GARDENER LEAD [M - F; 6:55AM – 3:25PM]

Looking for stability with year-round employment? Our Gardener Lead position will provide you with one main job site, all tools provided, multiple retirement plans, health, life and long-term disability insurance coverage, pre-tax savings opportunities, vacation AND sick leave, 12 paid holidays, assistance with child and elder care, a free regional transit pass and active commute support, tuition exemption, no sales pressure, an employee health program, work/life balance, and more!

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

UW Facilities manages the University’s buildings, infrastructure and land, with more than 1,100 employees in a variety of fields. The Asset Management group includes Capital & Space Management, Real Estate, Sustainability and other teams responsible for planning and workload management. The Operations group includes Project Delivery, Maintenance & Construction, Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations, Building Services, Transportation Services and Safety. Supporting these groups are the Business Intelligence & Information Technology group and the Finance & Administration group. Please visit the UW Facilities web page for more information: UW Facilities .

Maintenance & Construction (M&C) is responsible for general maintenance, repair, and renovations of all University of Washington (UW) main campus facilities including building interiors, exteriors, and grounds, as well as logistics, moving, and disposal of surplus equipment and furniture.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a Gardener Lead to perform and lead personnel in specialized grounds duties requiring the skill and knowledge of cultivation and maintenance of trees, lawns and ornamental plants.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Grounds Maintenance Program Execution

• Perform and lead personnel in specialized grounds duties requiring the skill and knowledge of cultivation and maintenance of trees, lawns and ornamental plants.
• Prepare grounds for lawns, plants, trees and seasonal plantings.
• Plant seeds, bulbs, shrubs, trees and ground covers.
• Assign work to Gardener 2's and check that the work has been done correctly.
• Instruct Gardener 2's in proper techniques, tools and equipment use.
• Maintain plants through accepted horticultural standards including raking and removing leaves and litter and removing snow and ice from assigned pathways and stairs during inclement weather events.
• Monitor and adjust irrigation systems and write work orders for irrigation repair.
• Order materials to accomplish the work.
• Inspect projects to ensure compliance with design, local standards and codes, and capture updated as- built records to reflect actual field installation
• Use computer programs to accomplish tasks, including the work management and project scheduling systems, e-mail, calendars and spreadsheets; maintain work records and write reports as needed.
• Operate commercial motorized equipment such as automobiles and trucks - including dump trucks, high rangers, forklifts, scissor-lifts, tractors, front-end loaders, mowers, tillers, sweepers and trailers.
• Operate small engine equipment such as chain saws, string-line trimmers, sprayers and backpack blowers.
• Use a variety of hand implements and tools.
• Load and unload materials and supplies.
• Perform Gardener 2 work as necessary to meet production demands and assure proper service to campus clients.
• May instruct temporary workers.
• Operate vehicles such as UW vans and trucks to transport tools, equipment and personnel to various job sites.

Organizational Leadership and Engagement

• Positively support all management directives and actively promote the purpose and foundational values of M&C.
• Provide information for employee performance reviews to supervisor.
• Participate in the recruitment process.
• Communicate and collaborate with other UW Facilities shops and other business partners such as Project Delivery to facilitate work.
• Comply with all UW and UW Facilities policies and procedures, M&C protocols, i.e., Individual Accountability Protocols (IAP).
• Support all management directives and the vision and values of M&C.
• Participate in and follow through with M&C process improvement initiatives, including incorporating metrics and Lean principles into internal work processes, and promoting employee engagement in continuous improvements and innovation.
• Continuously promote a safe work environment.

Coordination

• Keep supervisors informed of project status, work progress, required project materials and equipment.
• Work and coordinate with skilled trades as required to maintain campus buildings, utilities and grounds.
• Participate in project meetings when scheduled.
• With shop supervisor, develop weekly work schedules and priority projects.
• Provide input to shop supervisor regarding timecard accuracy.
• Actively participate in meetings and trainings as scheduled.

Compliance

• Know and ensure that assigned personnel comply with occupational health and safety regulations specific to performance of the work.
• This will include Safety Data Sheet (SDS) instructions, Hazard Review Checklists (HRCs) and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
• Report all safety issues to the shop supervisor.
• Maintain professional knowledge of industry standards to ensure the best products at the best prices.
• Other duties as required

Core Competencies

• Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness.
• Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively.
• Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems.
• Be responsible and accountable.
• Use organizational skills and provide attention to details.
• Maintain a positive, optimistic, and success-oriented attitude.
• Exercise professionalism, which includes being tactful and courteous.
• Exhibit a professional work ethic.
• Continuously promote a safe work environment.

Requirements include:

• Physical ability to do required work AND two years of experience as a Gardener or equivalent work involving grounds maintenance, plant care and landscape construction.

OR

• Physical ability to do required work AND one year of experience as stated above AND one year of college level training in botany, horticulture, forestry, landscape, irrigation or allied field.

OR

• Equivalent education/experience.

Additional Requirements include:

• Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills and a proven ability to work successfully with people at all levels throughout the organization and with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Sustain professional behavior and composure in a fast paced, dynamic, customer service-driven environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Anticipate and recognize problems, and develop and implement creative, cost-effective solutions.
• Function within a complex regulatory environment.
• Effectively interpret and apply standards, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Work independently or as a member of a team to successfully prioritize and coordinate multiple programs and assigned tasks.
• Flexibility to meet changing and unforeseen requirements.
• Proven ability to lead by example in both performance and behavior and to hold employees accountable to established expectations.
• Demonstrated positive, optimistic, success-oriented attitude and support of the organization, policies, and management decisions.
• Strong personal integrity, trustworthiness and professional work ethic, leading by example in both performance and behavior, holding employees accountable to established expectations.
• Proven ability to take direction, meet expectations, and work cohesively as a member of a team.
• Knowledge and practical experience with WISHA (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) regulations
• Must be able to follow written and/or verbal instructions and communicate in English regarding the use of chemicals, supplies, and equipment.
• Possession of a valid Washington State Driver’s License or a license recognized as valid by the State of Washington.
• May be required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

• Demonstrated successful experience as a lead or supervisor.
• Demonstrated successful experience working with computerized maintenance management systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency with standard productivity software including Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent products.
• Certified as a Landscape Technician by the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP).
• Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional (WSNLA).

Conditions of Employment:

• Washington State Public Pesticide Operator License or obtain license within 120 days of employment.
• Work may require access to confined spaces and heights using appropriate safety precautions.
• Ability to lift and move heavy materials is required.
• Must be able to work outside under all weather conditions.
• Must be able to be fitted for and wear a respirator on the job.
• Approved footwear must be provided at the employee’s expense and worn on the job.
• Must be able to work in a non-smoking environment.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.