Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3

WWU College of Business & Economics; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, is seeking a Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3 to maintain and install campus irrigation systems as part of a comprehensive grounds program. The role includes coordinating tasks, repairing systems, and ensuring efficient water management on campus.

The position requires two years of irrigation maintenance experience, the ability to operate gas-powered machinery, read blueprints, and work with tools.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Two years minimum irrigation maintenance/construction experience in a commercial or institutional setting.
• Ability to operate gas-powered machinery and small tractors.
• Ability to read and understand written information and instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly.
• Ability to safely use hand and power tools.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one for state-owned vehicle travel.
• Ability to perform essential job functions physically.
• Ability to work with computer hardware/software to track work orders and time.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with students, staff, and faculty at all levels.
• Ability to manage time under tight schedules and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Perform irrigation system maintenance and repair.
• Operate power tools and equipment as required (drills, saws, trenchers, etc.).
• Snow/ice removal and related duties as needed.
• Respond to after-hours emergencies related to the position.
• Coordinate with supervisor and manage in-house/outside contractor projects.
• Read blueprints and locate irrigation systems on campus.
• Work independently on most projects.
• Off-season Utility Worker duties as assigned.

Skills

Irrigation maintenance

Gas machinery operation

Blueprint reading

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Driver's license

Computer time tracking

Tool safety

Physical endurance

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor of Science in Horticulture or equivalent

Job description

Position Title

Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3

About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department Facilities Development & Operations supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

About the Position

Performs Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3 duties involving the maintenance and installation of the campus irrigation systems in a comprehensive grounds maintenance program. This includes but not limited to maintaining, modifying, repairing, installing or adjusting campus irrigation systems as needed. Inspect and troubleshoot systems for leaks and proper operations. Monitor and program controllers as necessary to maintain optimal watering. Perform duties of Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 2 and/or Utility Worker 2 as directed by supervisor.

Duty: Irrigation System Maintenance and Repair

Tasks Include:

• Ascertain material needs and communicate to supervisor for necessary requisition.
• Repair and maintain irrigation systems to keep them functioning properly. Deactivate and active irrigation systems as required for freeze protection.
• Manage in-house crew and outside contractor projects that impact the campus irrigation systems.
• Coordinate daily tasks with supervisor.
• Update all zone maps for each system on campus that can be obtained in their respective controller.
• Work with electrical low voltage circuits and irrigation components including but not limited to controllers, electric valves, rotor heads, spray heads etc.
• Perform job layout and planning.
• Read and interpret blueprints.
• Locate irrigation systems using locating equipment, as-built drawings and experience of building systems.
• Work independently on most projects.
• Respond to after-hours emergencies related to position.
• Performs Utility Worker duties during off season months.

Duty: Equipment Operation

Tasks Include:

• Operate power tools and equipment needed to perform duties such as drills, saws, trenchers, blowers, power trimmers, small tractors according to job specifications.
• Operate trucks and small tractor as needed.

Duty: Ice/Snow Removal

Tasks Include:

• Utilize snow removal equipment and tools.
• Remove snow from walkways.
• Apply de-ice as needed to appropriate areas.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years work experience involving irrigation maintenance and construction in a commercial and/or institutional setting.
• Ability to operate gas powered machinery and small tractors
• Ability to read and understand written information and instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly.
• Ability to maintain and use hand and power tools safely as required for the trade.
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work in order to drive a state-owned vehicle for travel to work locations.
• Ability to physically perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work with computer hardware and software required to track work orders and record time worked.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a friendly and cooperative manner with students, staff, and faculty at all levels of the organization and in contacts with the public.
• Ability to manage time well and work under pressure situations with tight schedules and deadlines to complete projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience involving landscape maintenance and construction in a commercial and/or institutional setting.
• Knowledge of plant identification and their characteristics.
• Applicable experience working at Western Washington University and knowledge of the campus irrigation systems.
• Knowledge of WISHA/OSHA rules and regulations.
• Strong knowledge of applicable Washington Administrative Code (WAC) regulations and local building and plumbing codes.
• Strong knowledge of Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) rules and regulations, standard job safety rules, proper use of a face respirator.

Conditions of Employment

All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to [e-mail] if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Salary

$3,864 - $4,678/month depending on qualifications and experience

Benefits

Information Benefits Overview for Classified Positions Bargaining Unit This position is part of bargaining unit B and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Washington Federation of State Employees.

Closing Date

Position is open until filled

EEO Statement

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); [e-mail]

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at [e-mail]. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.