Specialist - Grounds

Utah Valley University is seeking a Specialist - Grounds. Under the direction of the Director of Grounds; plants, transplants, and prunes trees, shrubs, and other plants. Performs grounds keeping work maintaining and caring for assigned landscaped areas.  Cultivates and fertilizes lawns. Prepares soil for sowing seeds, waters turf and ornamental ground covers, and sprays and reseeds turf.  Operates grounds keeping equipment such as riding lawn mowers, power edgers, power mowers and other related equipment.

• Performs planting, transplanting, and pruning of trees, shrubs and other plants.

• Prepares greenhouse beds for bedding plants, performs garbage pick-up, performs mowing and trimming of campus lawns, including monitoring of height of cut, frequency of cut, safety hazards, and turf condition.

• Responsible for snow removal.

• Supervises and trains part-time employees.

• Assists in repairing mechanical equipment and making emergency repairs to utility systems, lawn mowers and facilities.

• Sharpens and repairs reels for proper cut and angle.

• Operates light and heavy tractors, trucks and stationary equipment in performing assigned tasks.

• Assists Water Master in sprinkler and secondary water system operation.

• Assists in the operation of fountains and pump stations.

• Repair valves, sprinkler heads and other components of a sprinkling system.

• Maintains accurate and accessible records as assigned.

• Inspects licenses and supplies.

• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Graduation from an accredited institution with an associate's degree and one year related experience or any combination of job related experience and education totaling three years. May require special certifications if necessary.

Preferred Qualifications  

One and one-half years of experience related to the summary of duties.

Licenses or Certifications  

Must possess a valid Utah driver's license at the time of employment. Knowledge

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of landscape gardening including planting, transplanting and pruning.

• Knowledge of grade fertilizers and their application.

• Knowledge of the mechanical operations and methods of repairing equipment.

Skills

• Skills in gardening, planting, transplanting and pruning of all types of plant species.

Abilities

• Ability to expend arduous physical effort and to work in conditions that may involve some hazards and considerable discomforts.

• Ability to operate light trucks, tractors and stationary equipment.

• Ability to supervise part-time employees.

• Ability to maintain accurate and accessible records.

• Ability to maintain buildings and grounds with a minimum of supervision.