Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Tuition waiver

Paid time off

Job summary

Washington State University seeks a Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3 for the Facilities Services Grounds Department on the Pullman campus. You will manage 51 acres of campus landscapes, performing planting, pruning, weeding, and bed maintenance with limited supervision.

You will operate a range of grounds equipment, support irrigation and snow removal, and adapt to a flexible schedule for events. A driver’s license and pesticide license within six months are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; experience in grounds/yard work preferred.
• Two+ years in grounds maintenance, horticulture, or related fields.
• Valid driver's license or ability to obtain by hire date per standards.
• Pesticide applicator license must be obtained within six months of hire.
• Experience operating grounds maintenance equipment and hand tools.
• Physical ability for repetitive movement, lifting, and outdoor work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain assigned 51 acres of landscape and hardscape with minimal supervision.
• Plan and perform landscape installations, planting, pruning, and weeding.
• Operate motorized equipment for turf, irrigation, and snow removal.
• Work flexible hours including weekends or evenings for campus events.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Plant identification

Equipment operation

Driving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Public Pesticide Applicators license

Job description

Application deadline: September 20, 2026

Available Title(s)

591K-YN_CS_NPS - Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3

Business Title

Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3

Employee Type

Classified

Position Details – The Opportunity

As the Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3 for the Facilities Services Grounds Department, you will be responsible for an assigned area of 51 acres of landscape and hardscape in the East Campus area. With little supervision, you will perform skilled landscape maintenance applications to maintain safe, clean, and well-manacured grounds in the core of campus which includes high pedestrian/high visibility traffic areas on and surrounding the research facilities complex and the WSU Alumni Center on the WSU Pullman campus. Your duties will include but are not limited to; planning landscape installations, planting, pruning and weeding manicured beds and landscape areas. Additionally, you'll operate motorized equipment for turf maintenance and snow removal, landscape installation and renovations, irrigation and equipment maintenance. This position calls for a flexible schedule and availability to work on an occasional weekend or evening when events are scheduled.

Required Qualifications

• High school or equivalent and at least two (2) years' experience working with youth, gardening, or in grounds maintenance; OR equivalent education/experience.
• Two (2) or more years' experience and knowledge in grounds maintenance procedures and techniques, plant material identification and cultural needs, and current horticultural practices.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
• Possession of a Public Pesticide Applicators license within six (6) months of hire.
• Two (2) years' experience operating grounds maintenance equipment or equivalent and using a variety of hand and motorized tools such as; pruners, loppers, shovels, rakes, hoes, mowers, blowers, edgers, litter picker, chain saw, trimmers, string trimmers and sprayers.
• Ability to perform daily work that requires walking, grasping, lifting, pushing, pulling, shoveling and repetitive hand motion for extended periods.
• Physical ability to perform the duties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Commercial driver's license endorsement (Class B).

Additional Information

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary

$3,485 to $4,633 | Range 38 (Steps A-M) | Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Area/College

Facilities Services

Department Name

Facilities Services, Operations

Location

Pullman, WA

About Facilities Services (WSU Pullman)

Facilities Services' primary mission is the stewardship, maintenance, and operations of the campus buildings, grounds, and utilities on the Pullman campus. We aspire to be the service provider of choice and the employer of choice. We believe in developing solutions of lasting value through robust dialogue and collaboration with our campus partners and industry. Our staff of skilled trades-people, custodians, architects, engineers, interior designers, and support staff strive to demonstrate our commitment to integrity and professionalism.

Working at WSU

As one of the nation's top public research institutions, Washington State University (WSU) conducts research that improves the lives of people in Washington, the United States, and across the globe. When you make the choice to join WSU, you are joining a community committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others. You will join a team of faculty and staff dedicated to bringing the world the next generation of innovators, leaders, health care providers, and citizens.

The university offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to meet the diverse needs of its employees including health care and dental care options, retirement plans, long-term disability insurance, paid time off, professional development and a host of work/life quality programs. In addition, eligible employees may apply for a tuition waiver for many academic classes offered on campus. For more information about the benefits and programs available to WSU employees, follow Employee Types and Benefits.

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract. Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU's Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/