Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3
Washington AG
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Job summary
Washington Military Department seeks a skilled Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist to maintain the Yakima campus. The role focuses on landscape upkeep, safety, and appearance, with duties spanning mowing, trimming, pruning, mulching, and fertilizer application.
The candidate will manage irrigation, pest control records, and equipment maintenance. A Public Operator License from WSDA is required within six months; experience in grounds maintenance is essential, with travel and background
Qualifications
- Two years of experience in grounds maintenance, gardening, plant care, cultivation, and/or landscape installation.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Washington State Pesticide Applicator License within six months of employment.
Responsibilities
- Landscape maintenance and development: mow, trim, rake grounds with power tools.
- Weed and maintain landscaped areas by hand and with tools.
- Prune trees and shrubs; apply mulch and fertilizer.
- Irrigation troubleshooting and repair; calibrate and operate irrigation systems.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Yakima, WA
The Washington Military Department (WMD) is seeking a skilled Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist to join our construction and facilities team, located in Yakima, WA. This position plays a vital role in maintaining the appearance, safety, and overall condition of the Yakima campus. The ideal candidate enjoys working outside, takes pride in quality work, and is committed to maintaining high standards of landscape care and maintenance.
- Mow, trim, and rake grounds using power equipment and hand tools.
- Blow off sidewalks, paths, and curbs using power equipment to remove debris and maintain clean pedestrian walkways.
- Weed and maintain landscaped areas by hand and with tools to ensure plant health and a professional appearance.
- Prune trees and shrubs using shears, saws and arial lift equipment.
- Apply mulch and fertilizer and plant grass and shrubs.
- Trim and remove vegetation from fencelines and around buildings.
- Plant grass, trees, and shrubs.
- Operate and repair a variety of ground mechanical equipment and pesticide application apparatus.
- Ensure all warranted efforts are timely generated, updated, and completed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
- Possess and maintain a Public Operator License from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).
- Generate, maintain, and submit accurate pesticide application records for regulatory agency requirements.
- Diagnose and treat plant diseases and pests.
- Calibrate, operate, maintain, and repair pesticide application equipment.
- Apply pesticide and/or fertilizer to lawns, hardscapes, gravel lots, roadways, and fencelines.
- Service motorized and non-motorized equipment.
- Repair broken or warn equipment components.
- Maintain equipment in a clean, properly functioning, and ready-to-use state through regular cleaning and inspections.
- Winterize and store equipment appropriately using protective coatings and climate-controlled storage.
- Review irrigation systems using visual inspections and pressure testing to ensure operation is optimal and efficient.
- Repair and replace damaged or in-operational controllers, sprinklers, pipes, or valves using plumbing tools and replacement parts to restore system functionality.
- Upgrade, install, or modify irrigation systems using specialized trenching and piping methods to match the needs of developed landscapes.
- Winterize irrigation systems using high-pressure air blow-out methods to prevent freeze damage.
- Perform snow removal and apply ice melt on sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways.
- Pressure wash hard surfaces at ground level and/or building faces, structures, and walkways.
- Remove debris from assigned areas.
- Two years of experience in grounds maintenance, gardening, plant care, cultivation, and/or landscape installation, and
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Washington State Pesticide Applicator License. This license must be obtained within six months of employment.
- High school diploma or GED.
- Landscaping and hardscaping cleaning.
- Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, or similar software) to develop program documents.
- Read plans and blueprints for landscaping related efforts.
- Actively demonstrate a commitment to learning and growth.
- Demonstrate a willingness to understand and meet the needs of others.
Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion.
- Public Operator License - Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) - Must possess or have the ability to obtain within six months of hire, a valid Public Operators License.
- Requirement includes passing the Washington Laws and Safety exam and obtaining category-specific endorsements for Agricultural Weed Control and Right-of-Way Weed Control.
- Must comply with the 2026 Certification and Training (C&T) standards, including completion of the required course and/or quiz to maintain legal status for pesticide application on state-owned land.
Must successfully complete the appropriate background checks required for employment and to obtain/maintain a DoD Common Access Card (CAC) in order to obtain/maintain a DoD Secret-level security clearance. Must be willing to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files. The processing of background checks can take up to six months post-employment. Failure to successfully pass a background check may be cause for termination.
This position is represented by Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA).
- Valid to drive in the State of Washington.
- Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act. This is required for base access and will be required upon hire.
Willingness to work on a Military Controlled Access Installation. Camp Murray and Yakima work location utilizes the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) for entry to the installation. Must meet access requirements / background check which can be found in the Camp Murray Access Requirements Policy (Unified Policy No. 18-01). This includes possession of an Enhanced Driver’s License, or other REAL ID Compliant Identification.
The standard schedule is Tuesday - Friday with Monday off for a 4/10 schedule.
This position is not eligible for telework.
Upon activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) or Joint Field Office (JFO), incumbent may be required to work in an alternate location with rotating shifts, including weekends and evenings, in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment.
Occasional statewide travel may be required up to 5% to include overnight stays.
Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruitment Section of State Human Resources at: Email: mistina.venesky@mil.wa.gov, Call: (253) 512‑7389, or 711
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Full‑time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Parental Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
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