Grounds & Nursery I

State of Colorado; Sterling (CO); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Health, dental, vision

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, seeks a full-time Grounds and Nursery I to maintain campus grounds, assist with irrigation, and ensure a clean, safe environment for students and staff. The role includes lawn care, planting, snow removal, and operation of grounds equipment, with early morning hours and on-call duties during inclement weather.

Requirements include at least one year of grounds care experience and a valid driver's license; preferred knowledge of irrigation systems

Qualifications

• One year of grounds care/landscaping experience as the primary function of your job.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license to operate company vehicles and equipment.
• Must submit to a pre-employment background check including motor vehicle report (MVR).

Responsibilities

• Maintain lawns, plant beds, shrubs and trees; perform mowing, trimming, planting and edging.
• Inspect, clean and maintain campus grounds and equipment; assist with irrigation system maintenance.
• Snow removal and weather-related duties; ensure safe access to facilities.

Skills

Grounds care

Landscaping

Customer service

Job description

Northeastern Junior College, one of 13 member‑colleges of the Colorado Community College System, lies in the rural northeastern Colorado town of Sterling, located 128 miles northeast of Denver. Northeastern delivers a big‑school experience at a small‑school price. The numbers add up: 900 full‑time students from around the world, more than 2,000 part‑time students, more than 80 programs of study, and residence halls for more than 575 students. The community of approximately 12,000 residents enjoys easy access to Denver, the Rocky Mountains and the western‑agricultural lifestyle. You will admire the friendly culture of Northeastern Junior College and be inspired by our team environment and dedicated employees.

Benefits

• Generous annual and sick leave benefits; our employees stay because of the work/life balance they are able to obtain here.
• Attractive health, dental, vision, life, and flexible savings options; we will also help you build your retirement savings via our defined benefit or defined contribution plans.
• An opportunity to become a lifelong‑learner and enjoy considerable savings for the college education of your dependents through our tuition reimbursement program.

Note

Anticipated work hours for this position will be Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Flexibility in work schedule is required to meet the needs of the department.

Position Summary

This full‑time position is located in the Physical Plant at Northeastern Junior College and on the Main Campus. Position will work with co‑workers, employees and the general public to accomplish daily tasks. Provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers. Expedite and ensure quality standards for cleaning, maintenance and beautification of campus facilities and grounds. Ensure a clean, pleasant and safe environment for students, faculty, staff and the community.

Landscaping Maintenance

Operate a variety of manual tools and equipment to include tractors, plows, lifts, hand and riding mowers, trimmers, edgers, gator, and other grounds care equipment to maintain lawns, trees, bedded plants and flowers. Mow grass, trim, and rake; plant, transplant, spray and trim flowers, shrubs and small trees. Cut and remove limbs from dead trees. Assist with irrigation system maintenance and installation.

General Grounds Maintenance

Inspect and clean all campus areas including parking lots, around buildings and under shrubbery. Sweep and wash all outside entryways and empty outside trash receptacles. Provide access for subcontractors as needed. Attend staff trainings and meetings. Inspect, maintain and clean grounds equipment for proper operation and safety.

Snow Removal

Position will be on call to ensure safe access to facilities during inclement weather. Operate snow plow trucks, snow blowers, tractors and hand shovels during inclement weather events. Remove ice and snow from sidewalks, parking lots, and grounds using h and tools, shovels and small bladed vehicles. Apply ice melt and sand as needed.

Residency Requirement

Residents and non‑residents of Colorado may apply and be hired into this position as the work will be performed primarily at a location that is within 30 miles of the state border.

Class Code & Classification Description

D8E1XX Grounds and Nursery I

Minimum Qualifications

One (1) year of grounds care/landscaping experience as the primary function of your job. Do not use 'see resume' statements in application. Your application must be completed in detail, showing relevant experience in order to be considered. Part time experience will be prorated.

Substitutions

None

Necessary Special Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license to independently drive company vehicles and equipment around the campus, pick up parts, etc. Must submit to and successfully complete a pre‑employment background check to include a motor vehicle report (MVR) as a condition of hire. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from consideration for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges and convictions, it is your responsibility to provide NJC Office of Human Resources with an official disposition of the charges. Position is required to be available as early as 4:00 a.m. to perform snow removal and other duties during adverse weather conditions. Position will be required to work additional hours as needed during times of unusual storm occurrences or storm damage. An essential function of this position requires exertion of up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects (i.e. lifting equipment, pushing grounds equipment, removing snow, etc.). It also requires constant or frequent climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching. Successful candidate must be able to follow verbal communication and be able to read and comprehend written directions on labels, machinery and in manuals, etc. Also, must be able to interpret written directives, policies, guidelines and memos.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of irrigation systems. Previous experience operating a wide variety of landscaping equipment such as an edger, ATV, Skid steer, pruners, loppers, gator, string trimmer and hedge trimmer. Experience operating large deck mowers. Knowledge in maintaining baseball fields. Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Team player. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and written. Ability to multitask and be a self‑starter. Basic computer skills to create memos, complete timesheets and leave requests, etc.

Appeal Rights

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: [phone]. Phone: [phone]. Email address: [e-mail]. The ten‑day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Colorado Community College System believes when all human qualities are regarded with dignity and respect and when everyone has access to the individualized support they need, all will have the opportunity to thrive. In all aspects of the employment process, decisions are made based on merit, competence, performance and business need without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations

Northeastern Junior College is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency 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 to perform 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 our ADAAA Coordinator, Jeri Estrada, at [e-mail] or call 970-521-6730.

Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act

The Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act allows applicants to request a reasonable accommodation for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. If you require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Jeri Estrada, at [e-mail] or call 970-521-6730.

Address Confidentiality Program

If you are covered by the Address Confidentiality Program as provided by Colorado Revised Statute (CRS) 24-21-201 through 24-21-214, please notify the Human Resources office or analyst listed on this announcement so that you are provided the appropriate time extension for notifications provided by U.S. Mail. The extension allowed under this program applies only to U.S. Mail notifications that include a deadline of 10 days or less.

Security Information

For information regarding Northeastern Junior College Security, including crime statistics for the campus and surrounding area, please see the NJC Publication website under "About NJC": http://www.njc.edu/publications/. For a hard copy report please contact 970-521-6657.

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.

This posting may be used to fill one or more similar positions in the future.

NJC recognizes the importance of a workforce that is reflective of our diverse student community. As such, we are interested in selecting the best candidate from a diverse applicant pool.

Important Note To Applicants

Former employees of the Colorado Community College System or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinary terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information on your completed application.