Gardener Lead

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

About The Position

UW Facilities manages the University’s buildings, infrastructure and land, with more than 1,100 employees in a variety of fields. The Asset Management group includes Capital & Space Management, Real Estate, Sustainability and other teams responsible for planning and workload management. The Operations group includes Project Delivery, Maintenance & Construction, Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations, Building Services, Transportation Services and Safety. Supporting these groups are the Business Intelligence & Information Technology group and the Finance & Administration group. Please visit the UW Facilities web page for more information: https://facilities.uw.edu/ . Maintenance & Construction (M&C) is responsible for general maintenance, repair, and renovations of all University of Washington (UW) main campus facilities including building interiors, exteriors, and grounds, as well as logistics, moving, and disposal of surplus equipment and furniture. We have an outstanding opportunity for a Gardener Lead to perform and lead personnel in specialized grounds duties requiring the skill and knowledge of cultivation and maintenance of trees, lawns and ornamental plants.

Requirements

Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness.
Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively.
Anticipate, recognize, and resolve problems.
Be responsible and accountable.
Use organizational skills and provide attention to details.
Maintain a positive, optimistic, and success-oriented attitude.
Exercise professionalism, which includes being tactful and courteous.
Exhibit a professional work ethic.
Continuously promote a safe work environment.
Physical ability to do required work AND two years of experience as a Gardener or equivalent work involving grounds maintenance, plant care, and landscape construction – or – physical ability to do required work AND one year of experience as stated above AND one year of college level training in botany, horticulture, forestry, landscape, irrigation, or allied field.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Washington State Public Pesticide Operator License or obtain license within 120 days of employment.
Possess of valid Washington State Driver’s License or a license recognized as valid by the State of Washington.
Must be able to work outside under all weather conditions.
Ability to lift and move heavy materials is required.
Must be able to be fitted for and wear a respirator on the job.
Approved footwear must be provided at the employee’s expense and worn on the job.
Work may require access to confined spaces and heights using approved safety procedures.
May be required to accept variable work shift.
Must participate in medical screening/monitoring (such as TB screening and proof of measles inoculation) required for work assignments in locations, including but not limited to, nonhuman primate areas, the Animal Research and Care Facility, and the University of Washington Medical Center.
Must be able to work in a non-smoking environment.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field.
Certified as a Landscape Technician by the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP)
Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional (WSNLA)
Demonstrated positive, optimistic, success-oriented attitude and support of the organization, policies, and management decisions.
Demonstrated experience working with computerized maintenance management systems and proficiency with standard productivity software including Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent products.
Demonstrated success in performing specialized grounds duties requiring the skill and knowledge of maintaining trees, turf, ornamental plants, interior plants, vegetable gardens and hardscape areas.
Demonstrated successful experience as a lead or supervisor.
Experience in estate gardening and/or in landscape construction and grounds maintenance, which includes maintaining, trouble-shooting, repairing, modifying, installing and monitoring landscape irrigation systems, water features and outdoor lighting.
Knowledge and practical experience with WISHA (Washington Industrial Safety & Health Act) and OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Act) regulations to promote a safe work environment.
Excellent problem-solving skills. Able to analyze complex information, define problems, and develop and implement creative, cost-effective solutions. Function within a complex regulatory environment. Effectively interpret and apply standards, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Proven professional work ethic with a high level of personal integrity, trustworthiness and an exceptional understanding of confidentiality and discretion.
Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills and a proven ability to work successfully with people at all levels throughout the organization and with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Proven ability to maintain professional behavior, tactfulness and composure in a fast paced, dynamic, customer service-driven environment.
Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail. Able to work independently and successfully prioritize and coordinate multiple programs and assigned tasks.
Demonstrated flexibility to manage stressful and unpredictable changing requirements effectively.
Proven ability to lead by example in both performance and behavior and to hold employees accountable to established expectations.
Proven ability to take direction, meet expectations, and work cohesively as a member of a team.

Responsibilities

Perform and lead personnel in specialized grounds duties requiring the skill and knowledge of cultivation and maintenance of trees, lawns and ornamental plants.
Prepare grounds for lawns, plants, trees and seasonal plantings.
Plant seeds, bulbs, shrubs, trees, and ground covers.
Control invasive and noxious weeds through Integrated Pest Management strategies and practices.
Maintain plants through accepted horticultural standards including raking and removing leaves and litter and removing snow and ice from assigned pathways and stairs during inclement weather events.
Monitor and adjust irrigation systems and write work orders for irrigation repair.
Inspect projects to ensure compliance with design, local standards and codes, and capture updated as-built records to reflect actual field installation
Operate commercial motorized equipment such as automobiles and trucks - including dump trucks, high rangers, forklifts, scissor-lifts, tractors, front-end loaders, mowers, tillers, sweepers and trailers.
Operate small engine equipment such as chain saws, string-line trimmers, sprayers and backpack blowers.
Use a variety of hand implements and tools.
Operate vehicles such as UW vans and trucks to transport tools, equipment, and personnel to various job sites.
Determine scope of work, develop accurate cost estimates, material availability, and cost effective solutions for fabrication, installation, and repair work.
Read plans and blueprints, inspect projects to ensure compliance with local codes, obtain Seattle Public Utilities permits, and maintain records of work performed.
Construct projects and modifications from drawings or sketches as written.
Use computer programs to accomplish tasks, including work management and project scheduling systems, e-mail, calendars, and spreadsheets; maintain work records and write reports as needed.
Order materials to accomplish the work; load and unload materials and supplies.
Perform Gardener 2 work as necessary to meet production demands and assure proper service to campus clients.
Positively support all management directives and actively promote the purpose and foundational values of M&C.
Provide information for employee performance reviews to supervisor and participate in the recruitment process.
Communicate and collaborate with other UW Facilities shops and other business partners such as Engineering Services and Project Delivery Group to facilitate work.
Comply with all UW and UW Facilities policies and procedures, M&C protocols, i.e., Individual Accountability Protocols (IAP).
Support all management directives and the vision and values of M&C.
Participate in and follow through with M&C process improvement initiatives, incorporating metrics into internal work processes, and promoting employee engagement in continuous improvements and innovation.
Continuously promote a safe work environment.
Keep supervisors informed of project status, work progress, and required project materials and equipment.
Work and coordinate with skilled trades as required to maintain campus buildings, utilities, and grounds.
With shop supervisor, develop weekly work schedules, and priority projects.
Alert shop supervisor of problems that require client contact.
Be attentive to the success of all projects, both “Shop Direct” (“Assigned”) and “Project Managed” jobs.
Provide input to shop supervisor regarding timecard accuracy.
Actively participate in meetings and trainings as scheduled.
Know and ensure that assigned personnel comply with occupational health and safety regulations specific to performance of the work. This will include Safety Data Sheet (SDS) instructions, Hazard Review Checklists (HRCs), and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
Report all safety issues to shop supervisor.
Maintain professional knowledge of industry standards to ensure the best products at the best prices.
Perform other duties as assigned.