Native Landscaping Technician

SUMMARY: The Landscaping Technician supports the seasonal and maintenance of the Community’s native landscape gardens and plantings of native and culturally relevant plant species. This role focuses on the care and aesthetics of garden spaces and maintaining health of native tree and shrub plantings throughout the Community, utilizing and incorporating non-standard methods that ensure holistic ecological stewardship that ensure native plant community and pollinator health across the Community’s green spaces.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

The following duties and responsibilities are not meant to be all inclusive and may be adjusted to meet business needs.

• Serve as the primary individual responsible for care, maintenance, and continued improvement of the Community’s landscaped spaces designed using native landscaping techniques
• Conduct seasonal plant care including watering, pruning, weeding, mulching, dividing, re-planting, and monitoring plant well-being and garden aesthetics.
• Ensure soils, amendments and mulching practices are appropriate for long-term health and longevity of the landscapes
• Acquisition and installation of plants as needed for replacements and garden enhancement
• Regularly conduct assessments of gardens and implement corrective actions using adaptive and sustainable methods
• Prepare regular summaries for manager, providing insights, documenting progress, and recommending actions for improvements.
• Investigate and incorporate adaptive management strategies and innovations that improve efficiency of garden maintenance practices
• Consult with indigenous knowledge keepers within the Community to incorporate Dakota values and culture into landscaping practices.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Minimum one (1) year practical experience in landscaping, native habitat restoration or similar field.

• Strong ID skills and care of Midwest native plant species

• Able to work with community members in a respectful manner

• Able to work independently and efficiently
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office programs (primarily Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Sensitive to Native American Culture
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurability
• Pass drug screen (UA) and a federal criminal background check in compliance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act and the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act

Preferred

• Pursuing bachelor’s degree landscaping/horticulture or natural resources with completed coursework OR have obtained certifications within these fields.
• Two (2) or more years of practical experience in landscaping or native habitat restoration
• One (1) year of experience working within or supporting indigenous communities/entities

• Pursuit of wildland fire certification

• Possess current pesticide applicator license

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:*

• Outdoors in variable and sometimes extreme temperatures and weather conditions

• Bend, lift/lower and carry 50+ pounds between shoulder height and ground
• Pushing/pulling and grasping objects routinely
• Operating equipment, tools, vehicles routinely

• Repetitive tasks and motions

• Frequent use of hands and arms including fine motor function
• Walk, stand or sit for long periods throughout the day
• Medical clearance to wear respirator when handling/using chemicals (herbicides)

REQUIRED TRAINING:

• Tool/Equipment safety
• UTV safety
• Personal protective equipment
• Fall protection
• Pesticide applicator certification
• Effectively handling harassment
• Any position-related training as determined by department manager or division director

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed primarily outdoors in rural/natural environments and may include exposure to extreme weather conditions; occasionally indoors for planning, data processing, reporting and other general office tasks.

DISCLAIMER AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

All Prairie Island Indian Community employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship

*See physical demand analysis for more detailed information.