Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 2

Internal • Bellingham, WA

1d

About The Position

Provides skilled gardening work for University grounds in a comprehensive outdoor maintenance program. This includes, but is not limited to, safely maintaining, modifying, and/or repairing grounds facilities such as landscapes, trees, athletic fields, walkways, and grounds.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Two years of work experience involving grounds maintenance, planting, plant care, and landscape construction in a commercial and/or institutional setting
• Ability to operate gas powered machinery and small tractors
• Ability to read and understand written information and instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly.
• Ability to maintain and use hand and power tools safely as required for the trade.
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work in order to drive a state-owned vehicle for travel to work locations.
• Physically perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work with computer hardware and software required to track work orders and record time worked.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a friendly and cooperative manner with students, staff, and faculty at all levels of the organization and in contacts with the public.
• Ability to manage time well and work under pressure situations with tight schedules and deadlines to complete projects.

Nice To Haves

• Five years or more of maintenance experience in a commercial and/or institutional setting including proficiency in mowing, edging, pruning and general lawn maintenance and plant care.
• Applicable experience working at Western Washington University and knowledge of the campus landscape.
• Knowledge of plant identification and their characteristics.
• Certified Integrated Pest Management license.
• Master Gardener certification.
• Knowledge of arborist’s practices including training to promote tree health, discern tree problems, and take measures to correct them.
• Knowledge of WISHA/OSHA rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Landscaping and Gardening Tasks include:
• - Utilize manual tools and equipment such as rakes, pruning shears, loppers, shovels, and wheelbarrows.
• - Amend soil, i.e. fertilize, mulch.
• - Install and maintain landscaping, i.e. plant, weed, transplant, trim, and water.
• - Additional duties as needed.
• Equipment Operation Tasks include:
• - Operate power equipment such as weed trimmers, backpack blowers, rototillers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, aerators, sod cutters, etc.
• - Operate trucks and small tractor as needed.
• Tasks include:
• - Operate power equipment such as weed trimmers, backpack blowers, rototillers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, aerators, sod cutters, etc.
• - Operate trucks and small tractor as needed.
• Trash Removal Tasks include:
• - Litter pick up.
• - Empty trash cans.
• Ice and Snow Removal / Pesticide Application Tasks include:
• - Utilize sprayers and application tools.
• - Apply pesticides and herbicides as needed.

Benefits

• This position is part of bargaining unit B and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Washington Federation of State Employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees