Grounds & Nursery I

University of Colorado System; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Vacation and sick time

Retirement plan matching

Tuition assistance

Parental leave

Housing assistance

Job summary

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is seeking a Grounds & Nursery I within Facilities Services to maintain campus landscapes, support sustainability efforts, and assist with snow and ice removal. Responsibilities span landscaping, safety checks, equipment upkeep, and seasonal tasks to ensure a welcoming campus environment.

The role requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to pass background checks.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• One year of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position such as grounds and nursery, landscaping, storm water maintenance, outdoor services, or other related fields.
• Must be a Colorado Resident.

Responsibilities

• Landscape maintenance across the assigned zone and turf sections. Prioritize based on campus walking traffic and building activity.
• Maintain a clean and safe campus by picking up trash, ensuring bench/table cleanliness, and addressing identified hazards.
• Perform equipment and system maintenance, check fluids, and schedule maintenance tasks.
• Oversee snow removal and other duties as assigned, including identifying slip hazards and applying ice melt as per guidance.
• Apply chemicals properly for pre-emergent treatment and weed control when appropriate.

Job description

Grounds & Nursery I

Facilities Services

Applications for this position will be accepted through11/8/2026 .

Candidates are required to submit the following to be consideredfor this position:

• Resume, with date ranges, whether it was full or part time, andhours per week worked.
• DD-214 for veteran applicants.
• Colorado law requires that candidates for state government jobsbe residents of Colorado at the time of application.
• This is an essential service position (Required to be on dutyto perform essential and/or emergency services of the agencywithout delay and/or interruption).

What We Offer:

• The salary for this position starts at $44,376 ($3,698 /month)
• This position has been determined to be eligible for overtime(non-exempt) under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers excellent benefits, some of which include
  • Medical insurance, with the lowest cost option being $0 to theemployee
  • Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance
  • Generous paid vacation and sick time accruals (starting 8 hoursof vacation and 6.66 hours of sick accrued per month, prorated ifpart-time)
  • Mandatory retirement plans. Employees contribute 5% of theirannual compensation. CU doubles that and contributes 10%
  • Tuition Assistant Benefit available to you or a dependent
  • Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of employment
  • Off Campus HousingResources

Work Location:

Onsite

Description:

This position plays a key role in creating and maintaining anattractive, safe, and welcoming campus environment for AuxiliaryFunded spaces. Responsibilities include maintaining landscapedareas and floral displays, caring for campus grounds, supportingsustainability efforts through recycling programs, collectinglitter and debris, performing routine maintenance on groundsequipment, and assisting with seasonal snow and ice removal.Through attention to detail and a commitment to service, thisposition helps preserve the beauty, accessibility, and functionality of the campus for the entire universitycommunity.

The key responsibilities include:

Landscape Maintenance 65 %

• Working within the assigned zone, decide what turf sectionsneed to be maintained first, based on campus walking traffic andnoise related to building activity.
• If during the mowing process a sprinkler head gets broken,determine repair strategy based on complexity of the break and itslocation.
• If visual turf condition indicates stress assess the condition,then report the findings to the GNII or Supervisor so correctionscan be made.

Maintaining a clean and safe campus 10 %

• During the assigned route, when trash is spotted on the groundtrash is picked up.
• Assesses bench and table cleanliness daily. Makes decision towipe down or postpone to next day based on surface condition.
• During route identifies sidewalk has a raised edge causing asafety condition. Determines temporary method to identify hazardand communicates the issue to the supervisor.
• Evaluates handrail paint condition. If the surface condition ispoor, creates a work order and schedules rail painting.

Equipment and System maintenance 5%

• Assesses equipment condition and determines cleaningschedule.
• Checks fluids daily and determines amounts to be added based onspecs.
• Evaluates condition of mower blades based on performance.Sharpen blades or turns a work request in to the maintenance teamfor sharpening.

Snow removal & Other Duties as Assigned 15%

• Determine high priority surface areas, clean and sandfirst.
• Identify slip, fall hazards from weather, and apply ice meltper the manufacturer's recommendation.
• When driving a snow removal vehicle determines snow, pushlocations and the impact of that location on roadway or parkingspace use.
• Emergency response.
• Short term re-assignment

Chemical application 5%

• Determine proper time to apply pre-emergent chemical.
• Identify when weeds are present if manual removal or chemicaltreatment is the better method.
• Identify if weather conditions are suitable for productapplications.

Candidates must understand and comply with thefollowing:

• Successfully pass a background check
• Pre-employment Physical: Must be able to push, pull, lift,carry up to 50lbs.
• Pre-employment Drug Testing
• Driver's License Requirement
• Essential Services Designation
• Required to report without delay or interruption to provideessential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, andwelfare
• Employee may be expected to work various shifts to includenights, weekends and holidays, depending on the needs of thebuilding or work group
• Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials
• Lab areas & exposure to cleaning products
• Possible exposure to Infectious Materials/Human Blood or BodilyFluids

Tentative Search Timeline:

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by:11/08/2026 .
• Potential interview dates: 11/18/2026 - 11/25/2026.
• Potential start date: 12/14/2026.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed toproviding a safe and productive learning, living and workingcommunity. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct backgroundinvestigations for all prospective applicants being considered foretions. Background investigations include a criminal historyrecord check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motorvehicle history check.

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Incompliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of itscommitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embracesdiversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on thebasis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, genderidentity or expression, genetic information, political affiliationor political philosophy in its programs or activities, includingemployment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternativeformats of this ad can be provided upon request for individualswith disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at(719) 255-3372.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verificationof employment eligibility be documented for all new employees bythe end of the third day of work.

Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications:

• One year of experience in an occupational field related to thework assigned to the position such as grounds and nursery,landscaping, storm water maintenance, outdoor services, or otherrelated fields.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must be a Colorado Resident.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year or more experience in an Essential Personnelrole.
• Two years of experience in an occupational field related to thework assigned to the position such as grounds and nursery,landscaping, storm water maintenance, outdoor services, or otherrelated fields. (Preferably working in a highereducation/institutional environment.)

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee isfrequently required to move. This position involves climbing,balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling andfine motor skills. Tasks may involve using a computer screencontinuously for long periods of time. Talking and hearing withinnormal range. Clarity of vision for 20 feet or more, depthperception and accommodation. The employee must occasionally liftand/or move up to 50 pounds, and frequently required to lift and/ormove up to 20 pounds. This position will be responsible forremoving snow and ice when seasonal conditions require it. Workingconditions: this position will have exposure to extreme cold, heat,and atmospheric conditions. May have exposure to electrical shockor exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented amisconduct history check program with respect to final candidatesfor specific appointments. The misconduct history check program isintended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specificallyconduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination - before making hiring decisions. All finalcandidates to these appointments are required to complete anAuthorization to Release Information and provide contactinformation for their previous institutions.