Horticulturist II

HORTICULTURIST IIOPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAM #60-016780PROMOTIONAL EXAM #70-007710EXAMINATION DATE: MAY 9, 2026FILING FOR APPLICATIONS OPENS: MARCH 9, 2026 FILING FOR APPLICATIONS CLOSES: APRIL 9, 2026 APPOINTING AUTHORITY:SALARY RANGE: (per annum)CITY OF YONKERS $66,306 - 83,987*VACANCIES: AS THEY OCCUR*This rate is subject to changeAN APPLICANT FOR THE OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION MUST BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF YONKERS, N.Y. AT THE TIME OF THE EXAM AND FOR AT LEAST ONE (1) YEAR PRIOR TO AND CONTINUOUSLY UP TO THE DATE OF APPOINTMENT. A PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION WILL BE HELD FOR THIS TITLE ON THE SAME DAY AS THIS OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION. THE PROMOTION LIST MUST BE USED FIRST IN MAKING APPOINTMENTS. A SEPARATE APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED IF FILING FOR BOTH. CLICK HERE FOR EXAM APPLICATIONDISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:This position is responsible for participating in the planting and cultivating of trees, annuals, perennials, shrubs, aquatic plants and lawn areas. An incumbent in this position is also responsible for providing education to the public. This position differs from a Horticulturist I in that the incumbent performs duties with greater complexity and with a higher degree of independent judgment. General supervision is received from administrative personnel. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)Performs data collection and documentation for the horticultural database;Investigates plant and landscape design suitability based on location and conditions;Cares for diverse planting of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, lawn areas, aquatic plants and bulbs;Participates in seasonal landscape work which may include planting, pruning, clean-up, bulb planting, transplanting and manual snow/ice control;Manually waters plants and monitors irrigation systems;Scouts for pests and disease;Performs general clean-up of garden beds, paths and litter;Maintains tools/equipment and performs minor repairs;Trains and directs volunteer gardeners;Conducts educational tours, lectures and workshops for the public.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSCandidates must meet the following requirement(s) on or before the date of the written test.PROMOTIONAL:Twelve (12) months permanent competitive status currently holding position of Horticulturist I.OPEN-COMPETITIVE: EITHERA)Possession of a Bachelor's Degree and one (1) year of experience in horticultural practices; orB)Possession of an Associate's Degree and two (2) years of experience as described in (A); orC)Graduation from high school or possession of a High School Equivalency Diploma and three (3) years of experience as described in (A) and (B); orD)An equivalent combination of education/training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) through (C).NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm . You must pay the required evaluation fee." SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:1.Possession of a Class D Driver's License valid in the State of New York.SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION:A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the following areas:EDUCATING AND INTERACTING WITH THE PUBLICThese questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individuals and/or community groups, to educate or inform them about topics of concern, to publicize or clarify agency programs or policies, to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and to represent one's agency or program in a manner in keeping with good public relations practices. Questions may also cover interacting with others in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service. FAMILIARALITY WITH HORTICULTURAL SPECIESThese questions test for knowledge of various species of plants, trees, and ornamentals used in landscaping, gardening, parks or soil conservation areas, including their characteristics and uses. PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF HORTICULTUREThese questions test for knowledge of the basic principles and practices of horticulture. The topics may include planting; feeding; propagating; cultivating; maintaining trees, shrubs, plants, and lawns; and recognizing and controlling plant pests and diseases. The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However, candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm . UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTIFIED, CANDIDATES ARE ALLOWED TO USE QUIET, HAND-HELD, SOLAR OR BATTERY POWERED CALCULATORS. DEVICES WITH TYPEWRITER KEYBOARDS, "SPELL CHECKERS", "PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANTS", "ADDRESS BOOKS", "LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS", "DICTIONARIES", OR ANY SIMILAR DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED. YOU MAY NOT BRING BOOKS OR OTHER REFERENCE MATERIALS. APPLICATIONS: APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, 1 LARKIN CENTER, 2ND FLOOR, YONKERS, NEW YORK 10701. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE DELIVERED PERSONALLY OR BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN THE LAST DATE FOR FILING SHOWN IN HEADING. A separate application must be filed for each examination. OMISSIONS OR VAGUENESS IN ANSWERS WILL NOT BE INTERPRETED IN CANDIDATE'S FAVOR AND MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION. Approved candidates will be sent notice when and where to appear for examination. Due notice will be sent to DISAPPROVED candidates. IF NOTICE IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN TWO (2) DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE EXAMINATION, CALL THIS OFFICE AT (914) 377-6092. NOTE: DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST DAY TO FILE FOR YOUR APPLICATION. COMPLETED APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR EXAMINATION. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER WILL BE USED AS IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AT TIME OF EXAMINATION. APPLICATION FILING FEE: For all examinations held on or after June 1, 2017 a non-refundable application fee of $40.00 is required for each separately numbered examination for which you apply. The required fee must accompany your application(s). If you are applying for a Promotional and an Open-Competitive Examination for the same title, only one application fee is required. Submit check or money order payable to the "City of Yonkers". Write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. DO NOT SEND CASH. Application fees are not refundable. If you are disqualified from or fail to appear for the examination, your fee is not refunded. Therefore, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified. IF YOUR APPLICATION IS RECEIVED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED FEE IT WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE AND YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE EXAMINATION. YOUR APPLICATION WITH THE REQUIRED FEE MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO OR POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN THE LAST FILING DATE. THE FEE MAY BE SUBJECT TO INCREASE.APPLICATION FILING FEE WAIVER: A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household. In addition, a waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are determined eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, or Public Assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Family Assistance or Safety net Assistance) or are certified Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act eligible through a State or local social service agency. All Claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification. If you can verify eligibility for application fee waiver, complete a "Request for Application Fee Waiver and Certification" form and submit it with your application by the close of business on the Application Deadline as Listed on the Examination Announcement. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CANDIDATE TO NOTIFY THE CIVIL SERVICE OFFICE OF ANY CHANGE IN NAME OR ADDRESS. NO ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE TO LOCATE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE MOVED.AGE LIMITS: There may be statutory restrictions on employment if under 18. Certain examinations may have age restrictions, in which case creditable military service, not exceeding 6 years total, may be subtracted from age of an applicant over the maximum age limit. Credit for age reduction must be claimed at time of filing application, by completing Veteran's Credits form and presenting separation papers. INVESTIGATION OF CANDIDATES: All Statements are subject to verification. Inquiries may be made as to character and qualifications.MULTIPLE TEST APPLICANTS: If you have cross filed for any other civil service tests with New York State or any other local government jurisdiction, you must make arrangements to take all the examinations at one test site. You must notify this office in writing at least two weeks before the test date indicating the site where you wish to take the test. TRANSCRIPTS OR DIPLOMAS: When high school diplomas or college transcripts or diplomas are required, they must be submitted prior to appointment.SABBATH OBSERVER: Candidates, who for religious reasons, cannot be tested on Saturday must indicate this information on their application.ALTERNATE TEST DATE: Under specific circumstances an alternate test date may be arranged in accordance with established guidelines. This includes special test arrangements for active military members. Your request and verifiable documentation must be submitted to the Civil Service Office prior to the test date or in the case of an emergency not later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day following the test. The requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for compliance with our alternate test date guidelines. A copy of these guidelines is available upon request in the Civil Service Office. DISABLED APPLICANTS: If special arrangements for testing are required, please indicate this on your application.ELIGIBLE LIST: The eligible list established as a result of this test will remain in force for at least one year but not more than four years. Changing conditions may make it advisable to certify to future vacancies at higher or lower salaries than those announced. PERSONS ON PREFERRED LISTS: Any person, otherwise meeting the requirements for this exam whose name is presently on a preferred list is eligible to compete in this examination.VETERANS: Disabled and non-disabled veterans (military service) are eligible for additional credits may have 5 and 2 1/2 points (on Promotional exams), respectively or 10 and 5 (on Open-Competitive exams), respectively, added to their earned scores if successful in exam. CREDITS MUST BE CLAIMED AT THE TIME OF FILING APPLICATION FOR EXAM ON AN APPLICATION FOR VETERANS CREDITS. A SEPARATE APPLICATION FOR EACH EXAMINATION MUST BE COMPLETED. WHETHER OR NOT IT IS NECESSARY TO USE THESE CREDITS WILL BE DETERMINED AT TIME OF APPOINTMENT. ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION CREDITS PURSUANT TO CIVIL SERVICE LAW SECTION 85.Your final score must be 70 or higher in order to pass. Rank on the eligible list will be determined after adding any additional credits pursuant to Civil Service Law Section 85 to your final passing score. In conformance with Section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty shall be entitled to receive an additional ten (10) points in a competitive examination for ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two (2) months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established. 85a: Additional credits (10 points) allowed children of Firefighters and Police officers killed in the line of duty.85b: Additional credits (10 points) allowed siblings of Firefighters and Police officers killed in the line of duty as a result of the World Trade Center attack on 9/11/2001.85c: Additional credits (10 points) allowed children of emergency medical technicians and paramedics killed in the line of duty as a result of the World Trade Center attack on 9/11/2001.PROMOTIONAL EXAMS: (Departmental only) - At time of application, must be a current employee of the hiring authority where vacancy occurs.On promotional exams candidates who have attained a passing grade in the written exam will have points added to an eligible score up to and including the day of the exam as follows:SENIORITY:Less than 1 yr 0 ptsOver 26 yrs up to 31 yrs 6 pts1 yr up to 6 yrs 1 ptOver 31 yrs up to 36 yrs 7 ptsOver 6 yrs up to 11 yrs 2 ptsOver 36 yrs up to 41 yrs 8 ptsOver 11 yrs up to 16 yrs 3 pts Over 41 yrs up to 46 yrs 9 ptsOver 16 yrs up to 21 yrs 4 ptsOver 46 yrs up to 51 yrs 10 ptsOver 21 yrs up to 26 yrs 5 ptsCITY OF YONKERS, NEW YORKAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYERHIRING AND APPOINTMENTS SHALL BE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL CAPABILITY AND MERIT AND ARE MADE IN OBSERVANCE OF CIVIL SERVICE LAW. FEDERAL, STATE AND CITY LAWS PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION IN APPOINTMENTS BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, AGE, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, OR POLITICAL ORIENTATION, EX-OFFENDER