HEAD GREENHOUSE WORKER

Code: 45515 State Competitive Range: R16 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $53,281.62 - $77,370.62/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Examples of work

• Organizes assigned supervisory greenhouse work, analyzes greenhouse problems, and develops appropriate work methods.
• Supervises the work involved in screening, sterilizing and mixing compost soil and the placing of soil in flats, the seeding of wood flats with flower and vegetable seeds, and, when they are large enough, the spotting of seedlings in flats, and the transplanting of plants to pots in cold frames.
• Supervises the propagation of flowers for cutting, the forcing of bulbs, and the planting and transplanting of plants.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Supervises the mowing of lawns, the trimming of shrubs and hedges, the digging, raking, planting and weeding of flower beds, and the cleaning of the grounds.
• Plants and cares for flower beds and flowers growing in window and porch boxes.
• Supervises the planting, cultivating, weeding and harvesting of vegetables.
• Supervises the measures taken to insure the safety, custody and progress of inmates, patients and others.
• Assigns and instructs employees, inmates, patients and/or students and supervises the performance of their work.
• Directs the preparation and delivery of cut flowers and the starting and potting of plants.
• Does the light carpentry work involved in mending flat boxes and cold frames as may be required.
• Inspects the greenhouses to check temperatures and insure the proper operation of heating and ventilating units.
• Prepares factual records and files.
• Maintains the essential reports.
• In the Department of Human Services may be required to undergo fire training classes.
• <b>REQUIREMENTS
• EXPERIENCE</b>
• Two years experience in the growing of plants under greenhouse conditions, one year of which shall have been in a supervising capacity in greenhouse.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Wide knowledge of the problems involved in planning and carrying out a greenhouse program.
• Wide knowledge of the problems involved in assigning and instructing employees and in supervising the work of a group of inmates, patients and others in order that they may receive the maximum benefit mentally and physically and that the assigned work may be completed in the most efficient manner.
• Wide knowledge of the problems which arise in greenhouse and related work.
• Wide knowledge of the methods used in supervising the screening, sterilizing and mixing of compost soil, the seeding of flats, the spotting of seedlings, and the transplanting of seedlings to pots in cold frames.
• Wide knowledge of the methods used in forcing bulbs and in transplanting plants.
• Wide knowledge of the work and tools involved in mowing lawns; in trimming shrubs and hedges; in digging, raking, planting and weeding flower beds; and in keeping grounds in a neat and orderly condition.
• Wide knowledge of the arranging of flowers and plants for hospital and other indoor use.
• Wide knowledge of the methods and tools used in doing light carpentry repair work in the greenhouses.
• Ability to analyze greenhouse problems, organize assigned work, and develop appropriate work methods.
• Ability to assume the responsibility for the care and custody of inmates, patients and/or students assigned to greenhouse and related work.
• Ability to make plans which involve the determination of plants and flowers to be raised and the methods to be used in order to provide a continuing supply of cut flowers and plants of desired types.
• Ability to see that proper temperatures and degrees of humidity are maintained within the greenhouses.
• Ability to requisition, store, safeguard, distribute, and properly use Department equipment, materials and supplies.
• Ability to prepare factual reports.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.