Native Plant Management Specialist - Outdoor Services

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder’s Outdoor Services seeks a Native Plant Management Specialist to support native area management, weed and pest control, and related grounds maintenance on campus. The role involves chemical, mechanical, and natural methods, record-keeping, and coordination with the East & South Campus Maintenance Manager.

This in-person, five-day-per-week position emphasizes safety and adherence to state and university guidelines, with duties including signage, reporting, and

Qualifications

• 2 years of increasingly responsible grounds care and maintenance experience.
• Must possess a valid Colorado driver’s license.
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Certified Operators License or higher within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Conduct chemical applications for weeds/pests.
• Assist with native area management including noxious weed control.
• Perform snow removal and general landscape maintenance activities.
• Maintain records, schedules, and safety compliance.

Skills

Chemical applications

Weed management

Safety compliance

Job description

Job Summary

Outdoor Services at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Native Plant Management Specialist! Outdoor Servicesprovides high quality, professional grounds and landscape services to enhance a safe, aesthetically pleasing and environmentallyconscious campus. Facilities Operations provides a physicalenvironment promoting the advancement and transfer of knowledge. This work unit provides native area management and groundsmaintenance support, and is also responsible for snow removaloperations during the winter via manual or mechanicalmethods.

This role assists the East & South Campus Maintenance Manager with implementing practices for native area management includingchemical, mechanical, and/or natural methods to control weeds andpests. This role also assists with record keeping of native area management practices and weed/pest mitigation, including chemical,biological, and manual controls.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

Facilities Management provides outdoor services to general fundareas and to several auxiliary funded facilities. FacilitiesManagement Outdoor Services is responsible for grounds maintenanceand irrigation system operation and maintenance for the generalfund areas on campus.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Conduct Chemical Applications for Weeds/Pests

• Conduct pre and post-emergent chemical applications using synthetic and organic/natural liquid or granular products. Assist the Manager in researching new synthetic and natural products during the offseason. Safely mix chemical concentrates in the chemical storage area per label. Conduct chemical applications in general fund and recharge areas (under maintenance agreements) of campus for pests/weeds. This duty may require weekend work schedules 1-2 weekends a month throughout the growing season. Maintain records of chemical applications and assist with timely reports to the Manager. Conduct appropriate timely notification prior to all applications. Ensure appropriate pre and postapplication signage is placed in areas visible to the public and that signs are picked up when re-entry is acceptable. Accuratelycharge appropriate work orders, maintenance agreements andmaintenance projects on a timely basis.

Native Area Management

• Assist with implementation of the noxious weed management program. These areas include native, riparian, aquatic and wetlands by monitoring, mapping, researching, performing cultural treatments and removing invasive weeds by grazing, chemical, biological, mechanical or manual methods. Assist with wildlife management in wetlands area to include physical removal of beaver dams, installation and maintenance of deterrence devices, installing and maintaining preventative tree wrapping materials and monitoring for beaver activity.
• Perform aquatic weed management for ponds and waterways by hand removal, cleaning screens and placing benthic matting materials. Work with the Manager for scheduling types of methods and/or applications for control. Tools used for this work include chemicalapplications, biological control methods, hand tools, stringtrimmers, blade cutters, or brush mowers. Ensure adequate signage is posted regarding current mitigation activities. This position may train, instruct and lead other employees, including students, conducting these activities. Assist with scheduling and overseeing native area maintenance activities. Coordinate with supervisoryteam to allocate labor resources. Maintain assigned tools andequipment and communicate and accurately describe issues/problems.

Safety

• Work towards a safe working environment for self, team, co-workers and the public. Adhere to all Federal, State, Local, and Department safety guidelines, including any concerning chemical applications or release of bio-controls. Report unsafe conditions or accidents to supervisors or Operations Control Center. Attend and participate in safety trainings. Review and be familiar with the Outdoor Services safety manual and ensure staff comply in the same manner. Follow Colorado Department of Agriculture guidelines and University of Colorado - Boulder policies. Follow pesticide storage guidelines. Advise applicators assisting with chemical applications on appropriate safety measures.

Conduct Snow Removal

• Perform mechanical, hand shoveling and ice abatement operations. Remove snow and conduct ice abatement for sidewalks, stairs, bus stops, curb cuts, paved trails, parking lots and ADAramps using powered equipment or manual methods. This position is designated Essential Services and is expected to respond to perform snow removal as required.

Perform General Landscape Maintenance Activities.

• Assist with projects such as manual weeding of rock beds, mulchbeds, annual/perennial beds, pruning, mowing, string trimming, sidewalk edging, rough mowing, trash removal, drainage corrections, irrigation, tree care, turf management, building entry/loading dockmaintenance, hardscape and outdoor furniture assets maintenance and installations, and support other grounds maintenance activities/assignments. May be a work leader for temporary and/or student employees. May assist Campus Arborist work activities. Some duties may require adjusted work schedules including off-set workhours and weekends.

What You Should Know

This position is eligible for our Facilities ManagementEmployee Referral Program.

This in-person role will work 5 eight-hour workdays per week, Monday-Friday between the hours of 6:00am and 5:00pm, based on staffing requirements of the department.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary for this position is $46,584.

If you have prior state-classified experience in the same classseries as this position, your pay may be set at a higher amount per the state Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes\' America\'s Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be driven. Be informed. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• 2 years of increasingly responsible grounds care and maintenance, greenhouse, or plant nursery general labor work experience appropriate to the job assignment.
• Must possess a valid Colorado driver’s license.
• Must be a Colorado resident to apply.
• This role is required to acquire and maintain a ColoradoDepartment of Agriculture Certified Operators License or higherwith categories 107 (Rangeland Pest Control) within 12 months of hire or possess one currently.

What You Will Need

• The ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• An ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Knowledge of native area and landscape management experience.
• Crew/Lead Worker experience also highly desirable.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume that includes date ranges for each position held and whether the position was full-time or part-time.
2. Optional: A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
3. DD-214 for veteran applicants.

• Qualified veterans and surviving spouses are eligible for veteran’s preference points within the State classified system. If you are an honorably discharged veteran, the spouse of a veteran unable to work due to a service-connected disability, or the surviving spouse of a veteran, you may claim preference during the election process for a position within the state personnel system.In order for us to determine your eligibility for veterans preference, you must attach a copy of a DD-214 form along with your application. If you have additional supporting documentation to provide, or do not wish to upload a DD214, please email a copy to [e-mail] and reference the job to which you are applying.

If using the educational substitution for experience: proof ofdegree or transcripts.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by October 11, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

Select here for additional information regarding Classified Staffpositions: https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/special-instructions-classified-staff-applicants

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Essential Services

This position is designated essential/critical services. The incumbent is required to respond to requests for work during campus emergencies (snow, wind, rain, flood and any other natural or man-made event) and report to work for regularly assigned shifts during emergency campus closures.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: [e-mail]