Salary: $65,465.00 - $115,941.00 Annually
Location : Upper Marlboro, MD
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 11225
Department: PGC Parks and Recreation
Division: Facility Services Division
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Description
This position is located in the Northern Area Landscape section of the Horticulture & Forestry (H&F) Section, which provides landscape horticulture throughout the park system. The Incumbent will be responsible for applying a full knowledge of landscape and plant management in the supervision of work crews responsible for maintenance and landscape. Plans landscape maintenance projects; schedules, assigns and evaluates work of crews. Surveys parks, gardens and other Commission facilities to determine major landscape needs. Assists supervisor in design of gardens and landscape areas. Reviews planting plans and selects plants. Estimates materials, equipment supplies needed. Monitors unit's budget and work program of staff and makes recommendations to supervisor for areas of responsibility.

Examples of Important Duties

• Supervises landscape maintenance crews engaged in maintaining parks, gardens, and other landscaped areas. Plans, schedules, and assigns work and evaluates work and counsels staff on ways to improve performance.
• Plans and directs the implementation of major landscape programs for a geographical area. Surveys parks, gardens, and other Commission facilities to determine major landscaping needs and recommends maintenance and capital improvement projects to be accomplished.
• Assists landscape architects in the design of gardens and landscaped areas. Estimates materials, equipment, supplies, and other resources needed. Monitors, inspects, and approves work of contractors performing work.
• Installs and design botanical displays for Commission facilities and reviews planting plans, selects plants and designs layout of seasonal outdoor gardens and indoor plant displays.
• Implement tree care programs, such as pruning, de-staking, mulching, and weeding. Plans, coordinates, and directs grading, seeding, or sodding, and wildflower meadow installation and maintenance. Implements reforestation and habitat restoration projects.
• Maintain records, files, inventory, real property, fleet vehicles, equipment, tools, supplies, and materials pertinent to areas of responsibility.
  Prepares routine and technical reports and correspondence.
• Manages unit's budget and prepares annual budget requests for areas of responsibility. Controls expenditures in accordance with approved budget. Obtains price quotes and Initiates purchases of supplies and materials. Prepares purchase requests and requests for proposals, bid specifications, and oversees and approves the work of contractors.
• Plans, coordinates, and directs tree care, grading, seeding, sodding, wildflower meadow installation and maintenance, reforestation, habitat restoration, and other plant establishment projects.
• Performs and oversees technical horticultural tasks to optimize plant growth, including soil testing, soil amendments, best cultural and management practices, pest identification, and appropriate corrective action.
• Uses GIS technology and associated programs to assist in managing planted assets, community garden sites, inventories, data collection, and collaboration with GIS specialists for Parks database and dashboard platforms.

Must Have A Maryland State Pesticide Applicator's License Within Twelve (12)) Months of Employment

Must be certified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture as a Certified Fertilizer Applicator within six (6) months of employment.

(Work Hours are 6:00 am - 3:15 pm)

Salary ($65,465 - $115,941)

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture or any related field.
2. Two (2) years of professional experience in horticulture or closely related field.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
4. A valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's licenses must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of the position.
5. Maryland State Pesticide Applicator's License may be required within twelve (12) months of employment, depending on area of assignment.

Supplemental Information
Classification Specification- Senior Horticulturalist Supervisor

May be subject to drug and alcohol testing.

2026 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES

The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.

Eligibility
You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.

Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) - Plan E excludes FOP members.

PlanEmployee ContributionPlan C9.5%* of base salary (FOP members only)Plan E4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• 457 (b) Plan (Optional) (Pre-tax and Roth)
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)
• Retiree Healthcare - Eligibility requires, at least 10 years of eligible service and continuous enrollment in M-NCPPC plans (or proof of continuous enrollment in comparable plans) during the 36 months immediately preceding your retirement date. Premium cost share based on years of service

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.*

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) - (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) - (20%)
• Prescription - CVS Caremark - (15%)
• Dental - Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO - (20%)
• Vision - EyeMed - (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)
  • Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account - Maximum annual contribution: $3,300
• Dependent Care Account - Maximum annual contribution: $7,500

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental - 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birth, adoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member

Leave Programs

• Annual: 15 days per year
• Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
• Sick: 15 days per year
• Holidays: 11 days per year

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Legal Services Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Work-Life Program

For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission's Health and Benefits Office at or 301-454-1694.