Gardener

Type of Appointment: Full-Time, Probationary

Collective Bargaining Unit: CSUEU – Unit 5

Job Classification: Gardener

Classification Salary Range: $3,544 - $5,782 per month

Anticipated Hiring Amount: $4,166 - $4,474 per month

Work Hours: Monday – Friday 6:00am-2:30pm

Recruitment Closing Date: March 14, 2023

THE DEPARTMENT

Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M) serves as the lead organization for planning, developing, and maintaining the campus’ natural and built environments in support of the university’s mission. The department seeks to preserve and enhance CPP’s history, aesthetics, physical assets, and natural ecosystems through coordinated planning, design, and construction of buildings, roads, infrastructure, landscaping, and other physical improvements. As an advocate on behalf of the university and its auxiliaries, FPM strives to provide facilities that meet scope, budget, operational needs, and functional requirements. FPM is comprised of approximately 200 facilities professionals (FTE) that also provides maintenance services including custodial services, landscaping, recycling, building and mechanical trades, energy and utility management, fleet, and auto services. The workforce is culturally diverse and multilingual. Its composition includes full time staff throughout FPM who are also earning their degrees and many whom have graduated from Cal Poly Pomona. The staff includes licensed architects and engineers, accountants, planners, project managers, administrative staff, carpenters, plumbers, locksmiths, painters, electricians, landscape architects, computer technicians, custodians and other building and mechanical trade technicians

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform skilled horticultural work in specialized planting areas and ornamental gardens on campus.
• Perform general grounds maintenance work, plant nursery stock, recommend proper irrigation schedules and fertilization schedules, trim and prune plants and trees.
• Perform minor irrigation repairs and maintain hand tools in proper condition.
• Make recommendations for the development of special planting areas; and select plants and flowers for ornamental gardens.
• Thorough knowledge of methods, materials and tools and equipment used in planting, trimming, pruning, cultivating, and caring for flowers, shrubs, lawns, and trees.
• Knowledge of common plant diseases, pests, and weeds and approved methods used in control and eradication.
• Under the supervision of the Manager of Landscape Services, selects, and mixes pesticides according to specific formulas to accomplish desired results.
• Safely applies pesticides. Provides advice and assistance to others regarding proper care of flowers and ornamental plants, pruning and other technical skills.
• Operate small equipment, including but not limited to riding mowers and tractors.
• Use and maintain computer based horticultural programs, relating to horticulture operations, record keeping, information gathering, and research. Maintains the information updates on the Campus Tree Inventory.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid California driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Two years of experience in performing work in the cultivation and care of nursery or ornamental plants including planting of seeds and cuttings, watering, fertilizing, transplanting, and pruning.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the names, characteristics, and use of trees, shrubs, and flowers; proper use and maintenance of gardening tools and equipment, flower, and plant propagation techniques, pruning techniques, characteristics of fertilizers, soil conditioners, and soils, and the effects of environment on plant life. Abilities: Ability to care for and maintain plants in all stages of growth; develop and execute a program of plant propagation and display; mix soils and fertilizers for plantings; read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position; and follow oral and written instructions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Three years of experience using trained horticulture skills in a professional or public setting.
• Experience in the maintenance of sports turf.
• Experience in tree pruning and maintenance.
• Maintain records, perform simple calculations and write at level appropriate to the position. Communicate effectively with supervisor, staff or customers.
• Possession of CA DPR Qualified Applicator’s Certificate (or Qualified Applicator’s License) or demonstrate the desire and ability to obtain the QAC (or QAL) upon employment.
• Landscape related professional certification(s) or Landscape related Associates Degree.

The incumbent must have the ability to maintain records, proficient in computer skills. Research, documentation, use and maintain operations of horticultural programs. The incumbent must know how to operate and perform basic maintenance related small power tool equipment, power hedge trimmers, power movers, backpack blower and power string trimmer. The incumbent must have the ability to demonstrate knowledge of plants, weeds, diseases, and other horticultural skills verbally and/or in writing. Must have knowledge of materials, tools, and equipment in landscape services.

COVID-19 Vaccination

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who physically access campus facilities or programs to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which includes obtaining a COVID-19 booster dose, or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/11030468/latest.

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California.   The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10899725/latest/. 

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current Cal Poly Pomona employee who was conditionally offered the position.  See policy at https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor//documents/employment-policies/hr2017-17.pdf.  

I-9: Employment Verification

Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10927154/latest/.

Smoking

Cal Poly Pomona is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.  See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/. 

Clery Act

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal Poly Pomona Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.cpp.edu/campus-safety-plan.shtml.

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at [email protected]. More information is available at: https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor//access-accommodations/index.shtml.

EEO

Cal Poly Pomona is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. The university subscribes to the pay transparency nondiscrimination provision and all state and federal regulations that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and covered veteran status. More information is available at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf and at https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor/documents/aa-eeo-doc/policy-statement_2022-aap-for-california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona_confidential_20220127.pdf.