Union Represented: Yes

Salary Step (minimum/maximum monthly amount): $2,640.00-$3,480.00

Close Date: 07/20/2021

See full job and application details at https://evergreen.peopleadmin.com/postings/2838

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. For more information regarding Evergreen’s non-discrimination policies or to report discrimination, please visit the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity webpage at www.evergreen.edu/equalopportunity or contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Officer at (360) 867-5371, Room 3102 Library Building, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505.

There are two full-time, overtime-eligible positions on the Olympia campus of The Evergreen State College.

These positions reports to the Maintenance Mechanic 4 and are responsible for performing skilled work in the maintenance of the campus grounds and landscape.

Nature and Scope

Perform daily landscape maintenance duties on turf, shrubs, planted areas, and trees, which may include mowing with hand and power driven equipment, aerating, thatching, fertilizing, trimming, sod repair, disease and pest control, and pruning. Perform maintenance on college grounds, including pressure washing, blowing, and minor repairs to irrigation systems. Operate and maintain Grounds vehicles and equipment, which may include trucks, tractors, mowers, lift trucks, vacuum trucks, dump trucks, backhoes, and snowplows.

Essential Functions

• Mow turf areas with walk behind and riding mowers.
• Remove leaves and debris using a backpack leaf blower.
• Mitigate hazard trees and remove storm debris with a chainsaw.
• Prepare soil for planting of turf, shrubbery, trees, and other plants by digging holes, raking soil, etc.
• Fertilize and irrigate trees, shrubs, and turf; rake and remove leaves and brush; and identify and pull weeds.
• Remove debris, leaves, brush, and litter from areas such as roads, walks, and parking lots.
• Remove snow and ice from walks, stairs, and bridges using shovels; apply ice-melt material, sand, and gravel to walks, stairs, and bridges using push spreaders; and plow snow and apply sand to roads with truck mounted equipment.
• Operate, clean, service, and perform minor repairs and maintenance on equipment, which may include hand tools, mowers, lawn edgers, backpack blowers, aerators, trucks, backhoes, tractors, snowplows, chain saws, weed trimmers, and irrigation systems and controls.
• Attend professional seminars and training classes, as approved and participate in cross-training exercises.
• Assist in supporting Graduation and other events, as needed.
• Observe, follow, and support all job safety practices and requirements.
• Respond to campus emergencies and inclement weather situations, including operating applicable equipment.

Additional Duties

• May provide assistance in the installation and maintenance of landscape additions, drainage systems, irrigation systems, and irrigation controls.
• May be asked to assist Facilities staff on projects or work not directly related to grounds on short term or as needed basis.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to operate all grounds equipment and vehicles on a routine and emergency basis.
• Skill in and ability to safely operate, clean, service, adjust, and perform minor repairs and maintenance on equipment used to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to identify trees, shrubs, weeds, and native plants using their botanical and common names; knowledge of plant biology.
• Knowledge, skill, and ability in maintaining landscapes on a seasonal basis.
• Knowledge and understanding of fertilizer formulations and applications used in the landscape maintenance trade.
• Knowledge, skill, and ability to properly prune deciduous and coniferous trees, shrubs, and a variety of plants using hand and power tools and equipment used on landscape maintenance.
• Knowledge of landscape construction, maintenance, and repair techniques, including irrigation and drainage systems and irrigation controls.
• Ability to make repairs to brick paver areas, asphalt surfaces, and concrete sidewalks and curbs.
• Understanding of turf biology, soil testing, fertilizer needs, and biological pest controls.
• Ability to work from elevated lift platforms up to 100 feet.
• Ability to make mainline irrigation repairs up to 4 inch diameter pipe.
• Ability to program automated irrigation systems including trouble shooting and making minor repairs.
• Ability to identify and correct pest problems, including the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and techniques.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to observe, follow, and support safety practices, procedures, and requirements.
• Duties common to this position require physical strength, agility, and endurance to perform duties which require bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, crawling, crouching, pushing, pulling, moving equipment, shoveling, digging, raking, lifting, carrying, and/or moving materials or equipment and working at elevated heights for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to lift and carry small equipment, supplies, and items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Bending, stooping, standing, and performing work while reaching above the head.
• Ability to work in varying weather conditions for prolonged periods of time, including rain, wind, snow, and hot/cold temperatures.
• Ability to work at elevated heights for prolonged periods of time wearing appropriate fall protection.
• Ability to perform repetitive hand and arm motions for extended periods of time.
• Ability to push equipment containing up to 75 pounds of fertilizer or ice melt material.
• Ability to operate/use landscaping equipment/tools on rough, uneven, and sloped terrain.

Desired Qualifications

• One year of experience in gardening, plant care, landscape construction, and grounds maintenance.

Conditions of Employment

• Must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three days of beginning work.
• This position is part of a bargaining unit and covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Prior to an official offer of employment, a Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct form must be submitted to the college per RCW 28B.112.080. The college will contact current and past employers to verify this information. Applicants who provide inaccurate information in their declaration will be disqualified and, if the inaccuracies are discovered after the applicant has been hired, it shall be grounds for termination.
• May be required to work extended hours for storm clean-up and/or other emergency conditions.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license and may be required to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License.

Benefits

A full state benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid campus holidays; a generous medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For more information about Evergreen’s excellent employee benefits, please view http://www.evergreen.edu/payroll/benefits.htm

Supplemental Questions