Scientists In Parks Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $42,000.00 - $53,160.22 Annually
Location : City of Roanoke Public Works - 1802 Courtland Road NE Roanoke, VA
Job Type: Full Time Non-Exempt
Job Number: 03353
Department: Parks & Recreation
Division: Landscape Management
Opening Date: 06/12/2026
Closing Date: 7/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
The City of Roanoke is seeking a Landscape Gardener to perform skilled landscape and turf maintenance including planting, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, watering and spraying a wide variety of flowers, bulbs, hanging baskets, shrubs, trees, ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses and other types of plant material as well as mowing, weed-eating, edging, leaf mulching, aerating, fertilizing, and seeding turf and lawn areas. The successful candidate will install and renovate landscapes and turf; assist in transplanting/propagating seedlings, cuttings, slips and plants in a greenhouse and/or field beds, including preparing soil as directed by supervisor; possess strong plant identification, characteristic and maintenance knowledge; keep parks, greenways and green spaces clean by removing fallen limbs, debris and trash; and operate heavy and light equipment for snow/ice removal. They also must have some knowledge of the operation of a wide variety of mowers, industry specific power equipment and vehicles; the ability to skillfully operate and do routine daily service and maintenance on this equipment is preferred; be able to learn to operate other equipment such as front-end loader, forklift, bobcat and tractor; the ability to perform word processing, record keeping and report preparation on a computer and effectively use basic office equipment including computers, calculators, copiers, cell phones and mobile radios; and the ability to work independently or as team member.
Associates degree in horticulture, plant science, or related field preferred or horticulture certification from applicable program, or experience and/or training in horticulture, landscape maintenance or related field; or equivalent combination or education or experience is required. Must be able to obtain a Class B Commercial Learner's Permit License with air brake and tanker endorsements prior to starting work, and be able to obtain a full CDL license within 3 months. Must be able to obtain a Registered Technician Spraying License within 3 months and the Fertilizer Applicator Certification within 12 months.
The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.
To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.
This is a non-exempt position.
Examples of Duties
SUMMARY
Performs skilled landscape and turf maintenance in parks, greenways and other city properties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Performs skilled landscape maintenance (planting, renovating, pruning, weeding, cleaning, mulching, watering and fertilizing) on a wide variety of ornamental trees, shrubs, grasses, ground covers, perennials and annuals
• Possess strong plant identification and maintenance knowledge at different phases and growth
• Assists in transplanting/propagating seedlings, cuttings, slips and plants in a greenhouse and/or field beds, including preparing soil
• Applies pesticides, herbicides and insecticides as directed and completes required documentation
• Performs skilled turf maintenance including mowing, weed-eating, edging, aerating, fertilizing, seeding and leaf mulching
• Assists in cleaning park, greenway and other city property by removing trash, limbs, debris, mud, etc
• Performs routine minor facilities and equipment maintenance
• Operates a wide variety of mowers, industry specific power equipment and vehicles.
• Operates heavy and/or light equipment during snow/ice removal operations
• Assists in the set-up/tear down for city events in parks, greenways and other properties
• Must be able to effectively operate basic office equipment including computers, calculators, copiers, cell phones and mobile radios

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
May supervise seasonal staff.
Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential 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.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Associates degree in horticulture, plant science, or related field preferred or horticulture certification from applicable program, or experience and/or training in horticulture, landscape maintenance or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Supplemental Information
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondences, and memos. Ability to write correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to citizens, and other employees of the organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to calculate fertilizer and pesticide application rates. Ability to calibrate spraying equipment correctly.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions as well as landscape drawings and plans. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Minimum Class B Commercial Driver's Learner's Permit with Tanker Endorsement
Must be able to obtain, within 6 months, a Registered Technician Pesticide License
Must be able to obtain, within 1 year, a Fertilizer Applicator Certification
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.
Overview of Benefits for Full-Time Employees:
Paid leave is time off from work available for use by an employee upon approval by supervisor. The first 24 consecutive leave hours for any illness must be charged to paid leave with additional time charged to extended illness leave. Paid leave for employees of the city shall accrue as follows:
Years of Service Hours Per Month Fire 24-hr shift Employees
0 - 4 12 19.75
5 - 9 14 22.75
10- 14 16 25.50
15 - 19 17 26.75
20 - 24 18 28.75
25 + 20 32
Extended Illness Leave: shall accrue at the rate of six (6) hours per month. Fire suppression employees shall accrue extended illness leave at nine (9) hours per month.
Funeral Leave: for family, up to three consecutive days.
Military Leave: Twenty-one work days per Federal fiscal year.
Holidays: The City provides 96 hours of annual paid holiday time.
Mental Health & Well-Being Leave: Employees receive 24 hours (Fire Suppression receives 34 hours) of Mental Health & Well-Being Leave upon hire. Certification of mental health diagnosis is not required and leave will not be paid out upon separation.
Shared Leave Bank (effective 1/1/2023): Voluntary membership for full-time Employees who will be out for an extended period of time and has exhausted all other forms of leave. Members are required to provide 8 hours of their Extended Illness per fiscal year and at least 8 hours per assessment. Assessments will be limimted to 4 times per fiscal year (max of 40 hours per fiscal year).
Health Insurance: Four coverage types are available: Employee only, Employee + 1 Child, Employee + Spouse and Family. Coverage is available through payroll deduction.
Additionally, the city offers the following three Aetna Health Plan Options:
PPO 750 - Provides 100% coverage for preventive care; lower deductible and out-of-pocket maximums than other medical plans; and has higher employee premiums. This is comparable to the current insurance program.
PPO/HRA 1500 - Provides 100% coverage for preventive care; has higher deductible and out-of-pocket maximum than the PPO 300 plan; has lower employee premiums than the PPO 300 plan; and the employer makes contributions to an account through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). The City of Roanoke contributes $500 for employee only coverage and $1,000 for all other tiers. Contributions are pro-rated dependent upon enrollment date.
PPO/HDHP-HSA - Provides 100% coverage for preventive care; has higher deductible and out-of-pocket maximum than other medical plans; has lower employee premiums; and both the employer and the employee make contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for medical expenses which apply to the deductible. The City of Roanoke contributes towards the Health Savings Account (HSA), $1,600 for employee only coverage and $3,100 for all other tiers. Contributions are pro-rated dependent upon enrollment date.
Optum RX (Pharmaceutical Benefits Manager) - Manages pharmacy benefits, processes employee pharmacy claims and answers employee pharmacy benefit questions.
Aetna Health Plan 2026 Monthly Rates
PPO 750
Employee Only: $81.94
Employee + Child: $306.26
Employee + Spouse: $718.38
Family: $785.44
PPO/HRA 1500
Employee Only: $53.06
Employee + Child: $260.06
Employee + Spouse: $660.64
Family: $669.94
PPO/HDHP-HSA
Employee Only: $25.10
Employee + Child: $195.72
Employee + Spouse $547.88
Family: $550.56
Dental Insurance: Four coverage types are available: Family, Employee and Spouse, Employee and Child, and Employee only. Coverage is available through payroll deduction.
Delta Dental 2026 Monthly Rates
Employee: $2.80
Employee/Child: $18.88
Employee/Spouse: $18.88
Family: $49.36
Life Insurance: Paid by the City at no cost to employees. Coverage is equal to the annual salary rounded to the next highest thousand and then doubled. For an accidental death, the coverage would be twice this amount.
Optional Life Insurance: Paid by the employee. Various amounts of coverage, including family members, available through payroll deduction.
Long Term Disability Insurance: Designed to provide a monthly benefit to assist employees with bills and maintaining a standard of living when disabled as a result of a covered sickness or injury. Coverage is available through payroll deduction. Annual cost is your annual salary multiplied by .00255. This amount is half of the total premium and the City pays the other half.
Retirement: Employees contribute 5% of salary and choose between participating in a traditional defined benefit plan or a hybrid program. Employees vest in the employer component of either plan upon completing five (5) years of service.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Normal retirement after 55th birthday, and when combination of age and creditable service equals 85; or, 65th birthday if completed at least five years of creditable service. For sworn officers in Police and Fire/EMS, normal retirement after 50th birthday, and when combination of age and service equals 75; or, 65th birthday or older with 5 years of creditable service. An annual retirement benefit equals 2.0% of salary (based on an average of the highest five years) times the number of creditable years with a maximum of 63%. Early retirement options are available and reductions may apply based on age and service.
Hybrid Program: Provides the characteristics of the traditional pension plan with that of a deferred compensation plan. The pension plan provides an annual benefit equaling 1% of salary (based on an average of the highest five years) times the number of creditable years with a maximum of 63%. The deferred compensation component provides for the employee contribution to be deposited in an accou