Human Resources

Job Description Summary

The successful performance of this job requires that the individual is knowledgeable about regional horticulture and environmental conditions in the geographic area including, but not limited to soil types, native and invasive plant species, pests, and climate. This knowledge will be used to support the University Gardener with installing, maintaining, and renovating sustainable gardens and visually appealing landscapes that complement new and existing facilities on campus.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
1. Perform a wide variety of skilled work in gardening operations including, but not limited to the following:
 Planting, watering, weeding, and fertilizing of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs
 Maintenance of indoor plant installments, including sanitation, pruning, fertilizing, and other indoor plant care
 Amending soils, applying mulch, compost, and fertilizer
 Dividing, propagating, and pruning perennials, trees, and shrubs
 Supporting other special projects as assigned including aspects of landscape construction and installation
2. Perform a wide variety of skilled work using hand-held tools and equipment including, but not limited to the following:
 Weed trimmer/Edger
 Push Lawn Mower
 Electric Chainsaw
 Circular Saw
 Reciprocating Saw
 Drivers/Drills
3. Be responsible for general operation and light maintenance of equipment and tools including regular inspection, repairing, cleaning, and sharpening.
4. Assist in supervision of student employees that support the maintenance of campus gardens and interior plant installations. Responsibilities will include taking lead on projects, and mentoring student workers, based on seasonal plant cycles and garden development needs.
5. Support the maintenance of campus patios and planters.
6. Be responsible for connecting hoses to exterior spigots and placing and positioning sprinklers at select areas in campus gardens to ensure that areas are sufficiently irrigated and maintained.
7. Assist in Integrated Pest Management efforts, including monitoring, collection, sanitation, and applications of biological controls.
8. Project implementation support through organizing work assignments and coordinating with the University Gardener to ensure that work is completed on time and within budget.
9. Create and manage work orders through the University’s CMMS, Maintenance Direct™. Assign work orders to appropriate facilities’ staff and monitor status with periodic checks and reporting.
10. Provide excellent customer service to faculty, staff, students, and off-campus customers.
11. Be responsible for housekeeping, sanitation, and safety in assigned Gardens break, storage, shop, and work areas.
12. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
13. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work. Performing duties in compliance with safety regulations, including but not limited to: MIOSHA; MDARD; and product labels.
14. Report all safety-related concerns and incidents to the supervisor.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)

• High School diploma, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
• Must possess valid driver's license(s) and a satisfactory driving record.

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

• Three years’ experience, within the last ten years, in the performance of gardening and landscaping including indoor and outdoor plant installation and maintenance, tree and shrub planting and maintenance, medium-duty landscape construction, and equivalent tasks.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Experience working effectively with administrative and academic professionals in an institutional setting.
• Familiarity with the operation of computers, portable electronic devices, and their related applications including login procedures, electronic mail, and text messages.
• Experience in the operation and maintenance of data management including, but not limited to the following:
- Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, etc.)
- Google Suite (Sheets, Slides, Earth, Maps, Tasks, Calendar, Groups, etc.)
- AutoCAD
- Dynascape
- Sketch Up
- Zoom
• Familiarity with the principles of Integrated Pest Management
• Ability to read and work from blueprints, sketches, and schematic drawings.
• Possession of a Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification as defined by The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Public Act 451, As Amended and Regulation 636, As Amended.
• Possession of a certification in First-Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Maintain a broad knowledge of applied trade practices, techniques, and applicable rules and codes.
• Formal design training, i.e. landscape design certification.
• Formal college education in subjects such as chemistry, biology, botany, dendrology, soil chemistry, landscape ecology.
• Familiarity with maintenance management software and electronic work request ticketing system.
• Prior safety training in any of the following:
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Ladder Use
- Scaffold Use
- Tree Trimming
- Bloodborne Pathogens
Hazardous Substance and Spill Awareness

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Knowledge of local weed identification, and extensive knowledge of perennials, annuals, bulbs, and houseplants.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret documents, such as safety rules, operation and maintenance manuals, and written instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, summarize results and compose routine reports/correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to frequently changing work environments, conditions and work schedules.
• Ability to work from general assignment and proceed with minimum supervision or direction from others.
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently and safely operate and perform daily maintenance (greasing, checking fluids and tire pressure, etc.) on light-duty equipment including, but not limited to pick-up trucks and similar service vehicles.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to complete routine reports. Ability to effectively present information in one on one situations to customers or employees.


Mathematical Skills:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of problems in standardized situations. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical, diagram, written or oral form.
• Demonstrated ability to safely operate power hand tools and motorized equipment.
• Ability to perform tasks involving climbing, lifting, handling of materials and supplies, moving furniture and equipment and working from ladders and scaffolds.
• Knowledge and ability related to the safe handling and application of seed, fertilizer, and soil amendments used in turf maintenance and weed/pest control.
• Excellent work attendance record.
• Good physical condition to enable safe, efficient, and sanitary performance of work, with or without accommodation.

• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints. **

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee may occasionally work in elevated locations or in areas where chemical, biological, or physical hazards may be present. In addition, the employee may be required to work in other high hazard conditions including areas where fumes or particulates are present; areas where risk of electrical shock is present; or areas where moving mechanical parts may be present. The employee must regularly work in all outdoor weather conditions including blizzards, storms, hail, wind, rain, fog, extreme heat, extreme cold, and sunshine.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to very loud.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and reach with hands and arms. While operating equipment, the employee may be expected to sit in the operator’s seat for extended periods of time. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel an object; and taste or smell and be able to communicate with others via cellphone or radio.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; frequently lifting and/or moving more than 100 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. Visa sponsorship is unavailable at this time. This is not an E-Verified Position.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

1

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Appointment Term

9 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

No less than $16.00/hr

Title of Position Supervisor

University Gardener

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Additional Information