Grounds & Nursery II

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 47,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Professional at the Fort Collins main campus. The role covers landscape care, turf maintenance, pruning, and irrigation system operation, with independent scheduling and coordination of projects within a university setting.

The position requires a minimum of two years of full-time landscape maintenance experience and includes responsibilities such as disease/pest identification, chemical treatments, and snow removal.

Qualifications

• Experience: Two (2) years of full-time commercial landscape and/or parks maintenance experience.
• EPA standards for pesticides and herbicides use; knowledge of glyphosate preferred.
• Experience operating commercial landscape equipment (mowers, loaders, toolcat, etc.).
• Leadership/supervisor experience preferred and state service experience.

Responsibilities

• Landscape maintenance of grass, shrubs, trees, beds and related features.
• Identify plant diseases and pests; apply remedies including herbicides/insecticides.
• Operate, program, and repair sprinkler/irrigation systems; maintain irrigation efficiency.
• Perform snow removal with tractors and equipment; assist with campus events.

Job description

Fully in-person/on-site

Fort Collins, CO

Full time

R2026108500

Job Description

Facilities Management is entrusted with the development, care, maintenance, and operation of Colorado State University’s physical properties. Our purpose is to create and sustain environments that support CSU’s land-grant mission, fostering the success of students, faculty, and staff through world-class academic, research, and outreach programs. To learn more about this department, please visit our website (https://www.fm.colostate.edu/about-us-page/).

Position Summary

As a Grounds Maintenance Professional, you will manage all aspects of landscape care, including turf maintenance, precision pruning, and the operation and repair of irrigation systems. You will be responsible for identifying plant diseases and pests, applying corrective chemical treatments, including Glyphosate, in accordance with EPA standards, and performing seasonal snow removal. Beyond manual labor, this role requires independent decision-making regarding daily schedules, equipment maintenance, and coordinating landscape projects with other university departments. This position is located at the main campus at CSU and works independently or in groups at that location.

This position will close on Friday, December 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Specific Duties

• Landscape Maintenance - Performs landscape maintenance of grass, shrubs, trees, other plant material and beds including hand mowing, string trimming, shrub pruning, planting bed maintenance.
• Landscape Health - Identifies disease, insect infestation and need for pruning or thinning of plant material. Recommends and carries out remedies to include mixing and applying herbicide/insecticide (including glyphosate), ensuring proper pruning or removal of plant material.
• Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems - Operate, maintain, and repair sprinkler and irrigation systems in assigned areas, including programming controllers, adjusting and repairing sprinkler heads and valves.
• Snow Removal - Performs snow removal with broom tractors, truck mounted snowplows, snow blowers, and hand shoveling.
• Campus Event Support - Provides preparation and support for university events and other events on the campus (i.e. graduation, athletic events).

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background check
• Motor Vehicle Background Check (required for new hires)
• Pre-employment Physical
• Essential Services Designation
• Driver's license required
• On-call Status
• In-person

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for this position, candidates must demonstrate in the application materials:

Experience Only: Two (2) years of full-time commercial landscape and/or parks maintenance experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with herbicide and pesticide mixing, spraying and applying.
• Experience operating commercial equipment such as mowers, loaders, toolcat, etc.
• Working knowledge of basic large equipment maintenance and repair
• Experience operating, maintaining and repairing sprinkler and irrigation systems.
• Knowledge of landscape health and pruning
• Experience with snow removal
• Previous experience in a leadership/supervisor role
• Directly related state service experience

Salary Range

$46,584 - $55,908

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here. (http://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. (http://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/)
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Notes

• Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies represented by this announcement is expected to be made 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.
• The selection process for State Classified positions may include exam(s) and/or interview(s) that require candidates to appear in person, at the candidate’s own expense.
• Pertinent updates to your application status can be obtained by logging into your candidate account.
• Salary is commensurate with relevant experience and/or education and will be determined in accordance with State Classified compensation policies.
• Current CSU employees should apply through the Jobs Hub in their Workday account.

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 their entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is included in the application so that time-in-series can be accurately calculated.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Employment and Appeal Rights

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.

Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb . A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb . 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 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: [phone]. Phone: [phone]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Inspired by its land-grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.