First review of applications: August 7, 2009. Open until filled. Please refer to #3142 in all correspondence regarding this position.
Gardening Specialist
Gardening Specialist
Landscaping
Position
Under the supervision of the Director of Landscaping, the Gardening Specialist will maintain an assigned area such as mowing, pruning, construction of flower beds, maintenance of drainage systems, resurfacing of athletic fields and facilities, removal of brush and trees, and collection of trash and asphalt repairs. The incumbent will operate equipment and manual tools used in maintenance, utility construction, installation and repairs; work in irrigation and turf installation as well as maintain an assigned landscape maintenance area, which could include athletic fields, parking lots, turf, and ornamentals and involving manual labor and pesticide applications; may assign work to others according to well-established guidelines and procedures; inspect completed work; train employees; keep records and make reports of completed work; operate vehicles and other automotive and turf equipment; requisition supplies and equipment; perform specialized landscape maintenance work such as irrigation system repair, installation and maintenance or nursery work as needed; fertilize and irrigate all plant material per seasonal demands; maintain accurate records; and attend classes and seminars as required by government regulations to keep Pest Control Applicators License or Certificate current.
Qualifications
Requires two years in the care and maintenance of landscape areas and one-year experience with large mowing equipment; one year experience in the maintenance, repair or modifications of irrigation systems, specialized pest and / or spray control work, or cultivation and care of nursery plants; experience in landscape maintenance, installation, and nursery work. A Department of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicator Certificate is preferred. If not licensed or certified in pest control at the time of hire one must be obtained within one year from the date of hire. Requires a thorough knowledge of methods, plants and tools as well as 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 as incompatibility factors between soil and plants, difference between plant mixes, and erosion control. Must possess the ability to identify, diagnose, and treat plant disease, and correct plant nutrient deficiencies; prepare freehand sketches and make recommendations for possible improvements in landscaping within the assigned area; read and write at a level appropriate to the position; follow oral and written instructions; and the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other employees, customers, contractors, and visitors to the campus. The successful candidate must pass a pre-placement physical examination. Requires the physical ability to occasionally lift and carry eighty (80) pounds for approximately twenty (20) feet, bend at waist, dig for long periods of time, and regularly use hands. The Gardening Specialist must possess a valid a California Driver’s License.
Qualification Note
Evidence of degree(s) or certificate(s) required at time of hire.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range is $2,950 to $4,423 a month. Starting salary placement will not exceed the beginning of the range. This is a full time, non-exempt position, which will lead toward permanent status following the successful completion of a probationary period. A comprehensive benefits summary (pdf) for this position is available by request from SSU Employee Services.
Application Process
A completed SSU Employment Application form is required for each desired position by the filing deadline. Filing deadlines may be extended to meet the needs of the recruitment. A resume may be submitted in addition to the application. Please be aware that any resume submitted without a completed application will not be considered. More information on the application process is available. You may also contact Employee Services to have an application mailed to you. Materials submitted with your application will not be returned. Employee Services must receive applications for staff positions by 4:30 p.m. on the filing deadline date, unless otherwise specified. The ADA Coordinator is available to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation in the hiring process.
In addition to meeting fully its obligations of nondiscrimination under federal and state laws, Sonoma State University is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual, without regard to economic status, ethnic background, political views, or other personal characteristics or beliefs. Sonoma State University is an Equal Opportunity /ADA Employer.