CIVOD-19 FAQ
Q: Is landscaping considered an essential service?
A: Yes. The Federal government (Department of Homeland Security) has classified landscapers as an essential business under the Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services (within the Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19). Here is why:
- Supports other life-sustaining industries and businesses through maintenance of their property (access to roads/utilities)
- Maintains property areas that could jeopardize public safety— keeping public and private pathways free from obstruction and potential hazards (e.g. performing tree removals and reducing overhead hazards)
- Maintains green spaces and community areas, creating stronger and healthier neighborhoods (e.g. playgrounds, parks and playing fields)
- Provides treatments that reduce the transmission of dangerous and deadly diseases through pests like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.
- Inspects for safety and security issues, manages invasive species and controls weeds and water run-off.
Q: Are you open and operating?
A: Yes, we are still performing commercial landscape management and landscape construction services as permitted by state and federal regulations, with several safety precautions in place.
Q: What steps have you taken to ensure your customers’ and employees’ safety?
A: We have enacted the following protocols to protect employees/minimize exposure risk:
- Wearing masks on all job sites
- Office staff mostly working from home – limited personnel in offices
- Putting only four people in a six-passenger truck (one person per window seat)—all wearing masks.
- Allowing field staff to direct report to job sites where possible/desired
- Schedule flexibility to accommodate childcare issues
- Disinfecting trucks and high-impact areas at least twice per day
- Assigning crew members to the same truck daily (no changing trucks/seats, no exposure to other crew members) as scheduling and attendance permits.
We are constantly communicating customers to determine their needs and comfort levels, and making adjustments as needed (i.e. avoiding entering buildings/interior spaces at senior communities and construction job sites). If you have a special request or newly implemented guidelines we should be following for your property or job site, please let us know.
Q: Can you do video consultations and/or meetings for services I’m considering?
A: Our team will be happy to meet with you virtually to discuss your needs.
Q: What is the best way to reach a Ruppert representative?
A: As always, we are available to answer questions or address concerns whenever you need us. If you are a current client, the best way to reach us is to email or call your main Ruppert contact on their cell phone. If you do not yet have a Ruppert contact, you can call our main office line (301-482-0300) or fill out this form, and someone will be in touch with you shortly.
Q: Are you still hiring during this time?
A: Yes! We are committed to hiring the best and brightest and keeping them here long-term. Especially during this challenging time, we are proud to be able to provide opportunity for those who have been displaced by other landscaping companies or other industries, or who are seeking a more stable career. We have a number of open positions ranging from crew/field level to management, and also in our shops (vehicle and equipment maintenance) and corporate departments (accounting, IT, HR, etc). Visit our careers page to view and apply for open positions.
