Gardening Specialist

Position Summary

~Revised to extend application deadline~
Full-time position available on or after September 3, 2024 for Landscape and Laborer Services.

Under the general direction of the Grounds & Events Supervisor, the Gardening Specialist performs a combination of specialized work which encompasses sprinkler repair, horticultural spraying and possible plant propagation, gardening or nursery work, and tree trimming in the maintenance of the University landscaping, grounds, and parking lots.The hours of this position are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Job Duties
Duties include but are not limited to:
Maintain campus hedges, shrubs and ornamental flowers by planting, cultivating, fertilizing, pruning, watering, spraying, and weeding. Make recommendations for the planning and developing of special planting areas, select plants and flowers for ornamental gardens; and provide service and assistance to others regarding proper care of flowers and ornamental plants, pruning, and other technical skills. Prepare and treat soil for planting, maintain sprinklers, tools and equipment in proper condition and repair; operate and perform maintenance on small power-operated mowers, small riding mowers, and other gardening power equipment. Will provide lead work direction to students, Groundsworkers or individuals in other grounds classifications and may drive automotive equipment. Maintain campus athletic fields by irrigating, mowing, edging, hand and power trimming, fertilizing, and performing annual scheduled maintenance to fields, that includes power raking, core aerating, over seeding, and top dressing with appropriate soils and using weed control methods when necessary, to provide a safe and aesthetically pleasant environment for students and authorized visitors. Prepare and line sport fields for academic games and special events.
Apply herbicides, insecticides and fungicides to control weeds, insects and disease attacking campus plant life including plants, trees, shrubs and lawns, for eradication of fungi and pests; to embankments, roads, parking lots and unimproved acreage for the control of insects, pests and weeds; and to buildings for the control and eradication of insects and pests Select and mix sprays and/or granular applications according to specific formulae to accomplish desired results; select appropriate times to apply chemicals taking into consideration weather conditions and frequency of usage. Determine where to store poisons and traps and responsible for the safe storage of chemicals and supplies used in spraying programs. Use hydraulic and back pack sprayers as needed.
Install, maintain and repair irrigation systems. Repair lines, heads, valves and related equipment. Clear blockages from valves and pipes; maintain, set and repair automatic sprinkler controls; perform minor repairs on all sprinkler control devices; establish and maintain sprinkler system preventive maintenance programs; review landscaped areas and coordinate the installation of new sprinkler systems and modification of existing sprinkler systems taking into consideration the vegetation, soil conditions, and evaporation and water retention factors; and work closely with contractors installing sprinkler systems around new structures to assure proper irrigating capabilities of the system.
Apply treatment to trees having diseases or unhealthy conditions, plan, cultivate and irrigate trees. Utilize proper procedures and industry standards to prune and reshape trees, trim or remove dead and diseased, or unsightly growth, fell and remove trees when work can be done from the ground or with the assistance of aerial equipment, prune and trim trees to maintain sufficient clearance to walk safely under canopies. Remove dead and disease shrubs, trees and broken branches/limbs, or unsightly growth.
Maintain campus lawns by irrigating, mowing, edging, hand trimming, fertilizing, and using weed control methods. Prepare areas for seed or sod, lay sod and sow seed. Operate riding mowers with single or multiple decks including both, rotary blades and reels, roto-tillers, lawn vacuums, hydraulic sprayers, backpack blowers, weed eaters, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, aerators and other grounds related equipment.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Two years of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or general grounds, one year of which shall have been in either the maintenance, repair or modification of irrigation systems, specialized pest and/or spray control work, or cultivation and care of nursery plants.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of a Qualified Applicator Certificate or Qualified Applicator License issued by the Department of Pesticide Regulation, category A (residential, industrial, institutional), (category B (Landscape Maintenance) category C (Right of Way) and category F (Aquatic).
Ability to recognize and identify the most common species of shrubs and trees, grasses, and groundcovers grown in California.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Five years of experience working in commercial landscape maintenance, large turf areas such as golf courses, parks or school grounds.
Knowledge of proper pruning and trimming techniques of shrubs and trees.
Ability to work effectively in a service oriented environment subject to changing priorities.
Ability to work from aerial lifts, and ladders at considerable heights above ground.
Knowledge of and ability to operate mowers, tractors, bobcats, Cushman vehicles, brush chippers, roto-tillers, water tanker with pumps, hydraulic sprayers, aerators, lawn vacuums and small powered equipment.
Ability to perform horticultural spray and pest eradication work; maintenance, repair and modification of irrigation systems; planning, development and maintenance of special planting areas or ornamental gardens; on a regularly scheduled basis.
Knowledge and ability to apply chemicals for the eradication of fungi, pests, insects and weeds to plants, trees, shrubs, lawns, embankments, roads, parking lots, unimproved acreage and buildings.
Knowledge and ability to select appropriate times to apply the chemicals, taking into
consideration weather conditions and frequency of usage; determine where to place
poisons and traps; safely store chemicals and supplies used in spraying programs
Ability to repair broken sprinkler lines, sprinkler heads, valves and related equipment; clear blockages from valves and pipes; inspect, service, and maintain automatic sprinkler control devices; perform repairs on all sprinkler control devices.
Ability to establish and maintain sprinkler system preventive maintenance programs;
perform installation and modification of sprinkler systems; review landscaped areas and coordinate the installation of new sprinkler systems and modification of existing sprinkler systems taking into consideration the vegetation, soil conditions, and evaporation and water retention factors.
Knowledge and ability to work closely with contractors installing sprinkler systems around new structures to assure proper irrigating capabilities of the system; make
recommendations for the planning and development of special planting areas within their assigned area; select plants and flowers for ornamental gardens; and provide advice and assistance to others regarding proper care of flowers and ornamental plants, pruning, and other technical skills.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the methods, plants, tools and equipment used in planting,
cultivating and caring for flowers, shrubs, lawns and trees.
General knowledge of the composition and structure of soil, Ph factors of soils,
compatibility and incompatibility factors between soil and plants, difference between plant mixes, and erosion control.
Ability to identify, diagnose and treat plant disease, and correct plant nutrient deficiencies.
Ability to prepare freehand sketches and make recommendations for possible
improvements in landscaping within the assigned areas.
Ability to read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position and to follow oral and written instructions.

License or Certifications

Possession of a Qualified Applicator Certificate or Qualified Applicator License issued by the Department of Pesticide Regulation in landscape maintenance (category B) is required.
Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to bend, lift, stand, walk, stoop, squat, kneel.
Ability to drive motorized equipment outdoors

Salary Range
Anticipated salary will be $3,907 - $4,298 per month plus excellent paid benefits.Salary will depend on the qualifications of the successful finalist. (Full range: $3,907 - $6,375 per month)

Compensation & Benefits
Commensurate with qualifications and experience. As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, outstanding vacation, health, dental, and vision plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.Link to (Bargaining Unit: 5) Benefits Summary:CSU Employee Benefit Summary

How to Apply
To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a completed Stanislaus State online employment application, cover letter, and resumé. Applications are accepted electronically only. Please note that failure to completely fill out each section of the online application may result in your application not receiving consideration. To apply online, please click the "Apply Now" button on this page.

Applications will be processed in accordance with Article 9.3 of the CSU/CSUEU Memorandum of Understanding. Preference will be given to qualified individuals currently employed at CSU Stanislaus in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9 except when it is determined that it is necessary to appoint outside applicants to meet the best interest of the campus by obtaining specialized skills and abilities not available from current employees.

Application Deadline
OPEN UNTIL FILLED(Application screening began August 23, 2024.)

Criminal Background Clearance Notice
Satisfactory completion of a background check (which includes checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records; and may include motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Additional Information
Campus & AreaCalifornia State University, Stanislaus serves the San Joaquin Valley and is a critical educational resource for a six-county region of approximately 1.5 million people. The University is fully committed to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion – one in which every person in the University community feels safe to express their views without fear of reprisal. Widely recognized for its quality academic programs, the University has 10 nationally accredited programs and 662 faculty members. 94 percent of full-time faculty holds doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. The University offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, 7 post-graduate credentials, a doctorate in education and serves more than 10,000 students. New instructional facilities have been built for the unique pedagogy of professional programs, laboratory sciences and performing arts.
Stanislaus State continues to receive national recognition with its ranking as one of the best 384 colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review. The University was one of 12 public universities in the nation to be recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for demonstrating exceptional performance in retention and graduation rates. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranks Stanislaus State in its top 10 among public universities in the West, while Washington Monthly honored Stanislaus State as the West's No. 1 university for the money. Stanislaus State also is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.

Clery Act Disclosure
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the annual security report (ASR), is now available for viewing at https://www.csustan.edu/annual-campus-security-report . The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Stanislaus State for the previous three years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the office of the Clery Director located at One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised 7/21/17, as a condition of employment.
Applicants requiring necessary accommodations to the application process may contact the Human Resources Department at (209) 667-3351. California Relay Service is available at (800) 735-2922 voice and (800) 735-2929 TDD. As a federal contractor, we are committed to attracting a diverse applicant pool. Please consider completing the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form (your response will not be shared with the search committee) at: Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability PDF Form .
CSU Stanislaus hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
The CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. The CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.

The individuals who appear to be the best qualified for this position will be contacted by telephone or email for an interview.
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE