Grounds & Nursery I

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental, Vision, Life and Disability

Paid vacation and sick leave

Retirement plans

Tuition Assistance

Paid Parental Leave

Housing resources

Job summary

CU Colorado Springs is seeking a Grounds & Nursery I in Facilities Services to maintain landscaped areas, support sustainability, and keep campus spaces safe and welcoming. Responsibilities include snow removal, equipment maintenance, and enforcing safety standards on an on-site campus.

The role requires physical work, ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and compliance with essential services. Competitive benefits are offered, with overtime eligibility and a starting salary of $44,376 per year.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in grounds and nursery, landscaping, storm water maintenance, outdoor services, or related fields.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Colorado residency is required for applicants.

Responsibilities

• Landscape maintenance within assigned zones (65%).
• Maintain a clean and safe campus (10%).
• Equipment and system maintenance (5%).
• Snow removal and other duties as assigned (15%).
• Chemical application as needed (5%).

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Driver's license

Safety awareness

Job description

Grounds & Nursery I

Facilities Services

Candidates are required to submit the following to be considered for this position:

• Resume, with date ranges, whether it was full or part time, and hours per week worked.
• DD-214 for veteran applicants.
• Colorado law requires that candidates for state government jobs be residents of Colorado at the time of application.

• This is an essential service position (Required to be on duty to perform essential and/or emergency services of the agency without 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 the employee
  • Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance
  • Generous paid vacation and sick time accruals (starting 8 hours of vacation and 6.66 hours of sick accrued per month, prorated if part-time)
  • Mandatory retirement plans. Employees contribute 5% of their annual 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 Housing Resources

Work Location:

Onsite

Description:

This position plays a key role in creating and maintaining an attractive, safe, and welcoming campus environment for Auxiliary Funded spaces. Responsibilities include maintaining landscaped areas and floral displays, caring for campus grounds, supporting sustainability efforts through recycling programs, collecting litter and debris, performing routine maintenance on grounds equipment, and assisting with seasonal snow and ice removal. Through attention to detail and a commitment to service, this position helps preserve the beauty, accessibility, and functionality of the campus for the entire university community.

The key responsibilities include:

Landscape Maintenance 65 %

• 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.
• If visual turf condition indicates stress assess the condition, then report the findings to the GNII or Supervisor so corrections can be made.

Maintaining a clean and safe campus 10 %

• 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.

Equipment and System maintenance 5%

• 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 & Other Duties as Assigned 15%

• Determine high priority surface areas, clean and sand first.
• Identify slip, fall hazards from weather, and apply ice melt per the manufacturer's recommendation.
• When driving a snow removal vehicle determines snow, push locations and the impact of that location on roadway or parking space 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 chemical treatment is the better method.
• Identify if weather conditions are suitable for product applications.

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
• 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
• Lab areas & exposure to cleaning products
• Possible exposure to Infectious Materials/Human Blood or Bodily Fluids

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 to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check.

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at [phone].

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

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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 possess a valid driver's license.
• Must be a Colorado Resident.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year or more experience in an Essential Personnel role.
• Two years 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. (Preferably working in a higher education/institutional environment.)

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to move. This position involves climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling and fine motor skills. Tasks may involve using a computer screen continuously for long periods of time. Talking and hearing within normal range. Clarity of vision for 20 feet or more, depth perception and accommodation. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and frequently required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position will be responsible for removing snow and ice when seasonal conditions require it. Working conditions: this position will have exposure to extreme cold, heat, and atmospheric conditions. May have exposure to electrical shock or exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented a misconduct history check program with respect to final candidates for specific appointments. The misconduct history check program is intended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination - before making hiring decisions. All final candidates to these appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contact information for their previous institutions.

Job Category

Facilities/Labor,Trades & Crafts

Primary Location

Colorado Springs

Department

C0001 -- Colorado Springs Campus - 40117 - VCAF-Facility Services

Schedule

Full-time

Posting Date

Oct 29, 2026

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Posting Contact Name

Ashley Mckinney

Posting Contact Email

[e-mail]

Position Number

00750100