Grounds & Nursery I

Western Colorado University; Gunnison (CO); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Colorado PERA retirement

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Tuition benefits after one year of (em

Job summary

Western Colorado University is seeking a Grounds & Nursery worker for the Gunnison campus. The role supports maintenance of university grounds, athletic fields, and related facilities, including operating heavy equipment and winter maintenance.

The position emphasizes safety and reliability, with responsibilities ranging from irrigation and landscaping to event setup and site preparation for university activities.

Qualifications

• One year of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.
• High school degree or equivalent.
• Strong overall computer literacy.

Responsibilities

• Operates heavy equipment including mowers, sweepers, tractors, backhoe, water trucks, dump trucks, and snowplows.
• Irrigates lawn and grounds; sprays herbicides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizer; repairs and maintains sprinkler system.
• Removes snow and ice from sidewalks, parking lots and other areas; sands drives and sidewalks.
• Plants, prunes, weeds, sprays, and maintains trees, shrubs, and flowers.
• Cleans parking lots, sidewalks, lawns, and athletic fields.
• Moves furniture, supplies, and equipment for campus events and staff.
• Patches asphalt and replaces concrete as necessary in sidewalks and drives.
• Sets up for football games, meets and other events.

Skills

One year of relevant experience

Strong computer literacy

Education

High school degree or equivalent

Job description

Pay Range:

$21.12 - $29.57

Position Summary:

Job Description:

_ Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum. _

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:

Western Colorado University is a residential, public university with an enrollment of 3,000 students who come from across Colorado and all fifty states. Faculty and staff members share a strong commitment to personalized education with the liberal arts as its core. They are student-oriented, collegial, energetic, and engaged in the campus and community. The curriculum provides flexibility where experiential learning and interdisciplinary approaches are valued. The University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver. At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides exceptional year-round outdoor recreational opportunities. Employees have chosen Western because of the quality of life combined with rewarding careers. To learn more about the University, visit www.western.edu. For a glimpse of Western’s wonderful location in the Gunnison Valley, visit gunnisoncrestedbutte.com.

In addition to rewarding, meaningful work, Western offers employees:

• Colorado PERA retirement
• Voluntary participation in 401(k), 457, and 403(b) retirement plans
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (with generous employer premium contributions)
• Basic life insurance coverage (at no cost)
• Optional life insurance for employees and their families
• Short-term disability coverage (at no cost)
• Optional long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending plans
• Employer contributions to a qualified Health Savings Account
• 11 paid state holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• An annual campus health fair with free biometric/blood screenings, free flu shots, and other free screening services available
• Discounted memberships to the campus fieldhouse and fitness center
• Employee and dependent tuition benefits after one year of employment

DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

ABOUT GROUNDS & NURSERY

The Grounds & Nursery work unit maintains, repairs, and improves University grounds, athletic fields, roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. The work unit operates the computerized irrigation system, provides operational support for special events, moves furnishings, removes snow, and repairs equipment and vehicles. This work unit is housed within the Campus Operations department, which is responsible for the creation and maintenance of on-campus environments that foster academic and research excellence.

JOB DUTIES

• Operates heavy equipment including mowers, sweepers, tractors, backhoe, water trucks, dump trucks, & snowplows.

• Irrigates lawn and grounds. Sprays herbicides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizer. Repairs and maintains sprinkler system.

• Removes snow and ice from sidewalks, parking lots and any other area where snow and ice create a problem; sands drives and sidewalks for the safety of pedestrians and vehicles.

• Plants, prunes, weeds, sprays, and performs other upkeep duties on trees, shrubs, and other plants and flowers.

• Cleans parking lots, sidewalks, lawns, and athletic fields of trash and debris.

• Moves furniture, supplies, and equipment for campus events and staff. Assists in the moving of office furniture and desks.

• Patches asphalt and replaces concrete as necessary in sidewalks and drives.

• Sets up for football games, meets and other events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience Only: One (1) year of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school degree or equivalent

• Strong overall computer literacy

_ When submitting the initial employment application/materials for this position, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an education institution or program. _

FOR CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO:

Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be a Colorado Resident at the time of application

• The selected candidate must pass a criminal background check

• The selected candidate must pass a pre-employment physical

• This position is designated as essential services (meaning it performs services directly necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of Western Colorado University facility users. As such, there may be times when the position is required to work unexpected or unusual work hours without delay or interruption to perform essential and/or emergency services.)

APPEAL RIGHTS

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([e-mail]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at [phone]; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.govunder Rules.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

RESIDENCY REQUIRMENT

Our state constitution requires that applicants for classified positions must be current residents of Colorado AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS PROCESS

Please be aware the application review is based solely upon the information provided in your application. Therefore, it is imperative that you provide extensive detail in these sections of your application. You should specifically address how, and in what capacity, your work experience satisfies the minimum requirements of this position, as well as the preferred qualifications.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

If you require special accommodations because of a disability, it is your responsibility to notify the Office of Human Resources (by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 970-943-2003) prior to the closing deadline of the job announcement.

Methods of Appointment: Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies represented by this announcement is expected to be from the eligible list created. However, at the discretion of the appointing authority, the position(s) may be filled by another method of appointment for a valid articulated business reason.

Please note the eligible list derived from this announcement may be used to fill more than one vacancy.

Primary Physical Work Address: Western Colorado University Campus, 1 Western Way,Gunnison, CO 81231

Hiring Pay Rate: $21.34 per hour ($3,698 monthly)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information: Sherry Ford, AVP for Campus Operations and Construction: [e-mail]

Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at [e-mail] or [phone].

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS