Job Description

Salary

$5,412.00 Monthly

Location

Oahu, HI

Job Type

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number

089256

Department

Department of Parks & Recreation

Division

Division of Urban Forestry

Opening Date

10/17/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

Position Information

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

Grow the future from the ground up and become the force behind the flourish!

Start your rewarding career with the City and County of Honolulu today!

The

Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)

,

Division of Urban Forestry (DUF)

, is seeking a

Chief Plant Propagator

in Honolulu. Under the general supervision of the Park Grounds Improvement Supervisor I, this position supervises daily work of staff and performs tasks such as collecting, propagating, cultivating, fertilizing, pruning, planting, and maintaining various plants, shrubs, trees, and ornamentals. It also oversees the upkeep of nurseries and tree farms and coordinates the propagation and scheduling of plant materials for street and park tree plantings, landscaping projects, and the decorative potted plant loan program.

What You'll Do

Supervise and perform the production, care, and maintenance of plants, shrubs, and trees for island-wide street and park plantings, landscaping projects, and nursery upkeep, including preparing soil mixes and upgrading potted materials. Install, operate, maintain, and repair irrigation systems while performing weeding, watering, fertilizing, pruning, staking, transplanting, and preparing plants for delivery. Collect, clean, and store seeds, and propagate plants using methods such as seeding, air-layering, grafting, and cuttings. Apply pesticides safely for disease, insect, and weed control, and maintain nursery and tree farm facilities, including landscaping and cleaning buildings. Supervise and direct staff, interns, and volunteers; provide training; prepare and submit reports; operate vehicles and equipment; and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements. Perform other related duties, as required.

Special Work Requirements

Work schedule is Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Handles and uses chemicals, and works in areas treated with chemicals. May work solely in remote secluded mountainous areas, where there is no drinking water, restroom, or electricity. Required to work after hours or on weekends to apply pesticides, herbicides, etc., for special projects and events, and emergency callouts. Will serve as Disaster Response Worker during declared emergencies.

Apply today! If you qualify for the position, your name will be eligible for referral to the hiring department for further consideration for the current job opening, as well as future vacancies for positions with this job title.

Additional Job Information

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Applications must be submitted online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/honolulu to be accepted.



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Notifications may also be sent via text message if opted into the service. Data and text messaging fees apply.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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


At time of application, you must be a citizen, national or permanent resident alien of the United States or a non-citizen eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

Experience and/or training of sufficient scope and quality to show competence in the care and cultivation of plants,

including the propagation of plants

and

orchids

in a botanical garden, nursery or experimental farm.

Key Competencies and Skills Needed:Knowledge of the various plants and orchids in the botanical gardens, their growing habits, habitat, etc. Knowledge of various fertilizers and their effective uses. Knowledge of common plant pests and diseases and the effective means of controlling them Knowledge of propagating practices and techniques and the ability to propagate from seeds and cuttings and by grafting, air-layering and dividing a variety of plants. Knowledge of tools and equipment used in horticultural work and proper maintenance of same. Ability to pot and re-pot orchids, mix potting media for orchids and plants, and use and operate common horticultural tools and equipment. Ability to plan and make work assignments and review work of others. Ability to deal effectively with public. Ability to read and understand written orders and regulations.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT

At the time of application:

Valid driver's license (type 3/automobile).

Prior to appointment,

obtain and maintain from City Health Services:Valid Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examiner's certificate. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) certificate. Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) Test.

Prior to completion of probation:

Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class A. First Aid, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certificates. Certificate for Commercial Applicators of Restricted Pesticides. Forklift Certification (Class V: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks - Pneumatic Tires).

NOTE: The above licenses/certificates must be obtained by the time indicated and maintained on a current basis thereafter as a condition of employment.

Examination Process

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


TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION:

In addition to meeting the above minimum qualifications, your application will be further evaluated. Your score will be based on the quality and quantity of your training, experience and/or other related job requirements and competencies applicable to the position. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being rejected or you receiving a lower score.



EXAMINATION WEIGHT:

Training and Experience Evaluation......................................100%

Employer

City and County of Honolulu

Address

650 South King Street, 10th Floor



Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813

Phone

(808) 768-8536

Website

https://www.honolulu.gov/dhr/