Grounds Operations Specialist 3 (Grounds & Nursery Specialist 3)

Grounds Operations Specialist 3

(Grounds & Nursery Specialist 3)

Full-Time | Non-Permanent

Monday

• Friday | Flexible Schedule

Union Represented | WFSE

About this Position

The duration of this job is expected to last for 6 months.

The Grounds Operations Specialist 3 is responsible for performing multiple duties related to the care and maintenance of an assigned area of the Capitol Campus grounds, or other locations in Thurston County. This position includes operating various hand and power equipment, hand tools, large-scale trucks, mowers, and other grounds related equipment. When necessary, you may be asked to support any emergency situations that affect DES owned properties, both on and off the Capitol Campus.

This position reports directly to the assigned supervisor who schedules work and plans projects. The incumbent will interact with the Building and Asset Managers, tenants, vendors, contractors, and visitors. This position works independently and will plan their own work methods to accomplish work assignments in a timely manner.

About the Division

The Buildings & Grounds Division (B&G) is responsible for the Capitol Campus and Department of Enterprise Services (DES) managed building operations, stewardship, and historic preservation. B&G provides service to over 42 agencies, maintains, operates and preserves the 486-acre state Capitol Campus in Olympia, including more than 28 buildings, 18 public monuments, over 6,000 parking stalls, four state parks and a 260-acre lake. B&G executes these responsibilities through the following service programs: Facilities Operations, Grounds Operations, Leadership and Admin, Maintenance & Repairs, Support Services (Custodial).

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES' mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn about our agency and the key services we provide and the benefits of working for DES!

Some of what you will enjoy doing:

• Seed, mow, irrigate, fertilize and maintain lawns

• Diagnose and treat plant diseases and pests

• Plan, prepare, plant and fertilize shrub beds, annual beds and lawn areas

• Perform hardscape and landscape installations

• Operate hand and power equipment such as weed eaters, chain saws, back-pack blowers, rototillers, power washers, light tractors, front end loaders, small trucks, riding and hand-operated mowers, street sweepers, snow plows and medium trucks

• Clean, service, and make repairs to tools and equipment

• Perform parking lot maintenance, cleaning and road repairs

• Accomplish snow/ice treatment or removal

• Participate in staff and agency meetings; complete timecards; perform all other activities as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED

AND

• Ability to move and transport 50lbs

• Willing and able to stand for four or more hours

• Possess a valid driver's license free of serious traffic violations

• Two years of paid experience as a gardener, landscaper or grounds keeper; or completion of a two-year vocational training course in Landscape Horticulture

Special Requirements

• As listed above you must possess a valid driver's license free of serious traffic violations

• Must-obtain and maintain a Flagger certification within 1 year of employment.

• This position must participate in the DES Respiratory Protection Program

• Able to move and transport 50 lbs. will be required

• Must obtain and maintain from the Department of Agriculture, a Pesticide Operators License within one (1) year of employment

AND

Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following DEI competencies:

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace

• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment

• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment

• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization or community

• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to read, interpret, and retain information from plans, specifications and written materials

• Understand and follow applicable laws, regulations, and other standards to establish and/or maintain a safe workplace

• Able to organize multiple assignments to produce work products that are accurate, complete, and on time

• Willing and able to work independently with little or no on-site supervisory direction

Required Application Documents

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and 
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Working Conditions

Work Environment | This position works outdoors, often under adverse and extreme weather conditions.

Schedule | Monday

• Friday | 40 HR/week | Compressed work schedules are available upon request and approval by management.

Customer Interactions | Provide professional services to a diverse group of customers and tenants to include public, other supervisors /managers, tenants, visitors, officials and other grounds staff.

Travel Requirements | Position requires infrequent (10% or less) travel to meet with managers or employees, attend or provide training. Travel required visiting various worksites, meet with clients and occasional overnight travel may be necessary to attend or present at conferences in state and out of state, attend seminars, conferences or training.

This position is recognized as Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) Designation - for Disaster or Emergency Recovery. The Grounds Operation Specialist 3 is required to support any emergency situations that affect the DES owned properties, both on and off of the Capital Campus.  You will be required to support any emergencies that affect DES owned properties, both on and off the Capital Campus. 

Conditions of Employment

• Union Inclusion: This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

• Background Check Notice:  Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Opportunity for All:

The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan rachel.vaughan@des.wa.gov by email or jobs@des.wa.gov.  Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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