GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The HORTICULTURIST enforces the laws of Oregon relative to nursery stock, Christmas trees, and plant quarantines through a program of licensing and inspection for the protection of Oregon's Nursery and Christmas tree industry and provides information and consultant services to the nursery and Christmas tree industry and the general public.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single classification and not currently part of a series of classes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Allocation of positions to this class will depend on the total work performed, which may include one or a combination of the duties or tasks listed below.

1. Inspection and Certification. Typical tasks: conducts inspection of nursery stock, Christmas trees, and other plant material covered by State and Federal quarantines and regulatory orders; issues certificates authorizing interstate and world-wide movement of regulated plant material; performs inspections on imported plant materials for compliance with Oregon's nursery and plant quarantine laws and post-entry requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture; rejects or condemns plant materials in violation of the plant quarantine laws; inspects plant material for the general public for shipment to other states and foreign countries and provides necessary certification; collects pest and disease data to determine life cycles, distribution, and presence of new or unreported pests and diseases; provides expert testimony where such is required.
2. Technical Assistance and Instruction. Typical tasks: provides technical expertise and makes recommendations to members of the nursery and Christmas tree industries concerning culture of the respective crops, control of noxious weeds, insect pests, and diseases; monitors treatment and fumigation of timber products, fruit, nursery stock, Christmas trees, growing sites, and media; provides growers with information relevant to import and export requirements and plant quarantines of other states and foreign countries; identifies plants and provides information regarding their growth and development; represents the department at nursery and horticulture functions; gives technical lectures to nursery and Christmas tree industry groups; participates in educational exhibits at industry trade shows; aids in developing and maintaining a working technical library of reference material and photographic series of noxious weeds, insects, diseases, and physiological disorders; provides the general public with disease, insect pest, culture, and shipping information.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees regularly contact or are contacted by members of the nursery and Christmas tree industry, Oregon State University Cooperative Extension Service, Federal agencies, grower organizations, and the general public providing information, recommendations, and certification of Oregon's nursery stock, Christmas trees, and other plant material. Contacts are made in person, by telephone, correspondence, and in meetings.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive general supervision from the program supervisor who provides work assignments and reviews the progress of the assigned duties. Employees follow State laws, Administrative Rules, departmental policy, and inspection techniques to plan and conduct daily activities.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Positions are found in central and remote locations throughout the State and may require working from the employee's home. Positions may require working long hours under adverse conditions. They require the willingness to work in the environment associated with the position's location.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS