<ydsavio@ucdavis.edu>

Hi, All--

Job Opportunity

For more info and to apply, contact Maribelle Franco directly at
323-221-9944, extension 181

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GARDEN SPECIALIST - LOS ANGELES RIVER CENTER & GARDENS

MOUNTAINS RECREATION & CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
Los Angeles River Center and Gardens
570 West Avenue Twenty-six, Suite 100
Los Angeles, California 90065
Phone (323) 221-9944 Fax (323) 221-9934
A public entity of the State of California exercising joint powers of the
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation
and Park District, and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District pursuant
to Section 6500 et seq. of the Government Code

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is recruiting a
Garden Specialist to
oversee, develop, and maintain planting areas as well as maintain
irrigation, fountains, and other
park elements at the MRCA's Los Angeles River Center and Gardens.
The employee will perform a variety of skilled gardening and maintenance
work. He/she must be
able to work as a crew member as well as independently. Must have good
judgment in decisionmaking
and be able to make regular progress on tasks independently.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
. Install and maintain planting throughout park grounds. Determine
maintenance needs with daily
inspection of all areas. Plant, water, weed, fertilize, and spray plants,
shrubs and trees.
. Develop and execute seasonal planting plans for park grounds and
courtyards.
. Purchase and select supplies, locate suppliers and purchase plants as
needed.
. Identify problems such as diseases, weeds, insect pests, and user damage.
Set planting care
schedules. Apply pesticides and fertilizers as needed.
. Provide proper upkeep of courtyards, fountains, sidewalks, driveways,
parking lots, picnic lawns,
and other grounds features, including daily removal of leaves and debris
from all areas. Pick up
litter and trash, empty trash cans, remove graffiti.
. Maintain and adjust irrigation systems. Diagnose and repair irrigation
systems, clean sprinkler
heads. Maintain and clean park fountains. Maintain buildings, picnic
grounds, and restrooms in
good condition as necessary.
. Operate and maintain light equipment such as mowers, edgers, blowers, and
brush cutters, and
hand tools.
. Follow and enforce operating procedures for safety regulations and quality
control.
. May supervise volunteers, court crews, seasonal workers, and youth crews.
Train employees in
horticultural practices. Review employees' work to evaluate quality and
quantity.
. Assist visitors to the park.
. Follow written and verbal directions.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
. 3 years of experience dealing with plant care, grounds maintenance,
protection of flora and
fauna, and public facility care
. Detailed knowledge of growth habits and patterns, care requirements, and
special needs for both
exotic ornamentals and native California plants
. Training in arboriculture, horticulture and irrigation systems, pesticide
certification
. Ability to work independently and with others; work safely using hand and
power tools; perform
minor mechanical repairs; perform heavy physical labor, including lifting
and carrying items
weighing up to 90 pounds for a distance up to 50 feet
. Outgoing individual with experience dealing with the public
. High School diploma with training in natural resources or closely related
field
. Valid California Drivers License with a satisfactory driving record
. Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification for CPR and First Aid
Certificate within three
months of hire
. Must be fluent in English. Proficiency in Spanish is desirable but not
required
PAY: $16.15 - $19.62 per hour
REQUIRED HOURS: 40 hours a week, possible weekend schedule
TO APPLY, CONTACT: Maribelle Franco, (323) 221-9944, extension 181

-------------------------------------

Ciao for now.

Yvonne Savio
Common Ground Garden Program Manager
University of California Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County
PO Box 22255
4800 E. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90022
Phone:   323-260-3407
Fax:       323-881-0067
Email:    ydsavio@ucdavis.edu
Website: http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Common_Ground_Garden_Program/
Master Gardener Email Gardening helpline:  mglosangeleshelpline@ucdavis.edu
Master Gardener Phone Gardening helpline:  323-260-3238

2007 Lifetime Achievement Award, Los Angeles Community Garden Council
2007 Certificate of Commendation, Los Angeles Unified School District
2006 Certificate of Appreciation, City of Los Angeles
2004 "Feeding the Hungry" Garden Crusader Award, Gardener's
Supply Company

Since 1978, the Common Ground Garden program has helped Los Angeles County
residents to garden, grow their own food, and healthfully prepare it.  Our
targeted audience and priority are to serve limited-resource residents and
those traditionally underrepresented.  By training community volunteers, we
empower neighborhoods to create their own solutions.  Our Master Gardener
volunteers work primarily with community gardens, school gardens, seniors,
and homeless and battered women's shelters.

In 2007, 179 Master Gardeners volunteered 8,037 hours serving 64,262
low-income gardeners in Los Angeles County at 31 community gardens, 48
school gardens, 13 shelter gardens, 2 senior gardens, and 14 fairs and
farmers markets.