GARDNER LEAD, HARDSCAPES

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. 

This individual will lead and work with gardeners and other assigned personnel in performing skilled work in the development, maintenance, and improvement of campus hardscapes, lawns, sports complex, and greenhouse.

The primary function of this position will be to perform skilled tasks requiring knowledge of sustainable and organic land care practices, synthetic athletic field turf preventative maintenance, and hardscape and site furnishings preventative maintenance and repair. Skilled tasks include pressure washing and general upkeep of hardscapes and site furnishings, lawn care, including mowing, edging, fertilization, and aeration, and synthetic field turf management and maintenance, and the use of a variety of hand tools and power equipment. The distinguishing characteristic of this position is that it regularly assigns, instructs, and checks the work of other grounds personnel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain campus lawns
• Perform preventative maintenance on all campus hardscapes and site furnishings
• Perform preventative maintenance on campus synthetic field turf athletic field and tennis courts, sand volleyball court, and outdoor basketball court
• Service exterior garbage, recycling, and compost containers
• Pick-up litter, scrape gum, empty smoking urns, clean-up spills
• Design, plant, and maintain high profile campus display pots
• Propagate annual plants in campus greenhouse for display pots
• Apply organic fertilizers, compost tea, and soil inoculants
• May install, repair, and operate irrigation system
• Use a variety of hand tools such as pruning shears, rakes, shovels, hoes, pitchforks, and hand saws
• Operate power and motorized equipment such as line trimmers, chain saws, backpack blowers, mowers, pressure washers, utility vehicles, tractors, trucks, lifts, and snow equipment
• Clean, service, and maintain tools and equipment
• Hazardous Waste Clean-Up: Sharps disposal, Chemical Spills, etc.
• Remove snow and ice from areas such as sidewalks, stairs, roads, ramps and parking garages and lots
• Apply deicer, salt, sand as required
• During inclement weather operate power brushes, spreaders, plow trucks, truck-mounted sanding and deicing units
• Direct and check the work of others and take correct action if necessary
• Perform Traffic Control Flagging
• Assist with and/or perform tours of campus landscape and/or operations for Students, Faculty, Staff and the general public as required
• Assist with Campus Events as required
• Assist other Facilities Teams and/or other Campus Departments as required
• Perform related duties as required

In the performance of these duties, the Gardener Lead - Hardscapes will be working outside in all types of weather conditions. Foul weather gear is routinely worn. Personal Protective Equipment is worn as required. Exposure to, and contact with a diversity of plant materials, soil, pollen, wild animals, and insects is routine.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

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:

• Physical ability to do required work including ability to routinely lift/move up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work independently and lead a group
• Ability to communicate effectively to provide excellent instruction and customer service

DESIRED:

• Personnel management
• Organic land care
• Plant propagation
• Display pot design and maintenance

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Valid Washington State Driver’s License
• Ability to secure valid CPR, AED, and First Aid certificate within six months of hire
• Ability to secure valid Washington State Traffic Control Flagger certification within six months of hire
• This position is designated as one that performs an essential function. This means that the position’s incumbent must continue to report to work as directed in the event that the University suspends operations because of severe weather, natural disaster, or other emergency condition.

Shift: Monday - Friday, 6am-2:30pm (Spring/Summer), 7am-3:30pm (Fall/Winter)

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 assessments 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.