Employment

Gardener - Facilities, Planning, and Management - 17120 - EXTENDED DEADLINE

This posting is no longer available.

INTRODUCTION:

The Department of Facilities, Planning, & Management at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater seeks a Gardener, Landscape Maintenance.

This position is responsible for the design layout and planting of flowerbeds. Also included is the installing and maintaining of turf, woody plant materials. Will operate machinery and equipment to carry out above tasks as well as snow and ice removal. The incumbent is also responsible for overseeing the training and work of students, LTE's and classified employees assigned to them. This position will be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills. Position is listed as a level 2 for risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens. All work is performed under the general supervision of the Grounds Supervisor and the Grounds Lead. The normal work schedule for this position is 6 am to 2 pm Monday through Friday. Position work schedule may change, to include weekend and holiday hours, based upon operational need for snow and ice removal.

Pay will be starting at $15.00/hr or more based on experience.

JOB DUTIES:

50% A. Preparation, Planting, and Care of Flowers
  1. Cultivate, weed, mulch and water gardens as necessary
  2. Design and layout of flower beds utilizing personal knowledge of annual and perennial flower species and ornamental grass species.
  3. Spade or till flowerbeds and add soil amendments
  4. Recommend the purchase of plant stock based on location, type and matured size of plants.
  5. Evaluate flower health and vigor, fertilizing beds accordingly
  6. Check plant material throughout growing season and treat for insect and/or disease as needed
  7. Plant annual and perennial flowers
  8. Divide and transplant perennial flowers
  9. Plant and care for perennial flower seedlings in greenhouse
  10. Perform all duties associated with campus nursery and greenhouse
15% B. Maintenance of Shrubs & Trees
  1. Prune and shape shrubs and trees as required. Remove dead or damaged shrubs
  2. Apply mulches and cultivate shrub beds to control weed growth
  3. Recommend the purchase of shrubbery based on type, location, size and species
  4. Identify, plant and transplant varying species of shrubs and deciduous and coniferous trees
  5. Apply fertilizers and chemicals as necessary to maintain health and vigor of varying species of shrubs and trees
  6. Edge beds as necessary
  7. Create new beds
  8. Operate chipper to dispose of tree waste as required
20% C. Landscaping, Maintenance of Lawn Areas, Prairie Restoration & Maintenance
  1. Mow lawns, trim grass near fences, trees and other obstacles as required
  2. Edge lawns along sidewalks, drives, and any other lawn border
  3. Restore bare lawn areas by sodding or seeding as appropriate
  4. Treat lawn areas with fertilizers and chemicals as required
  5. Rake leaves, pick up litter and debris, and keep areas neat and attractive
  6. Aerate and thatch lawns as necessary
  7. Participate in prescribed prairie burns
  8. Perform invasive species removal
  9. Plant prairie seed
  10. Apply herbicides to prairie
  11. Collect prairie seed
  12. Install block walls, stone walls, patios, and walkways
  13. Make necessary grade changes
  14. Install edging brick, stone, or timbers
  15. Install drain tile
15% D. Snow and Ice Control and Other Grounds Maintenance Duties
  1. Operate trucks, tractors, and specialized equipment in clearing snow & ice from sidewalks, roads and parking lots
  2. Hand shovel, scrape, and apply snow melting chemicals to all handicap ramps, sidewalks, stairs, etc. to keep areas free of ice and snow
  3. Guide the work of LTE's and student workers
  4. Operate trucks, tractors, skid loaders, backhoes and other motorized equipment
  5. Operate small non-motorized lawn equipment and attachments
  6. Police campus area and pick up litter and trash
  7. Open clogged outside drains
  8. Perform equipment maintenance as necessary
  9. Assist with moving, hauling, and setups as needed
  10. Assist construction and crafts workers as needed
  11. Spray round up weed killer and broadleaf herbicides
  12. Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Ability to have and maintain a valid Driver's License and operate University vehicles
  • Ability to handle materials weighing up to 50 pounds
Desired Qualifications:
  • Ability to acquire private pesticide Applicator’s License within one year
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
  • Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills
  • Ability to operate tractors, skid loaders, dump trucks, front end loaders
  • Ability to operate riding lawn mowers from 6' to 18'
  • Ability to operate skid loader attachments (i.e., landscape rake, tiller, augers, forks, tree spade, various buckets and snow plow)
  • Ability to plow, bucket or hand shovel snow
  • Ability to operate sand and salt spreaders for ice and snow removal
  • Ability to operate snow blowers and rototillers
  • Ability to operate push lawn mowers and leaf sweepers
  • Ability to operate string trimmers and sidewalk edger’s
  • Ability to operate pole pruners
  • Ability to operate small grounds utility vehicles
  • Knowledge of various hand tools and equipment
  • Knowledge of floral bed preparation, planting and upkeep
  • Knowledge of herbicides and fertilizers
  • Knowledge of proper methods and techniques for planting, transplanting, pruning and trimming
  • Knowledge of methods and procedures in maintaining lawns
CAMPUS INFORMATION:

Founded in 1868, UW–Whitewater is one of eleven comprehensive universities in a public higher education system that also includes two doctoral institutions and a statewide Extension. In the fall of 2018, as a result of the University of Wisconsin System’s restructuring of the state’s 13 two-year campuses formerly known as UW Colleges, UW–Rock County began operating as a branch campus of UW–Whitewater under the new name of University of Wisconsin–Whitewater at Rock County. Together, these campuses form a preeminent academic institution driven by the pursuit of knowledge, powered by a spirit of innovation, and focused on transforming lives. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Main Campus and Rock County Campus are located conveniently near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, and thus offers the advantage of beautiful small-town environments with easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas.

The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs. UW-Whitewater has a special mission within the UW System to serve students with disabilities and, as such, embraces the principles of universal design and is one of the most accessible campuses in the state. The campuses have more than 200 student organizations and UW-Whitewater is a Division III NCAA university. UW-Whitewater is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally and ethnically diverse campus environment, building a diverse faculty and staff with expertise and interest in serving students with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities and other distinct characteristics in respectful, sensitive and understanding ways. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see http://www.uww.edu/asfr. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

To learn more about UW-Whitewater's competitive benefits packages go to our: ALEX webpage, which is our interactive benefits decision support tool.

SPECIAL NOTES:

UW-Whitewater embraces AAC&U’s LEAP principles (http://www.uww.edu/leap) and emphasizes student, staff and faculty participation in High-Impact Practices (https://www.aacu.org/resources/high-impact-practices). The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (http://www.uww.edu/orsp) provides support for faculty scholarly and creative activities as well as other opportunities to apply for reassigned time and/or other resources to support research activities. UW-Whitewater faculty and staff also have access to technology transfer and research resources provided by WiSys (https://www.wisys.org).

Conditions of Appointment:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.

The University of Wisconsin System is engaged in a Title and Total Compensation (TTC) project to redesign job titles and compensation structures. As a result of the TTC project, official job titles on current job postings is targeted to be implemented mid-2021. Job duties and responsibilities will remain the same. For more information please visit: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/title-and-total-compensation-study/

The University of Wisconsin - Whitewater has the authority to implement temporary workforce reduction and cost saving measures to address financial challenges resulting from the COVID-19 Crisis, consistent with Wisconsin law and Board of Regents, UW System, and UW-Whitewater policy and procedure.

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:

Applications received by July 16, 2021 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1072 or hrstudent@uww.edu.

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Stephanie Lederman
Office Operations Associate
262-472-1320
ledermas@uww.edu

HOW TO APPLY:


Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:
  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Name and contact information for three professional references
This Job ID is 17120

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