Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3 - Eastern Washington University : Job Details

Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3 About Eastern Washington University: Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the region's polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWU's 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington's second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelor's and master's degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a '24-'25 College of Distinction (CoD). Money magazine recently named EWU as one of its Best Colleges in America 2024. Tribal Land Acknowledgement At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land. Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community. At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes. From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university. Job Summary: Are you passionate about horticulture and landscape management? Eastern Washington University is seeking a Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3 to join our dedicated team. In this role, you will be integral to the care and maintenance of our beautiful 300 acre campus grounds, ensuring they thrive for students, staff, and the community to enjoy. Key Responsibilities:Manage and maintain a comprehensive grounds maintenance program, including mowing, trimming, and seasonal plant care. Oversee and implement sprinkler irrigation systems to ensure optimal water usage across the campus. Propagate and nurture trees, shrubs, and forage plants, contributing to our campus biodiversity. Conduct soil analyses to assess and improve soil health, and maintain detailed growth records for all propagations. Collaborate with other departments to enhance the campus landscape and support sustainability initiatives. This position works full time year round (12 months per year). The salary range for this position is $41,844 (minimum) to $52,896. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, life and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 13 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: Eastern Washington University provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence. Required Qualifications: Physical ability to do the essential functions of the job, see Physical Demands (above) for physical requirements One year of experience or training involving grounds maintenance, plant care, cultivation and landscape installation High school diploma or GED Valid driver's license Must acquire and maintain a Washington State Department of Agriculture Public Applicators License with the following categories: Laws & Safety, Ornamental Weeds, Insect & Disease within six months of hire Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that is supportive to the needs, including universal access, of our students, faculty, staff and public. Preferred Qualifications: Prefer applicant to already possess a WSDA Applicators License. Other Skills and Abilities: Qualified tree pruner, skilled in plant propagation in a greenhouse. Detail oriented in landscape skills. Understanding of safe work practices. Professional and courteous demeanor. Job Duties: Plans, prepares, plants, feeds, waters, prunes and maintains flower beds and landscaped areas; Includes preparation of ground for lawn, plants, trees and planting shrubs; plant trees, grass, flowers, shrubs, seeds, bulbs, and other types of foliage. Seed, mow, fertilize and maintain lawns. Use a variety of powered and non-powered tools and implements in the performance of the functions listed. Operate power equipment such as light tractors, trucks, lawn mowers, sweepers, sprayers, trimmers, rototillers, aerators, sod cutters, trenchers, chain saws and aerial lifts in support of gardening functions Percent of Time: 25 Diagnoses and treats plant diseases. Control insect pests where needed; applies pesticides when deemed necessary for control of pests with the appropriate license. Prepares bedding areas by sterilizing and mixing soils, cleaning bedding tables and sterilizing pots and containers used in nursery culture. Propagates plants by cutting, seeding, grafting, layering and budding. Analyze soil for PH content; takes tissue samples for analysis. Formulates and presents recommendations for layout or improvements of grounds. Converts quotas of seedlings and potted plants to square footage of greenhouse and cold frame planting and to species and quantities of seeds. Submits requests for all necessary supplies and equipment. May participate in formulating annual operating plans for large greenhouse and takes principal responsibility for executing plans schedules planning dates and other work to coincide with seasons and plant life cycles. Percent of Time: 22 Remove debris, snow and ice from walks, stairways, roads and parking areas. Operate power equipment such as light tractors, trucks, sweepers, sprayers, and leaf and snow blowers in support of maintenance functions Installs, maintains, repairs, and adjusts various sprinkler systems and control devices Percent of Time: 20 Installs, maintains, repairs, and adjusts various sprinkler systems and control devices Percent of Time: 20 Operates and maintains assigned vehicle. May repair, maintain and operate a variety of grounds mechanical equipment, systems, and apparatus; including grease, oil, service and make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment. Keep equipment in good working order Percent of Time: 10 May supervise, direct, or lead other employees and helpers Percent of Time: 3 Conditions of Employment: During the course of university employment this position will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value; as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment. All new employees will comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs. This position is covered by the Washington Federation of State Employees' Collective Bargaining Agreement: After starting employment, employees will be required to complete training. Training will be made available either in person or via Zoom, and you will be contacted at a later date with further details once the schedule has been finalized. Salary Information: The salary for this position is $41,844 (minimum) up to $52,896. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. Posting Date: 09/02/2025 Open Until Further Notice: No Closing Date: 9/16/2025 Screening to Begin: Immediately Special Instructions to Applicants: Submit your application materials through our online applications portal provided below. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, please contact Human Resources Services at (509) ###-####. To apply, visit jeid-7ad0bb5ebe358f4d893992cf24eb6af4