Senior Landscape Tech - Plant Health Care

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition assistance

Shuttle/CapMetro access

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Senior Landscape Tech - Plant Health Care to maintain campus landscapes and apply plant health care products. This role requires knowledge of integrated pest management and pesticide applications, plus a valid Texas driver license and the drive to lead field crews.

Responsibilities include performing plant health care activities, operating landscape equipment, and ensuring safety standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and 3 years landscape maintenance experience.
• Understanding of horticulture principles and plant health care activities.
• TDA pesticide applicator license to be obtained within 12 months of hire.
• Effective communication and ability to work in a team environment.
• Class C Driver's License; driving record required; Texas license within 30 days if new resident.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality customer service while performing general landscape duties and small scale landscaping operations.
• Perform plant health care activities using equipment to apply fertilizers, herbicides, and amendments.
• Operate landscape equipment safely and perform routine maintenance.
• Drive university trucks to transport crew, equipment, and materials to work sites.
• Assist supervisor with directing crew and lead in supervisor's absence.
• Follow safety procedures; maintain work areas and tools.
• Attend meetings and safety training; submit daily labor and weekly time reports.
• Purchase supplies per university procedures; support other departments as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Experience in landscape maintenance

Effective communication

Teamwork

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

TDA pesticide applicator license within 12 months

Class C Driver's License

Tools

Back Pack sprayer

Landscape equipment operation

Job description

Senior Landscape Tech - Plant Health Care

This is a tech position that requires knowledge of plant health care practices and the use of pesticides to maintain campus landscapes.

Responsibilities

• Provides quality customer service while performing general landscape grounds duties and work associated with the care and maintenance of University grounds and landscaped areas. Plans and executes small scale landscaping operations.
• Perform plant health care activities such as using a Back Pack, larger sprayers, and other equipment to apply fertilizers, herbicides, and other products and amendments to the landscape; serve as the primary Spray Tech for East Campus; supply and implement integrated pest management techniques to benefit the grounds and landscape on campus.
• Safely and proficiently operates all landscape equipment/machinery and tools assigned or used by the hiring department. Makes minor repairs and performs routine service and preventative maintenance to landscape equipment and tools.
• Drives University owned light and/or medium-duty trucks and trailers in the transport and delivery of crew members, equipment, tools, materials, and supplies to or from work sites.
• Assists landscape supervisor with directing and checking the work of crew personnel, and in the safe use and proper care of equipment and tools. Leads crew in the absence of landscape supervisor.
• Follows established safety procedures. Maintains the shop areas, work sites, equipment and tools in a safe and orderly fashion.
• Attends shop and departmental meetings. Attends required safety training sessions or classes. Completes and submits accurate daily labor and weekly time reports.
• Purchase supplies and materials in accordance with the University procedures and policies. Performs other related functions, marginal or incidental, to support organizational goals and objectives.
• Other related duties will be assigned, including working with other departments within University Operations and throughout The University of Texas System.
• Ability to pull, push, and lift up to 50 lbs. including shoveling gravel and aggregates. Adheres to and performs related functions as assigned, and works overtime in support of special events, emergencies, and planned after hours work.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED. 3 years of experience in landscape maintenance and repair or operation of commercial-sized landscape equipment, including riding mowers.
• Have a good understanding of the principals and practices of horticulture with experience performing plant health care activities.
• Obtain TDA pesticide applicator license within 12 months of hire.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and ability to effectively work in a team environment.
• Class "C" Operator's Driver's License. Applicant selected must provide a current three year Driving Record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, must obtain a Texas Driver's License within 30 days after entering Texas as a new resident.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than High School or GED. More than 3 years of landscape maintenance experience.
• Currently holds a TDA applicators license.
• Supervisory experience in landscape maintenance; experience with landscape construction including plant installation, hardscape, and irrigation.
• Completion of coursework, certifications, or training in equipment operations, maintenance, and plant health care.
• Technical training in landscaping or horticulture.
• Working knowledge of Texas native plant material, turf grass care, and organic landscape practices and materials.
• Prior work on a higher education campus.

Working Conditions

• Uniform or PPE
• All weather conditions
• Extreme temperatures
• Chemical fumes
• Standard office
• Biohazards/chemicals
• Electrical/mechanical
• Keyboard
• Manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs and ladders
• Lifting and moving

Salary

$43,680 + depending on qualifications

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.