Grounds & Nursery II

POSITION TITLE: Grounds & Nursery II COMPENSATIONRANGE: 46,128.00 - 46,128.00 USD per year EMPLOYMENTCLASSIFICATION: Classified DEPARTMENT: Grounds TARGET HIRE DATE: 4/1/2026 BENEFITS: UNC's CareerHub To be considered for this position, please apply directly through the State of Colorado's official job portal via the APPLY NOW link provided above (NeoGov). Applications submitted through platforms other than NeoGOV will not be reviewed.To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 03/18/2026.Position Summary: A. Duty: Landscape Construction & Maintenance Performs duties that include planting of grass (seed and sod), shrubs, trees, annuals, and perennials; pruning of woody and herbaceous plant materials; seasonal maintenance of naturalized and formal landscapes; monitoring irrigation operations, and campus turf care in assigned work zone. General landscape maintenance including mechanical and manual weed removal, cleanup of limbs, leaf, graffiti and trash removal, parking lot, curb and gutter maintenance. Coordinate landscape renovation or repair projects with internal team members. Projects may include installation of edging, planting beds, rock, mulch, dry stacked walls, site furnishing installation, fencing, irrigation installation. Work collaboratively with student seasonal and University Aides organizing and guiding work efforts. Support campus events and contractors on as needed basis. Work lead will help to coordinate larger construction activities when assigned by grounds manager. Role will include identifying resources, coordinating, and scheduling work and performing as a subject matter resource for others when needed. B. Duty: Turf Maintenance Performs turf mowing activities with various commercial mowing equipment to include push, ride on and pulled mowing equipment and trimmers. Relevant turf care activities: edging, aeration, top dressing, fertilization, chemical application and monitoring of plant condition. Required to coordinate small area chemical and fertilizer application and documentation with licensed chemical applicator. Supports irrigation needs in turf areas by monitoring zone performance, conducting basic coverage tests, and identifying underperforming or malfunctioning irrigation components. Performs minor irrigation maintenance such as adjusting heads, repairing lateral lines and valves, unclogging emitters, and replacing drip components. Assists the irrigation technician with controller programming, system installations, and large-scale repairs as needed. Makes temporary irrigation adjustments in response to campus events or weather conditions. Contributes to water conservation efforts by identifying runoff issues or overwatering and reporting concerns to supervisors or the irrigation team. Work lead will help to identify maintenance practices that negatively impact naturalized health, working with the grounds manager to strategize practices to improve operations. C. Duty: Tree Care Shrub Maintenance Performs routine care and maintenance of campus trees, shrubs, and woody plant material. Tasks include structural pruning of young trees, thinning of shrubs and ornamental species, removal of dead or damaged limbs, and monitoring for signs of disease or insect infestation. Assists with planting, staking, mulching, and watering of new trees and shrubs. Operates chainsaws, pole saws, and hand tools in accordance with safety standards. May assist arborist or supervisor with larger removals, risk assessments, or storm clean-up. Supports the university's goals for long-term canopy health, landscape safety, and sustainable plant care. Work Lead will provide guidance related to maintenance practices specific to native and naturalized plant materials, coordinating larger scale pruning and trimming activities and monitoring results. D. Duty: Equipment Operation & Snow/Ice Control Operates a range of motorized and manual landscape equipment including mowers, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, utility vehicles, snow blowers, and spreaders. Occasionally heavier equipment such as skid steers, tractors, backhoes, or aerial lifts. Responds to weather events and performs snow removal on campus walkways, ADA paths, parking lots, and access routes using manual and mechanized methods. Adjusts snow removal strategies based on storm conditions and surface types. Follows all safety procedures and uses appropriate PPE when operating equipment or working in hazardous conditions. E. Duty: Irrigation Operation and Maintenance Monitors zone watering needs, perform coverage tests and assist irrigation technician with programming/scheduling. Monitors performance and effectiveness of irrigation in assigned zone and report large scale problems to irrigation technician or manager. Trouble shoots and repairs broken heads, lateral lines, and drip systems. Assists irrigation technician with main line repairs, system installs and renovations. Suspends system operation on as needed basis for special events and activities. Performs field locates of mainline and lateral irrigation systems for special events and construction activities. Work Lead will proactively identify irrigation issues that impact plant health and campus landscape providing feedback to assigned zone gardeners when plant health is in decline. F. Duty: Pesticide/Fertilize Application Performs the application of fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides commonly used in landscape maintenance under consultation of licensed spray technician. Utilizes hand sprayer, cyclone spreader, and utility vehicle mount spreaders. Documents all applications daily via established written and mapped standard practices. Comply with product labels and PPE requirements. Work Lead helps to coordinate equipment when needed and ensure application completion. Minimum Qualifications: Per State of Colorado Minimum QualificationBenefits: Benefits available includehealth, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of severaldefined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receivesick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employeesare eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spousesof UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above areeligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants willcover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may beavailable based on position. About UNC The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC's commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognizedas a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud tobe a HispanicServing Institution and to serve more than 44% of our undergraduates who are the first in theirfamily to attend college. UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC's Career Hub, to learn more about UNC's strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears! EEO StatementThe University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and workingenvironment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNCcommunity. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin,religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, geneticinformation, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based ongender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who opposea discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for,assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating todiscrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not beconsidered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is theresponsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC'scompliance with this policy. ADA AccommodationsThe University of Northern Colorado is committedto providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If yourequire reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewingor otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please directyour inquiries to 970-351-2718 or . Background Check Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire. This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado. Clery Act In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.

Created: 2026-03-06