Landscape Technician (37.5 Hour)

State of Connecticut - Western CT State Univ; Danbury (CT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth opportunities

Healthy work-life balance

State employee benefits overview

Job summary

Western Connecticut State University is seeking a full-time Landscape Technician to maintain campus grounds and athletic fields across Midtown and Westside campuses in Danbury, CT. The role requires working Tuesday through Saturday, 6:00am to 2:00pm, and being prepared for extreme weather conditions.

Applicants must possess a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license, and a medical exam, drug screen, and background check will be required prior to offer.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of landscape maintenance experience.
• Experience with operation, maintenance and repair of landscaping equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform grounds and athletic field maintenance.
• Assist with snow removal operations.
• Involve in plant selection, installation and seeding of turf grasses.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communications

Hand tools operation

Small gas engines

Large power equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Follow instructions

Computer software basics

Tools

Mowers

Leaf blowers

Chainsaws

Tractors

Backhoes

Bulldozers

Job description

Introduction

Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is a constituent unit of the Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR), Connecticut State Colleges and Universities. As one of the State of Connecticut institutions of higher learning, this university offers undergraduate and graduate programs that weave together liberal arts and professional education and instill a desire for life-long learning.

We are recruiting for one (1) full-time Landscape Technician position, located in Danbury, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

POSITIONS REQUIRMENTS:

• Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
• First Shift
• Work Shift: Tuesday - Saturday, 6:00am - 2:00pm
• The individual in this position may be exposed to extreme weather conditions.
• Eligible candidates in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• A medical exam, drug screen, and criminal background check will be required prior to offer of employment.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Grounds team manages all landscaping activities at both Midtown and Westside campuses (inclusive of all athletic fields), and supports all student events and activities. This department participates in snow removal of walkways, roadways and parking garages. The Grounds team also maintains the Ives Concert Park grounds and the Westside Nature Preserve.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The candidate in this role will be responsible for grounds and athletic field maintenance, including snow removal operations on the Midtown and Westside campuses of Western Connecticut State University. Candidates must be prepared to work in various conditions and will be required to work during inclement weather.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

At the University of Connecticut, Western Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University and UConn Health this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of landscaping tasks to beautify and maintain the visual appearance of the campuses and/or regional campuses.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Prepares, installs and maintains decorative landscaping features to include flowers, plants, shrubs, ornamental grasses, trees, waterscapes, lighting and decorative and synthetic or natural materials in formal gardens, plant containers, borders and island beds;
• Hauls materials, fills, grades and slopes work sites;
• Pulls weeds, mulches, repairs drip lines, waters and fertilizes;
• Installs and maintains turf by seeding or siding, repairing, mowing and fertilizing;
• Cleans brush, debris and leaves from lawns and catch basins;
• Installs, maintains and regulates irrigation systems;
• Installs and maintains recreational sports fields;
• Operates and maintains various large and small power and construction equipment including bucket/boom truck, front loader, backhoes, bulldozers, forklifts, tractors, dump trucks of five (5) ton or greater capacity, plow and pickup trucks and trailers, street sweepers, leaf vacuums, wood chippers, mowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers and chain saws;
• Maintains and repairs small gas engine power equipment and large equipment to include, but not limited to, oil and spark plug change, blade sharpening, tire change or repair, fluid change and battery replacement;
• Uses and maintains various hand tools;
• Assists with the set up and dismantling of, but not limited to, plantings, fences, chairs, tents, bleachers and tables for special events;
• Installs and maintains fences, bollards and signage campus wide;
• Installs, maintains and repairs asphalt pavement and other materials on travelled surfaces;
• Performs pre-treatment and snow and ice removal;
• Assists arborists with tree pruning or felling operations;
• Maintains orderliness and efficiency of landscape work sheds and surrounding areas;
• Removes trash and changes bins daily;
• May apply pesticides under direct supervision;
• May paint poles and other structures within the landscape;
• May travel to work at regional campuses;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL and ABILITY

• Knowledge of various plants used in landscape features;
• Knowledge of proper care of plants for sustainment;
• Knowledge of turf grass management practices;
• Knowledge of pesticides and application methods and techniques;
• Skills: interpersonal skills;
• Skills: oral and written communications skills;
• Ability to operate, maintain and repair hand tools;
• Ability to operate, maintain and repair small gas engines;
• Ability to operate, maintain and repair large power equipment;
• Ability to operate, maintain and repair heavy construction and commercial landscaping equipment and vehicles;
• Ability to use personal protective equipment;
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions;
• Ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience in landscape maintenance including the operation, maintenance and repair of small and large power/motor equipment and heavy construction and/or commercial equipment and vehicles used in landscaping.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must include plant selection and installation, pruning, fertilization and seeding of turf grasses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

For state employees two (2) years of landscaping experience at the level of Maintainer may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate in their application: Experience in a large-scale service industry;
• Experience in grounds (including plant selection and installation, pruning, fertilization and seeding of turf grasses), sports fields maintenance, and snow removal;
• Demonstrated use of technical & communicative skills;Professional certifications such as Property Maintenance and Management;
• Previous experience at a college or university-like setting;
• Demonstrated knowledge of horticulture.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Incumbents in this class must be available to work as needed for emergency or snow removal duties.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties of the class.
• A physical examination may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, significant levels of dust and noise and risk of injury from equipment.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to use personal protective equipment.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.