Gardening Specialist, Short-term, Temporary

The California State University; Sonoma (CA); On-site; USD 41,693 - 58,389; Full time

Job summary

The California State University is seeking a Gardening Specialist in Sonoma for a 3-month appointment emphasizing sustainable horticultural practices. Responsibilities include managing various gardening tasks, irrigation system repair, and ensuring plant health. Candidates should have two years of experience in landscaping, with relevant licenses and proficiency in Microsoft Office. The position offers a salary range of $3,736 to $5,232 per month based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in landscaped area maintenance.
• One year of irrigation systems maintenance experience.
• Experience with safe pesticide handling.

Responsibilities

• Perform gardening work and specialized tasks.
• Conduct sprinkler repair and horticultural spray work.
• Emphasize sustainable horticultural practices.

Skills

Experience in care and maintenance of landscaped areas

Knowledge of pesticide handling

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Experience with irrigation systems

Education

California Driver’s License

Pest control license or certification

Job description

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Job no: 557379

Work type: Staff

Location: Sonoma

Categories: Unit 5 - CSUEU - Operations and Support Services, Custodial/Facilities, Temporary, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Application Process

This position is open until filled. For full consideration, please submit application, along with cover letter and resume, by 8am on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Please review the position description listed above for full scope of responsibilities and qualifications. Evidence of degree(s) or certificate(s) and/or license(s) required at time of hire.

Job Summary

This is a 3-month appointment. Reappointment or extension of this position is dependent upon the individual's performance as well as administrative and budgetary considerations.

Reporting to and under the general supervision of the Landscape Manager, and with additional lead work direction provided from other members of the Facilities Management team, the Gardening Specialist performs a wide variety of gardening work and performs a combination of specialized work in an assigned area which encompasses sprinkler repair work, horticultural spray work, and plant propagation, and gardening or nursery work on campus properties. This position emphasizes sustainable horticultural practices, including the application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles to ensure plant health and ecological balance. The Gardening Specialist works both independently and in a work team environment, as assigned by the Landscape Manager.

Key Qualifications

This position requires two years of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or general grounds, one year of which shall have been in either the maintenance, repair or modification of irrigation systems, specialized pest and/or spray control work, or cultivation and care of nursery plants. Experience in the safe use and handling of pesticides and other pest control substances is required. Beginning proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) required. Knowledge of Google Suite, computerized work control system and PeopleSoft preferred. The incumbent must successfully complete a pre-placement exam and must possess and/or obtain and thereafter maintain a California Driver’s License valid for the operation of any vehicle or equipment required to maintain and operate. The incumbent must also possess and/or obtain and thereafter maintain a pest control license or certification (Pest Control Adviser, Qualified Applicator License or Qualified Applicator Certificate from the California Department of Pesticide Regulations).

Salary & Benefits

This is a full time, temporary, non-exempt position. The CSU Classification Step Range for this position is $3,736 - $5,232 per month (step 1 - step 18). Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience. Step placement upon appointment is not expected to exceed Step 3 ($3,887 a month). Reappointment to this position is dependent upon the individual's performance as well as administrative and budgetary considerations. The university reserves the right to terminate this appointment earlier than the scheduled expiration date.

For eligible employees, CSUEU collective bargaining agreement Article 17.10 will be honored.

Equal Opportunity & Mandated Reporting

The University is an Affir­meanative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be 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.

Employment Eligibility & Conditions

CSU Out of State Policy - Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.

Education Code 89521 - Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Note on Sponsorship

Sonoma State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Advertised: Apr 29 2026 Pacific Daylight Time