Grounds %26 Nursery Technician

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the University of Colorado Colorado Springs as a Grounds & Nursery Technician to maintain scenic campus grounds. This role involves landscape maintenance, equipment management, and supporting environmental initiatives in a vibrant educational community that values innovation and growth.

Benefits

Generous Time Off

Robust Health Coverage

Financial & Retirement Benefits

Further Your Education

Wellness Programs

Qualifications

• One year of experience in grounds care and maintenance.
• Experience in essential personnel role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform landscape maintenance and ensure campus safety.
• Maintain equipment and manage chemical applications.
• Conduct seasonal snow removal and trash pickup.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Landscaping

Safety compliance

Education

Valid State of Colorado driver's license

Job description

Job Description

Grounds & Nursery Technician

Facilities Services

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies! Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Grounds & Nursery Technician to join our team! UCCS offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters innovation, growth, and the holistic development of its students.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery--a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary Range : $ 41,808.00 - $ 46,337.00 annually . Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location: O n-site .

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off : Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage : Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits : Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education : Avail nine waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More : From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

The purpose of this work unit is to ensure exterior areas are maintained according to campus seasonal standards and expectations. Maintain the campus property using environmental stewardship principles and effective budget management practices. Support environmental campus initiatives. Provide grounds service support for campus events or activities. Manage the exterior environment according to campus safety practices and protocols. This position exists to maintain and enhance campus grounds and floral beds, do routine equipment maintenance, provide trash pickup throughout the campus, assist with the recycle program, and provide seasonal snow removal.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Landscape Maintenance Main Campus Properties:
  • Working within the assigned zone, decide what turf sections need to be maintained first, based on campus walking traffic and noise related to building activity.
  • If during the mowing process a sprinkler head gets broken, determine repair strategy based on complexity of the break and its location.
  • Working with large equipment for mowing, sweeping, edging, trimming, etc.
• Maintain a clean and safe campus:
  • During the assigned route, when trash is spotted on the ground trash is picked up.
  • Assesses bench and table cleanliness daily. Makes decision to wipe down or postpone to next day based on surface condition.
  • During route identifies sidewalk has a raised edge causing a safety condition. Determines temporary method to identify hazard and communicates the issue to the supervisor.
  • Evaluates handrail paint condition. If the surface condition is poor, creates a work order and schedules rail painting.
  • Work includes mowing, edging, aeration, weed eating, top dressing and seeding, fertilizing of turf, debris and trash clean up, minor landscaping, minor flatwork and sprinkler system repairs, and work includes fixing broken heads, and setting controllers.
  • Plants should be maintained according to department landscaping standards and practices.
• Equipment and System maintenance:
  • Assesses equipment condition and determines cleaning schedule.
  • Checks fluids daily and determines amounts to be added based on specs.
  • Evaluates condition of mower blades based on performance. Sharpen blades or turns a work request in to the maintenance team for sharpening.
• Snow removal:
  • Determine high priority surface areas, clean and sand first.
  • Identify slip, fall hazards from weather, and apply ice melt per the manufacturer's recommendation.
• Chemical application:
  • Determine proper time to apply pre-emergent chemical.
  • Identify when weeds are present if manual removal or chemical treatment is the better method.
  • Identify if weather conditions are suitable for product applications.
• Other duties as assigned:
  • Emergency response.
  • Short term re-assignment

Candidates must understand and comply with the following:

• Successfully pass a background check
• Pre-employment Physical: Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry up to 50lbs.
• Pre-employment Drug Testing
• Drug Free Workplace
• Ongoing Functional Capacity Testing
• Driver's License Requirement
• Essential Services Designation
• Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare
• Employee may be expected to work various shifts to include nights, weekends and holidays, depending on the needs of the building or work group
• Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: 06/15/2025 .
• Potential interview dates: 06/23/2025 - 07/03/2025.
• Potential start date: 07/15/2025.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in grounds care and maintenance, greenhouse, or plant nursery general labor work appropriate to the job assignment is required.
• Must possess a valid State of Colorado driver's license and pass a criminal and motor vehicle background check.
• Experience in essential personnel role is preferred.

Job:Facilities/Labor,Trades %26 Crafts