Technician ng Landscape

Working Schedule
 
Landscape Technicians usually work full-time, sometimes on a seasonal basis since there is less to do during winter months in many states. 
 
Typical Duties

• Magtrabaho sa labas sa pampubliko o pribadong lugar
• Magtanim ng iba't ibang palumpong, halaman, at uri ng bulaklak sa mga nakaayos nang pattern
• Bunutin ang mga damo mula sa lupa kung saan tumutubo ang mga palumpong, halaman, at bulaklak
• Diligin, lagyan ng pataba, at putulin ang mga palumpong at iba pang mga bagay na nakatanim
• Mag-spray ng mga pestisidyo kung naaangkop 
• Mow at gilid ng damuhan na lugar 
• Panatilihing dinidiligan ang mga damuhan at hardin gamit ang mga sprinkler system
• Magtanim ng maliliit na puno at magtayo ng mga suporta upang panatilihing patayo ang mga ito, kung kinakailangan
• Suriin ang mga puno para sa kalusugan at mga palatandaan ng sakit o mabulok; putulin at alisin ang mga paa kung kinakailangan
• Kalaykayin at hipan ang mga dahon
• Alagaan ang ilang panloob na halaman sa ilang lugar ng trabaho, gaya ng mga mall
• Ilagay ang mga materyales sa walkway, desk, o patio
• Magmaneho ng mga trak upang maghakot ng mga kagamitan sa mga lugar ng trabaho; magmaneho ng maliliit na sasakyan sa paligid ng mga lugar ng trabaho
• Tumulong na palamutihan ang mga lugar ng hardin o fountain na may mga bato at eskultura
• Tumulong sa pag-install ng sprinkler o lighting system, kung kinakailangan
• Banayad na gawaing pagpipinta

Karagdagang Pananagutan

• Magsuot ng lahat ng personal na kagamitan sa proteksiyon; magsagawa ng mahusay na mga pamamaraan sa kaligtasan
• Panatilihin ang mga imbentaryo ng mga sasakyan at kasangkapan/kagamitan
• Tiyaking handa ang lahat ng kinakailangang bagay para sa araw na trabaho, kabilang ang gasolina para sa mga mower
• Panatilihing malinis ang mga bangketa o lugar ng paradahan mula sa mga labi 
• Alisin ang niyebe sa mga bangketa sa panahon ng taglamig
• Magsagawa ng mga espesyal na tungkulin para sa mga partikular na lokasyon ng trabaho tulad ng mga athletic field, golf course, o sementeryo
• Maaaring kabilang sa mga espesyal na gawain sa paggawa ang paglalagay ng pansamantalang bakod, pagpapanatili ng turf, pagputol ng mga puno gamit ang mga chainsaw, paghuhukay ng mga libingan gamit ang backhoe, pagpapanatili ng pool, at higit pa

Soft Skills

• Marunong sumunod sa mga direksyon 
• Pansin sa detalye at pamantayan
• Customer service-oriented
• Mabilis na oras ng reaksyon
• Magandang koordinasyon ng kamay at mata
• Kagalingan ng kamay at daliri
• Normal na pangitain ng kulay
• mapagmasid
• pasyente 
• Nakatuon sa kaligtasan
• Lakas at tibay
• Malakas na kasanayan sa pakikinig
• Pagtutulungan ng magkakasama
• Pamamahala ng oras 

Teknikal na kasanayan

• Kakayahang maunawaan ang mga layout ng disenyo
• Paggamit ng mga personal na kagamitan sa proteksyon, tulad ng proteksyon sa mata at pandinig, guwantes, bota na may bakal, o iba pang ipinag-uutos na mga bagay
• Pamilyar sa mga naaangkop na pamantayan ng estado at lokal na kaligtasan
• Pagsasanay para sa ligtas na paggamit ng pinapagana na kagamitan at mga kagamitang pangkamay (kabilang ang mga lawnmower; electric o gas-powered weed trimmers; pruners, hedge cutter; spade, pala, at iba pang tool sa paghahalaman)
• Kaalaman sa paggamit ng pestisidyo at pataba at ligtas na paghawak
• Pamilyar sa sprinkler at lighting system, kung naaangkop
• Iba pang espesyal na paggamit ng kagamitan, ayon sa idinidikta ng trabaho 

Landscaping workers plant trees, flowers, and shrubs to create new outdoor spaces or upgrade existing ones. They also trim, fertilize, mulch, and water plants. Some grade and install lawns or construct hardscapes such as walkways, patios, and decks. Others help install lighting or sprinkler systems. Landscaping workers are employed in a variety of residential and commercial settings, such as homes, apartment buildings, office buildings, shopping malls, and hotels and motels.
 
Groundskeeping workers, also called groundskeepers, maintain grounds. They care for plants and trees, rake and mulch leaves, and clear snow from walkways. They work on athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, university campuses, and parks, as well as in many of the same settings that landscaping workers work. They also see to the proper upkeep of sidewalks, parking lots, fountains, fences, planters, and benches, as well as groundskeeping equipment.
 
Groundskeeping workers who care for athletic fields keep natural and artificial turf in top condition, mark out boundaries, and paint turf with team logos and names before events. They mow, water, fertilize, and aerate the fields regularly. They must ensure that the underlying soil on fields with natural turf has the composition required to allow proper drainage and to support the grass used on the field. In sports venues, they vacuum and disinfect synthetic turf to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and they remove the turf and replace the cushioning pad periodically.
 
Groundskeepers in parks and recreation facilities care for lawns, trees, and shrubs; maintain playgrounds; clean buildings; and keep parking lots, picnic areas, and other public spaces free of litter. They also may erect and dismantle snow fences and maintain swimming pools. These workers inspect buildings and equipment, make needed repairs, and keep everything freshly painted.
 
Some groundskeepers specialize in caring for cemeteries and memorial gardens. They dig graves to specified depths, generally using a backhoe. They mow grass regularly, apply fertilizers and other chemicals, prune shrubs and trees, plant flowers, and remove debris from graves.
 
Greenskeepers maintain golf courses. Their work is similar to that of groundskeepers, but they also periodically relocate holes on putting greens and maintain benches and tee markers along the course and provide more intense turf maintenance. In addition, greenskeepers keep canopies, benches, and tee markers repaired and freshly painted.
 
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators apply herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides on plants or the soil to prevent or control weeds, insects, and diseases. Those who work for chemical lawn or tree service firms are more specialized, inspecting lawns for problems and applying fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals to stimulate growth and prevent or control weeds, diseases, or insect infestations.
 
Tree trimmers and pruners, also called arborists, cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to clear utility lines, roads, and sidewalks. Many of these workers strive to improve the appearance and health of trees and plants, and some specialize in diagnosing and treating tree diseases. Others specialize in pruning, trimming, and shaping ornamental trees and shrubs. Tree trimmers and pruners use chain saws, chippers, and stump grinders while on the job. When trimming near power lines, they usually work on truck-mounted lifts and use power pruners.

• Mga apartment complex
• Institusyong pang-edukasyon 
• Mga ahensya ng pamahalaang lokal at estado
• Mga chain ng hotel
• Mga gusali ng opisina at mga parke
• Mga pribadong tirahan
• Mga recreational establishment (amusement park, athletic field, golf course)
• Self-employed (o may-ari ng serbisyo sa landscaping)
• Mga shopping mall

Landscape Technicians work hard and spend most of their days outside. They are exposed to heat and cold, sun, wind, and rain. Much of their time may be spent working alone, performing physically demanding tasks under deadlines so they can move on to the next task or job site. Despite the need to work efficiently, they are expected to maintain high standards. For this reason, they require patience and attention-to-detail, as well as the ability to work relatively quickly for hours on end. 
 
In terms of sacrifice, it is important to understand that Landscape Technicians are exposed to a number of workplace hazards. They often use dangerous tools while working through fatigue, boredom from repetition, and perhaps in inclement weather that may make hands or tools wet. This combination of factors can lead to injuries, unless workers wear proper protective gear, stay focused on safety, and are trained on proper tool and equipment usage. Hearing protection is an often overlooked element, as workers may operate or be near loud equipment. 
 
Another potential sacrifice is that work may be sporadic during winter months, when there is less to do or duties may change significantly (for instance, there may be snow removal required, or putting out holiday decorations versus mowing lawns or watering plants). 

Job growth is predicted to be very good, as homeowners and organizations look to spruce up older properties by investing in landscaping. Research indicates that young homeowners are seeking increased landscaping services, as well, as a way to protect the environment. Indeed there’s a trend towards “outdoor spaces” and “outdoor rooms” like covered decks or patios, which may require the skills of a Landscape Technician. 
 
In the business world, there is a current focus on both green initiatives and workplace wellness, which should keep landscapers busy as companies offer more outdoor areas to promote worker health and job satisfaction. Meanwhile, unpredictable national weather patterns can lead to unexpected shifts in work requirements, as snow storms, drought spells, or fires might disrupt the ability to perform typical duties. However, landscapers play a vital role in the cleanup efforts after such events. 
 
Many groundskeepers prefer to work in temperate regions where weather conditions may be less harsh, and there is steady work during all seasons. Of note is the fact that while the sector is growing, there aren’t enough workers to fill the gaps. According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, 82% of company leaders are concerned about “the shortage of skilled labor” as a “major limiting factor for the industry.” 

Landscape Technicians don’t mind getting their hands dirty! They likely always enjoyed being outside, and aren’t afraid of manual labor. They love nature and have both the stamina and the patience to work outdoors for long periods of time—abilities they may have cultivated over years. 
 
They take the time to do their jobs correctly while still being efficient, because there is lots to get done and a limited amount of time to do it! Such time management skills may also have been learned from an early age. Groundskeepers practice good job site safety, which is a mindset perhaps gained via training when they were younger, working on family property or during jobs in high school. 
 
They may not be introverted, but are comfortable spending hours working on their own as part of a larger team sprawled out around the grounds being worked. They have a solid work ethic and are goal-oriented so they can stay on-task and keep things moving along!