Senior Grounds & Nursery Specialist

State of Washington; Orting (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist 4 to support the upkeep of the grounds at the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting. You will perform experienced gardening, landscape construction, and grounds maintenance across the campus, including nurseries and greenhouse areas.

The role requires strong plant care skills, ability to operate equipment, and a commitment to a safe, welcoming outdoor environment.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years' experience in gardening, plant care, landscape construction and grounds maintenance.
• A degree in agronomy, botany, horticulture, soils or closely allied field may substitute for gardening experience.
• Combination of education and experience may be considered on a year-for-year basis; experience must be relevant.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English fluently to perform duties.
• Agency competencies include taking action to learn and grow, and to meet the needs of others.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain outdoor beds, plantings, soil improvements, and floral displays.
• Cultivate, water, fertilize, prune, and mulch; manage plant health.
• Maintain turf, hedges, and landscaping; mow, irrigate, and manage pests as needed.
• Operate lawn equipment and power tools; manage irrigation and soil amendments.
• Restore bare spots, reseed, resod, and maintain grounds across the facilities.

Skills

Gardening

Plant care

Landscape maintenance

Education

Agronomy/Botany/Horticulture degree

Job description

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist 4 to support the upkeep of the grounds at the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting. You will perform experienced gardening, landscape construction, and grounds maintenance across the campus, including nurseries and greenhouse areas.

The role requires strong plant care skills, ability to operate equipment, and a commitment to a safe, welcoming outdoor environment.