Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3

State of Washington•Yakima County – Yakima, WA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Washington Military Department (WMD) is seeking a skilled Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist to join our construction and facilities team, located in Yakima, WA. This position plays a vital role in maintaining the appearance, safety, and overall condition of the Yakima campus. The ideal candidate enjoys working outside, takes pride in quality work, and is committed to maintaining high standards of landscape care and maintenance. This position works under the general supervision of the Maintenance Mechanic 4 for the Yakima Region of the State Maintenance and Support Services (SMSS) Branch in the Construction and Facilities Management Office (CFMO). This position is responsible for performing general grounds care to include related maintenance and exterior custodial efforts. This is a civilian position and does not require military service affiliation. About the Washington Military Department Protecting people is our passion. At the Washington Military Department, we combine our unique talents to create safer communities and ensure our neighbors and loved ones can recover from whatever emergency might arise. Our agency unites civilian employees with members of the Washington National Guard, creating a team that is deeply committed to public service. We go home at night knowing that our day-to-day work supports activities that truly make a difference. Whether that's partnering with our communities to prepare for a disaster, leading an emergency response, hiring top-notch talent or supporting at-risk kids at our Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy - the Washington Military Department seeks to safeguard our way of life and those that call Washington home. To learn more about the Washington Military Department, visit: www.mil.wa.gov In addition to job fulfillment, the Washington Military Department offers an excellent benefits package which includes exceptional health care coverage, a retirement savings plan and job training opportunities.

Requirements

Two years of experience in grounds maintenance, gardening, plant care, cultivation, and/or landscape installation
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Washington State Pesticide Applicator License within six months of employment.
Valid driver's license to drive in the State of Washington.
Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act.
Willingness to work on a Military Controlled Access Installation.
Must meet access requirements / background check for installation access.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.
Experience in landscaping and hardscaping cleaning.
Experience utilizing Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, or similar software) to develop program documents.
Ability to read plans and blueprints for landscaping related efforts.
Actively demonstrate a commitment to learning and growth.
Demonstrate a willingness to understand and meet the needs of others.

Responsibilities

Mow, trim, and rake grounds using power equipment and hand tools.
Blow off sidewalks, paths, and curbs using power equipment to remove debris and maintain clean pedestrian walkways.
Weed and maintain landscaped areas by hand and with tools to ensure plant health and a professional appearance.
Prune trees and shrubs using shears, saws and aerial lift equipment.
Apply mulch and fertilizer and plant grass and shrubs.
Trim and remove vegetation from fencelines and around buildings.
Plant grass, trees, and shrubs.
Operate and repair a variety of ground mechanical equipment and pesticide application apparatus.
Ensure all warranted efforts are timely generated, updated, and completed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
Possess and maintain a Public Operator License from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).
Generate, maintain, and submit accurate pesticide application records for regulatory agency requirements.
Diagnose and treat plant diseases and pests.
Calibrate, operate, maintain, and repair pesticide application equipment.
Apply pesticide and/or fertilizer to lawns, hardscapes, gravel lots, roadways, and fencelines.
Service motorized and non-motorized equipment.
Repair broken or worn equipment components.
Maintain equipment in a clean, properly functioning, and ready-to-use state through regular cleaning and inspections.
Winterize and store equipment appropriately using protective coatings and climate-controlled storage.
Review irrigation systems using visual inspections and pressure testing to ensure operation is optimal and efficient.
Repair and replace damaged or in-operational controllers, sprinklers, pipes, or valves using plumbing tools and replacement parts to restore system functionality.
Upgrade, install, or modify irrigation systems using specialized trenching and piping methods to match the needs of developed landscapes.
Winterize irrigation systems using high-pressure air blow-out methods to prevent freeze damage.
Perform snow removal and apply ice melt on sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways.
Pressure wash hard surfaces at ground level and/or building faces, structures, and walkways.
Remove debris from assigned areas.