed to for long periods of time
• Ability to shovel snow, lifting 25#’s

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To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility and duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Age Requirements:

• Employee must be at least 18 years of age and meet all applicable state-mandated labor laws

Experience:

• 1-year experience in landscape industry preferred

Knowledge of:

• Mainscape Standards of Excellence

Ability to:

• Comprehend instructions
• Use assigned tools and equipment in proper/safe manner
• Become proficient in the use of basic maintenance hand tools: leaf rake, broom, hoe, shovel, cultivator, water hose, quick coupler key, hand pruners, hedge shears and refuse tote.
• Become proficient in the use of basic power equipment used for landscape maintenance: hedge trimmers, line trimmers, 21" lawn mower, and leaf blower.
• Learn and perform basic planting skills
• Assist in keeping the job site tidy/safe.
• Become proficient in loading and unloading of truck and trailer used in landscape maintenance operations
• Perform regular safety inspections on vehicle and trailer.
• Adhere to company policies, standards and safety guidelines
• Work with other employees as a team
• Meet or exceed company production rates and standards set forth

Certificates, Licenses and/or Registrations:

• Pesticide License, preferred (Fertilization)

Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate w/ lead people regarding progress of tasks

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
  • Have full range of mobility in upper and lower body in order to be able to work in various positions including, but not limited to, stooping, standing, bending over, sitting, kneeling, squatting, and walking for extended periods of time.
  • Be able to reach over head with hands and arms; climb or balance;
  • Be able to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. 
  • Be able to lift, pull, and push materials and equipment to complete assigned job tasks.
  • Be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds regularly and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. 

• • Maintain physical fitness level necessary to complete assigned job tasks.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is can be subjected to strenuous work in adverse weather conditions.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually high and requires ear protection while operating equipment.

Before an employee can advance to Crew Leader, they must have their Supervisor provide written verification of having completed the following:

• Employee may not have missed any days of work, unexcused by supervisor, within the previous 6 months.
• Employee has arrived before or at the time set by their Supervisor every day within the previous 6 months.
• Employee has arrived to work in clothes fitting the Mainscape dress code policy every day within the previous 6 months.
• Employee must have completed training for all applicable service categories (See Crew Member Training Guide).
• Employee has demonstrated the ability to perform all essential job responsibilities and duties listed above.
• Employee must have the recommendation of their Supervisor to advance to the new position.