competencies

Landscaping Competencies
(Landscape Technician)

There are seven skill levels ('A'-'G') that trainees accomplish in order to be considered an advanced completer. Although a listed skill may be learned in any sequence, it is recommended that each level be taught progressively. Skill levels include the basic competencies identified by the Department of Labor (DOL) for work in a particular job. These competencies correspond to DOL's Occupational Information Network (O*NET), which replaces the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT).

Lawn Service Worker

Employability Skills	Demonstrate the ability to: stay on task dress appropriately for work arrive for work on time respond to supervision follow directions listen effectively maintain good hygiene ask for clarification explain procedures to others take initiative satisfy customers work as a member of a team work harmoniously with diversity troubleshoot and solve problems maintain tools and equipment properly access and use information from manuals and computers
Safety	Demonstrate: safe use of hand tools safe use of electric and gas power tools an understanding of first aid procedures an understanding of fire prevention procedures the ability to place and climb ladders safely an understanding of appropriate safety gear to be used in performing underlying tasks Demonstrate proper procedures to lift heavy equipment and materials safely
Chemical Spill Readiness	Demonstrate the proper use of Materials Safety Data Sheets and "right to know" laws Demonstrate proper procedures to store gasoline and hazardous chemicals Read and follow agency/company policies and procedures manuals
Pesticide Use	Identify: two insects and the type(s) of insecticide(s) used to control each insect one plant disease and type(s) of fungicide(s) used to control the disease four weeds and type(s) of herbicide(s) used to control each weed
Install and Maintain Shrubs, Ground Cover and Turfgrass	Add mulch to newly seeded lawn and water until established Install weed barrier in an ornamental bed Add mulch to ornamental beds Remove weeds from ornamental beds with hand tools Plant flowers (annual, bi-annual, bulbs) Plant shrubs Fertilize shrubs Prune shrubs Identify and locate ten shrubs or ground cover Identify one turf grass Irrigate lawns and planted areas Aerate turf with a power aerator Dethatch turf with a power dethatcher Revitalize worn turf grass with seed or sod Plant ground cover
Tree Installation & Maintenance	Plant trees Identify five trees
Snow Removal	*Not applicable at this location
Measurement, Estimating & Design	Demonstrate the ability to: use measuring tools accurately to add, subtract, multiply and divide measurements perform mathematical operations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals
Constructing & Maintaining Facilities	Clean leaves and litter from grounds with hand tools
Sprinkler & Low Voltage Lighting Systems	Maintain a permanent sprinkler system: clean plugged spray components on sprinkler heads replace broken risers replace broken sprinkler heads repair sprinkler valves repair anti-siphon valves Install an irrigation system: glue PVC pipe and fittings determine sizes and types of PVC pipe fittings determine types and sizes of sprinkler heads Demonstrate how to set three different automatic sprinkler controllers
Preparing & Improving Soil	Haul and spread soil Prepare soil and apply organic and inorganic amendments Prepare an ornamental or lawn area for planting Demonstrate the ability to understand physical and chemical properties of soils Prepare and maintain a compost pile
Operating Equipment	Sow seed with a hand seeder Edge hardscape areas with a gas edger Clean area with a gas powered blower Remove debris from hardscape with a gas powered vacuum Mow lawns with 21" rotary mower Cut grass or weeds with a line trimmer Till soil with a rotary tiller
Equipment Maintenance	Lubricate equipment Check and change engine oil Clean and sharpen four different hand tools Clean and sharpen rotary mower blades Adjust idle speed on small engines Replace line on line trimmers Repair garden hoses Mix 2-cycle gas Check and tighten bolts and screws on power equipment Perform a circle check on equipment before using
Greenhouse Maintenance	Demonstrate safe use of tools and equipment used in a greenhouse Sow annual and perennial seeds Transplant seedlings Water plants in greenhouse Check and record daily environmental conditions in a greenhouse Record and keep an inventory of plants in nursery areas Demonstrate procedures to clean a greenhouse Mix a soilless medium for container plants

Tree Pruner

In addition to all competencies listed under skill level 'A' the following competencies must be met.

Pesticide Use	Identify: four insects and the type(s) of insecticide(s) used to control each insect two plant disease and type(s) of fungicide(s) used to control the diseases when to use integrated pest management
Tree Installation & Maintenance	Identify ten trees Identify twenty trees Protect tress from wind using stakes and wire Prune and trim trees Demonstrate the safe use of pruning hand saws, loppers and chain saws Demonstrate the safe use of pruning saddles and ropes Demonstrate the proper procedures for securing a ladder to trim trees Demonstrate the safe use of a trailer-mounted aerial lift Mulch limbs up to 6" with a commercial-grade chipper/mulcher Fertilize trees
Operating Equipment	Drive a pickup truck (with trailer if applicable) Cut shrubs with power shears
Greenhouse Maintenance	Explain the basics of cells and seeds Explain the basics of stems, roots and leaves Explain the basics of flowers and fruit Sow annual and perennial seeds Root perennial plants

Groundskeeper

In addition to all competencies listed under skill levels 'A' and 'B' the following competencies must be met.

Pesticide Use	Identify six weeds and type(s) of herbicide(s) used to control each weed
Install and Maintain Shrubs, Ground Cover and Turfgrass	Identify and locate twenty shrubs or ground cover Identify two turf grasses Install turf grass with seed or sod
Operating Equipment	Remove soil, asphalt and concrete with a jack hammer

Sprayer, Hand

In addition to all competencies listed under skill levels 'A' - 'C' the following competencies must be met.

Safety	Prepare a written accident report Demonstrate proper hand signals when backing equipment
Chemical Spill Readiness	Demonstrate the proper procedures to dispose of pesticide containers Demonstrate the use of standard radio codes when communicating by radio Describe procedures to contain chemical spills Prepare a written environmental incident report to describe a chemical spill Prepare field notes using approved techniques and terminology Describe procedures to refer media representatives to appropriate company agencies Describe instances and procedures for contacting enforcement agencies
Pesticide Use	Use of proper materials and procedures to apply fungicides to diseased plants Use proper materials and procedures to apply insecticides to plants or soils infested with insects Use proper materials and procedures to apply liquid and granular herbicide to lawn )pre-post emergence) Indentify six insects and the type(s) of insecticide(s) to control each insect Use proper materials and procedures to apply herbicides to weeds in ornamental beds (pre-post embergence) Calibrate sprayers (hand-held, backpack, tank trailer) Demonstrate proper procedures to care for and clean sprayers Identify four plant diseases and type(s) of fungicides(s) used to control each disease Identify twelve weeds and type(s) of herbicides(s) used to control each weed Explain when to use integrated pest management Complete training requirements for state applicator certification (where applicable)
Install and Maintain Shrubs, Ground Cover and Turfgrass	Identify and locate forty shrubs or ground cover Identify three turf grasses
Operating Equipment	Calibrate and apply fertilizer with a rotary spreader Operate a compact tractor Dig hole with a power auger Spray with a hand sprayer Spray with a back pack sprayer Spray with a tank trailer sprayer Mow lawns with self-propelled riding front deck mower
Equipment Maintenance	Clean a rotary fertilizer spreader Check tires for pressure and repair tire Service air cleaner on engines Check, adjust and/or replace belts and chains on equipment
Greenhouse Maintenance	Transplant seedlings Mix and apply soluble fertilizer to seedlings Fertilize container plants Explain and demonstrate how to set the environmental controls in a greenhouse

Lawn Sprinkler Installer

In addition to all competencies listed under skill levels 'A' - 'D' the following competencies must be met.

Install and Maintain Shrubs, Ground Cover and Turfgrass	Irrigate lawns and planted areas
Measurement, Estimating & Design	Prepare a materials take-off from a scaled blueprint Demonstrate ability to estimate time required to complete a project Use a personal computer to enter information about time cards, work orders, estimates, maintenance records, inventories and drawings Demonstrate the use of basic landscape design principles Demonstrate the ability to understand and use as-built drawings
Sprinkler & Low Voltage Lighting Systems	Maintain a permanent sprinkler system: troubleshoot and repair wiring on sprinkler system troubleshoot and repair or replace solenoid on valve Install an irrigation system: demonstrate an understanding of sprinkler system pipingschematics wire pump, clock, controls and valves identify sizes and types of back-flow devices install a drip irrigations system set up and use a dumpy level demonstrate how a low-voltage outdoor lighting system works
Preparing & Improving Soil	Describe the causes of soil erosion Demonstrate how to grade an area for proper drainage Demonstrate proper procedures for taking soil samples Perform and interpret soil tests for texture, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and salinity
Operating Equipment	Load material on a truck or trailer with a loader Dig a ditch or planting hole with a backhoe Dig an irrigation ditch with a trencher or pull pipe equipped with a vibrating plow

Landscape Gardener

In addition to all competencies listed under skill levels 'A' - 'E' the following competencies must be met.

Install and Maintain Shrubs, Ground Cover and Turfgrass	Topdress or fill depressions in lawn
Constructing & Maintaining Facilities	Construct a landscape structure (arbor, gazebo, bench, etc) Construct and maintain fencing (wood, chain-link, split rail) Construct a walkway Saw cut and repair a concrete or asphalt paved area Construct a retainer wall (timber, rock or block)
Preparing & Improving Soil	Prepare an ornamental or lawn area for planting
Operating Equipment	Dig an irrigation ditch with a trencher or pull pipe equipped with a vibrating plow Operate a compact tractor Operate a skid-steer tractor Operate an electric or gas utility cart Mow lawns with a reel-type mower

Plant Care Worker

In addition to all competencies listed under skill levels 'A' - 'F' the following competencies must be met.

Chemical Spill Readiness	Prepare field notes using approved techniques and terminology
Tree Installation & Maintenance	Demonstrate the safe use of a trailer-mounted aerial lift
Equipment Maintenance	Clean, sharpen and adjust chains on chainsaw