Grounds & Nursery I

University of Colorado • Colorado Springs, CO

7d • Onsite

About The Position

This position helps create and maintain an attractive, safe, and welcoming campus environment for Auxiliary Funded spaces. The work includes maintaining landscaped areas and floral displays, caring for campus grounds, supporting recycling efforts, collecting litter and debris, maintaining grounds equipment, and assisting with seasonal snow and ice removal. The position is designated as essential services and may be required to report without delay to provide essential or emergency services. Work is onsite at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Employees may be expected to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on operational needs. The role may involve exposure to hazardous materials, cleaning products, infectious materials, or human blood and bodily fluids.

The position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The starting salary is $44,376 per year ($3,698 per month). Applications are accepted through November 8, 2026. The potential start date is December 14, 2026. Colorado residency is required at the time of application.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience in an occupational field related to the assigned work, such as grounds and nursery, landscaping, storm water maintenance, outdoor services, or a related field.
• Valid driver's license.
• Colorado residency at the time of application.
• Ability to push, pull, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Successfully pass a background check.
• Pass pre-employment drug testing.
• Submit a resume with date ranges, whether each position was full- or part-time, and hours worked per week.
• Veteran applicants must submit a DD-214.
• Ability to report without delay or interruption when required to provide essential or emergency services.
• Ability to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on work-group needs.
• Ability to work in conditions involving extreme cold, heat, and atmospheric conditions, with possible exposure to electrical shock, toxic or caustic chemicals, cleaning products, infectious materials, or human blood and bodily fluids.
• Final candidates must complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contact information for previous institutions for the misconduct history check.
• Verify employment eligibility by the end of the third day of work.

Nice To Haves

• One year or more of experience in an Essential Personnel role.
• Two years of experience in a related occupational field, preferably in a higher education or institutional environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain landscaped areas and floral displays within an assigned zone, prioritizing turf work based on campus foot traffic and building activity.
• Assess and report turf stress to a Grounds & Nursery II employee or supervisor; determine repair strategies for damaged sprinkler heads.
• Collect litter and debris and assess the cleanliness of benches and tables along assigned routes.
• Identify sidewalk and other safety hazards, mark hazards temporarily when appropriate, and communicate issues to the supervisor.
• Assess handrail paint condition, create work orders, and schedule painting when needed.
• Assess grounds equipment condition, establish cleaning schedules, check and add fluids according to specifications, and evaluate mower blades for sharpening or maintenance requests.
• Prioritize areas for snow removal, sand surfaces, identify weather-related slip and fall hazards, and apply ice melt according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Operate snow-removal vehicles and determine snow-push locations while considering effects on roads and parking spaces.
• Respond to emergencies and accept short-term reassignment as needed.
• Determine appropriate timing and method for weed control, including manual removal or chemical treatment, and assess whether weather is suitable for product application.
• Support campus sustainability efforts through recycling programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance, with the lowest-cost option costing the employee $0.
• Dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick time accruals; starting accruals are 8 hours of vacation and 6.66 hours of sick time per month, prorated for part-time employees.
• Mandatory retirement plan: employees contribute 5% of annual compensation and CU contributes 10%.
• Tuition Assistant Benefit for the employee or a dependent.
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Off-campus housing resources.
• Overtime eligibility for non-exempt employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed