Job Details

Grounds & Nursery I

Position Number: 6325562
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Position Type: Agriculture - Horticulture & Landscape Architecture

Grounds & Nursery I - 37156 Classified Staff

Description
Applications for this position will be accepted through 07/08/2025.

Candidates are required to submit the following to be considered for this position:

Resume, with date ranges, whether it was full or part time, and hours per week worked.
DD-214 for veteran applicants.
Colorado law requires that candidates for state government jobs be residents of Colorado at the time of application.
This is an essential service position (Required to be on duty to perform essential and/or emergency services of the agency without delay and/or interruption).

What We Offer:

The salary for this position starts at $43,068($3,589/month).
This position has been determined to be eligible for overtime (non-exempt) under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
This position is eligible for paid sick leave. Information on benefits, including eligibility, is located at: http://www.cu.edu/employee-services

Work Location: On-site

Description:

Envision yourself in a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment that has a deep commitment to position our graduates for success in their professional and personal lives. Visualize applying your energy and skills for an organization that respects and cares about its employees enough to offer some of the best benefits of the industry while encouraging every team member to grow, collaborate, and provide input on how to consistently make the workplace a place people love to work. Imagine working at a college that welcomes everyone — students, faculty, staff, and community members — regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or traditions. If what was just described is what you look for in a workplace, welcome to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)!

The Facilities Services Department at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of State Classified Grounds & Nursery I. This position exists to maintain and enhance campus grounds and floral beds, do routine equipment maintenance, provide trash pickup throughout the campus, assist with the recycle program, and provide seasonal snow removal.

The key responsibilities include:

Landscape Maintenance Main Campus Properties

Provides landscape maintenance for the assigned zone; coordinates work with GNII to ensure standards and practices are met.
Work includes mowing, edging, aeration, weed eating, topdressing, seeding, fertilizing turf, debris and trash clean up, gum removal and minor concrete flatwork and sprinkler system repairs, work includes fixing broken heads, and setting controllers.
Plants are maintained according to department landscaping standards and practices.
Sweep hard surfaces such as walkways and sitting areas of grass, dirt or other debris because of mowing / trimming using blowers, brooms and other cleaning equipment.
Performs seasonal review of zone condition so a replacement or repair strategy can be budgeted and scheduled during the landscaping season.
Furniture and outdoor fixtures kept functioning, clean and graffiti free.
Submits work requests using the TMA work order system for customer requests and/or department identified needs.
Provides excellent customer service.
The position requires driving grounds related vehicles in all types of weather conditions.

Maintaining a clean and safe campus

Supports a clean outdoor campus area: cleaning up of trash on campus, emptying all outside trash containers, wiping top of trash cans, scrubbing cans, cleaning containers, wiping benches and tables, cleaning cigarette receptacles and the cleaning of bus stop terminals.
Participate and assist in the recycle program to include cardboard collection and compost collection for the greenhouse.
Identifies safety hazards, corrects issues within the scope of responsibility, and participates with outdoor sign, bike racks, site furnishings and handrail repairs.

Equipment and System maintenance

Participates in the maintenance of equipment; this includes campus owned vehicles, gators, lawn mowers, tractor, trailers, sanders, snowplows, edger, skid loader, backpack blowers, chain saws, trimmers and spreaders.
Participate in seasonal start-up and blowout of irrigation systems.

Snow removal/ Essential Services

Participates in the removal of snow and ice from campus.
Provides sand for roadways and ice melt for walkways. Cleaning of sidewalks and roads after snow event.
Operates heavy equipment (skid loader and dump truck) for snow removal and in support of campus operations.
The position requires driving grounds related vehicles in all types of weather conditions.

Chemical application

Pesticide & Chemical Use – this position is to maintain knowledge and expertise in the proper use of standard landscape chemicals and pesticides.
Apply pre-emergent chemical to all hardscape areas seasonally before weed growth occurs.
Apply post-emergent chemical applications to all hardscape areas seasonally after weed growth has started.

Candidates must understand and comply with the following:

Successfully pass a background check
Pre-employment Physical: Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry up to 50lbs.
Pre-employment Drug Testing
Drug Free Workplace
Ongoing Functional Capacity Testing
Driver's License Requirement
Essential Services Designation
Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare
Employee may be expected to work various shifts to include nights, weekends and holidays, depending on the needs of the building or work group
Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials
Lab areas & exposure to cleaning products
Possible exposure to Infectious Materials/Human Blood or Bodily Fluids

Tentative Search Timeline:

The potential dates for interviews with the search committee will be the week of 07/08/2025
The potential employee start date is 08/15/2025

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check.

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at (719) 255-3372.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

Qualifications
Please note that while the position details both required qualifications as well as preferred qualifications below, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the desired skills and experience to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, have passion for the work, along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on-the-job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

One year of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position such as grounds and nursery, landscaping, storm water maintenance, outdoor services, or other related fields.
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Must be a Colorado Resident.

Preferred Qualifications:

One year or more experience in an Essential Personnel role.
Two years of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position such as grounds and nursery, landscaping, storm water maintenance, outdoor services, or other related fields. (Preferably working in a higher education/institutional environment.)

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to move. This position involves climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling and fine motor skills. Tasks may involve using a computer screen continuously for long periods of time. Talking and hearing within normal range. Clarity of vision for 20 feet or more, depth perception and accommodation. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and frequently required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position will be responsible for removing snow and ice when seasonal conditions require it. Working conditions: this position will have exposure to extreme cold, heat, and atmospheric conditions. May have exposure to electrical shock or exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date. If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.
Special Instructions to Applicants: Classified Staff positions have specific application requirements: Submit all required documents indicated in this posting. Include a current email address as communication is electronic-based. Failure to complete a timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applications MUST be completed in their entirety, including job title, duties, months and years employed, and hours per week worked as minimum experience is calculated on a 40 hour/week basis. Address qualifications, competencies and preferred qualifications in your application, as these along with previous work experience will be used to assess competencies. Answers will be verified against your application and may be checked with references. False information could lead to your removal from the hiring process. Click here to view Veteran and other General Information regarding Classified Staff positions. Part of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts. Therefore, it is essential that in the experience portion of your application material, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies and pre-screening questions. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your status and prevent you from being considered in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants. An explanation of your Appeal Rights can be found at https://www.uccs.edu/hr/employment-services/recruitment-search-and-hire/classified-staff. Application Materials Required: Resume/CV Application Materials Instructions: If you have technical difficulties with your application, please contact the CU Careers help desk at 303-860-4200 #5 or cucareershelp@cu.edu. Job related inquiries should be directed to the posting contact. Applications for this position will be accepted through 7/8/2025. Applications submitted through email or surface mail will not be considered. Please apply at www.cu.edu/cu-careers. Upon request, please be prepared to provide five professional references (at least two previous/current supervisors), including their email contact information. To apply, please submit the following materials to this posting at https://www.cu.edu/cu-careers. A current resume. Must include date ranges to include month and year (mm/yyyy), whether full time or part time, and hours worked per week. DD-214 for veteran applicants List additional required application documents here.

Job Category: Facilities/Labor,Trades & Crafts

Primary Location: Colorado Springs Department: C0001 -- Colorado Springs Campus - 40095 - VCAF-FAC-ADMIN OP

Schedule: Full-time

Posting Date: Jun 25, 2025

Unposting Date: Ongoing Posting Contact Name: Mikayla Greenfield Posting Contact Email: mgreenfi@uccs.edu Position Number: 00400122