Gardener

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant team at a renowned institution dedicated to horticulture and landscape management. As a Landscape Technician, you will work outdoors, ensuring the university grounds are beautiful and well-maintained. This role offers the chance to develop horticultural skills while collaborating with a supportive team. Enjoy a stable work environment with opportunities for personal growth and career advancement. If you have a passion for nature and a commitment to excellence, this position is your gateway to a fulfilling career in landscape management.

Benefits

Health Benefits

Vacation Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Casual Dress

Tools Provided

Qualifications

• Nine months of experience managing grounds or equivalent education.
• Valid Utah driver’s license required; pesticide applicator’s license expected.

Responsibilities

• Maintain landscape areas to ensure safety and aesthetic appeal.
• Perform regular gardening tasks including weeding, pruning, and watering.
• Operate various tools for landscape maintenance and snow removal.

Skills

Customer Service

Problem Solving

Horticultural Skills

Plant Identification

Tool Operation

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Physical Stamina

Analytical Skills

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Experience in Grounds Maintenance

Tools

Hand Pruners

Lawn Mowers

Chain Saws

Leaf Blowers

Utility Carts

Job description

If you are looking for a future in horticulture and enjoy working outdoors, come work as a Landscape Tech on the beautiful University of Utah campus grounds. Learn horticultural skills and plant identification at Utah’s state arboretum, where your dynamic team of 3 to 4 coworkers will teach and learn from you. You’ll also work alone and head projects on your own as you take advantage of our opportunities for education and advancement within the U of U family! Facilities Management mission is to provide a safe, sustainable, and attractive University environment.

As a member of the Facilities Management team, you will enjoy working in a stable Higher Education environment with plenty of opportunities to apply what you know while learning new skills. Do you have excellent customer service and problem-solving skills? Would you like to be challenged to take individual initiative in an environment that rewards your efforts with career growth opportunities? Many of the roles on the University of Utah’s Facilities Management Team are casual dress, tools are provided, and you’ll be working on resolving issues with experienced and knowledgeable team members who will help you build on the skills you bring to the team. This position offers health and vacation, and retirement benefits. Apply today!

Responsibilities

1. Responsible for landscape and installation of a specific area of the University to provide an aesthetically pleasing and safe environment, accomplished in accordance with university and department policies and procedures.
2. Regular gardening and landscape maintenance such as fertilizing, mowing, edging, laying sod, pruning, litter cleanup, weeding, snow removal, tree planting, and watering to conserve healthy and vigorous plants.
3. Control weeds and pests using principles of integrated pest management (IPM).
4. Must operate different models of tools such as hand pruners, loppers, push and ride lawn mowers, chain saws, leaf blowers, dump trucks, and utility carts.
5. Work expediently, efficiently, and independently with limited direction from Lead Horticulturist.
6. Perform snow removal in winter months utilizing shovels, blowers, and plows.
7. Prepare for and keep campus open and safe during inclement weather such as snow storms.
8. Knowledge of the common names of trees, shrubs, flowers, weeds, and insect pests.
9. Employees are required to be available for on-call snow removal during winter months.
10. A valid Utah driver’s license is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Nine months professional work experience with the responsibility for five or more acres of grounds, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); a valid Utah vehicle operator’s license required; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills required. Selected applicant will be expected to obtain a pesticide applicator’s license.

Preferences

Would prefer (but not required) experience with grounds maintenance, including knowledge of different plants and their requirements: watering, pruning, weeding, fertilizing, mowing, etc.

Ability to operate power tools and equipment normally associated with landscape maintenance.

Ability to withstand extensive standing, walking, bending, squatting, kneeling, digging and ability to lift at least 50 lbs.

Ability to work in all types of outside weather conditions, including excessive heat, excessive cold, excessive noise, dust, smoke, slippery or uneven surfaces.

Analytical and troubleshooting skills; ability to develop, plan, and implement short and long term goals.

Demonstrated oral and written communications skills; basic computing skills, customer service skills.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only
• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]