Horticultural Specialist

Brandeis University•Waltham, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Manager, Grounds & Fleet, the Horticultural Specialist maintains campus grounds, including lawns, mulch beds, athletics fields, sidewalks, and roadways. The role primarily focuses on caring for and maintaining perennials and nursery stock, and also applies pesticides and fertilizers, removes snow and ice, and participates in campus trash, recycling, and compost operations. The position requires extensive groundskeeping knowledge across various land types, including pesticides and irrigation. The Horticultural Specialist performs horticultural, landscaping, irrigation, athletic-field, and general grounds-maintenance work; uses hand tools, power tools, vehicles, and equipment; and may instruct fellow employees in horticultural techniques. The role is primarily outdoors, subject to changing New England weather, priorities, and deadlines. The employee must be able to work alone with minimal supervision, respond to emergency call-ins as needed, and make decisions in lieu of the Grounds Manager when absent. This is a Local 615, 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SEIU) position. The stated rate is $37.29 per hour for 40 hours per week, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Four years of related experience in a horticultural field.
Valid and current United States driver’s license required.
Massachusetts Hoisting License 1C/2A required.
Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator’s License required.
DOT Medical Certificate required.
Extensive knowledge of landscaping, lawn care, irrigation, pesticides, plant materials, pruning techniques and timing, and care of perennials, trees, and shrubs.
Thorough understanding of irrigation system uses and repair.
Basic understanding of mowing and trimming practices and athletic-field maintenance and setup.
Ability to use hand and power tools.
Ability to read, write, understand, and carry out oral and written instructions in English; frequent verbal and written communication skills are required.
Ability to follow instructions from supervisors or senior managers and work alone with minimal supervision.
Ability to analyze varied problems and determine how to accomplish defined results with little guidance.
Ability to work outdoors in changing climate conditions and priorities, and to respond to emergency call-ins as needed.
Ability to manually lift up to 60 pounds; heavier materials or equipment are lifted using other methods.
Ability to drive a University vehicle.
Ability to work within the Facilities Services budget.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in landscaping, horticulture, or land management preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain campus lawns, mulch beds, perennials, nursery stock, and other landscaped areas using power tools, equipment, and hand tools.
Maintain athletic areas, including baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, artificial turf, and tennis courts.
Apply pesticides, fertilizers, lime, and other plant-health products to lawns, athletic fields, and garden beds according to product labels.
Maintain, schedule, troubleshoot, and repair the campus-wide irrigation system.
Recommend small horticultural designs and execute plans for planters and beds; interpret and stake out plans based on drawings and designs.
Prune trees and shrubs using hand and power tools; plant trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs.
Instruct and direct fellow employees on horticultural techniques when assigned.
Keep records, write reports, and identify grounds materials.
Use equipment requiring a Massachusetts hoisting license.
Remove and treat snow and ice throughout campus using trucks and utility vehicles with plows and sanders, as well as front-end loaders.
Install asphalt, cold patch, concrete, cement, and other construction materials.
Perform trash, recycling, compost, and litter-pickup operations.
Clean and maintain outdoor furniture; remove outdoor graffiti from building exteriors and pavement; remove unapproved signs when directed by the Manager.
Assist with moving furniture or equipment as assigned.
Refuel emergency generators throughout campus.
Report issues, exterior campus damage, destruction, and needed repairs to the appropriate supervisor.
Follow safety procedures and rules, including OSHA requirements, and participate in training to maintain and develop job-related knowledge and skills.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, department heads, and other campus community members.
Drive a University vehicle and respond to emergency call-ins as needed.
Work within the Facilities Services budget and make decisions in lieu of the Grounds Manager when absent.