"Grounds & Nursery I"

Envision yourself in a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment that has a deep commitment to position our graduates for success in their professional and personal lives. Visualize applying your energy and skills for an organization that respects and cares about its employees enough to offer some of the best benefits of the industry while encouraging every team member to grow, collaborate, and provide input on how to consistently make the workplace a place people love to work. Imagine working at a college that welcomes everyone — students, faculty, staff, and community members — regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or traditions. If what was just described is what you look for in a workplace, welcome to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)!

The Facilities Services Department at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of State Classified Grounds & Nursery I. This position exists to maintain and enhance campus grounds and floral beds, do routine equipment maintenance, provide trash pickup throughout the campus, assist with the recycle program, and provide seasonal snow removal.

Key Responsibilities:

• Landscape Maintenance Main Campus Properties: Provides landscape maintenance for the assigned zone; coordinates work with GNII to ensure standards and practices are met. Work includes mowing, edging, aeration, weed eating, topdressing, seeding, fertilizing turf, debris and trash clean up, gum removal and minor concrete flatwork and sprinkler system repairs, work includes fixing broken heads, and setting controllers. Plants are maintained according to department landscaping standards and practices. Sweep hard surfaces such as walkways and sitting areas of grass, dirt or other debris because of mowing / trimming using blowers, brooms and other cleaning equipment. Performs seasonal review of zone condition so a replacement or repair strategy can be budgeted and scheduled during the landscaping season. Furniture and outdoor fixtures kept functioning, clean and graffiti free. Submits work requests using the TMA work order system for customer requests and/or department identified needs. Provides excellent customer service. The position requires driving grounds related vehicles in all types of weather conditions.
• Maintaining a Clean and Safe Campus: Supports a clean outdoor campus area: cleaning up of trash on campus, emptying all outside trash containers, wiping top of trash cans, scrubbing cans, cleaning containers, wiping benches and tables, cleaning cigarette receptacles and the cleaning of bus stop terminals. Participate and assist in the recycle program to include cardboard collection and compost collection for the greenhouse. Identifies safety hazards, corrects issues within the scope of responsibility, and participates with outdoor sign, bike racks, site furnishings and handrail repairs.
• Equipment and System Maintenance: Participates in the maintenance of equipment; this includes campus owned vehicles, gators, lawn mowers, tractor, trailers, sanders, snowplows, edger, skid loader, backpack blowers, chain saws, trimmers and spreaders. Participate in seasonal start-up and blowout of irrigation systems.
• Snow Removal/Essential Services: Participates in the removal of snow and ice from campus. Provides sand for roadways and ice melt for walkways. Cleaning of sidewalks and roads after snow event. Operates heavy equipment (skid loader and dump truck) for snow removal and in support of campus operations. The position requires driving grounds related vehicles in all types of weather conditions.
• Chemical Application: Pesticide & Chemical Use - this position is to maintain knowledge and expertise in the proper use of standard landscape chemicals and pesticides. Apply pre-emergent chemical to all hardscape areas seasonally before weed growth occurs. Apply post-emergent chemical applications to all hardscape areas seasonally after weed growth has started.

Candidates must understand and comply with the following: Successfully pass a background check, Pre-employment Physical: Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry up to 50lbs, Pre-employment Drug Testing, Drug Free Workplace, Ongoing Functional Capacity Testing, Driver's License Requirement, Essential Services Designation, Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare, Employee may be expected to work various shifts to include nights, weekends and holidays, depending on the needs of the building or work group, Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials, Lab areas & exposure to cleaning products, Possible exposure to Infectious Materials/Human Blood or Bodily Fluids.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: One year of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position such as grounds and nursery, landscaping, storm water maintenance, outdoor services, or other related fields. Must possess a valid driver's license. Must be a Colorado Resident.

Preferred Qualifications: One year or more experience in an Essential Personnel role. Two years of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position such as grounds and nursery, landscaping, storm water maintenance, outdoor services, or other related fields. (Preferably working in a higher education/institutional environment.)

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to move. This position involves climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling and fine motor skills. Tasks may involve using a computer screen continuously for long periods of time. Talking and hearing within normal range. Clarity of vision for 20 feet or more, depth perception and accommodation. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and frequently required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position will be responsible for removing snow and ice when seasonal conditions require it. Working conditions: this position will have exposure to extreme cold, heat, and atmospheric conditions. May have exposure to electrical shock or exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.