Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3 (Lead) and Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 4 (Supervisor)

The Opportunity:

Be a part of keeping the Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver campus beautiful! We’re looking for individuals who like to be hands on maintaining grounds and landscaping, and can lead and supervise the work of our groundskeeping team. Our current opportunities are for one (1) Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Lead (GNSS 3) and for one (1) Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Supervisor (GNSS 4).

As the Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Lead (GNSS 3), you will perform and lead all assigned personnel in a variety of skilled duties to maintain safe, clean, and attractive grounds on the WSU Vancouver campus. You duties include but are not limited to: turf maintenance, plant bedding installation and maintenance, tree planting, pruning and removal, trail, walkway and road surface maintenance, irrigation system operation, maintenance, repair and snow and ice control operations, operation of equipment and tools.

As the Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Supervisor (GNSS 4), you are responsible for leading and supervising the WSU Vancouver Grounds maintenance team. You will perform, assign, instruct and check the work of other grounds personnel and service providers in a variety of skilled duties in landscape construction and grounds maintenance to maintain safe, clean and attractive grounds on the WSU Vancouver campus.

You identify best practices to accomplish this mission. You will also take steps to mitigate the operation’s effect on the environment. Your duties include but are not limited to: turf maintenance, plant bedding installation and maintenance, tree planting, pruning and removal, trail, walkway and road surface maintenance, irrigation system operation, maintenance, repair and snow and ice control operations, stormwater system maintenance. You may serve as a subject matter expert with coworkers or representing the University to vendors serving the University.

Grounds Lead and Grounds Supervisor essential duties include:

• Landscaping Maintenance

• Walkway Maintenance

• Equipment Operation and Maintenance

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• Leadership

• Safety

• Other duties as assigned

The Grounds Lead and Grounds Supervisor positions are full-time (100% FTE), permanent positions. Both positions are overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Lead (GNSS 3): $3,417 to $4,542, Step A - M I Range 38.

Monthly Salary Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Supervisor (GNSS 4) $3,581 to $4,771, Step A-M | Range 40.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

​Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Lead (GNSS 3):

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least two (2) years of experience working with youth, gardening, or in grounds maintenance; OR equivalent education/experience.

• Demonstrated experience working with equipment required for grounds maintenance activities; variety of hand and motorized tools, such as: pruners, loppers, shovels, rakes, hoes, mowers, tractors, blowers, edgers, litter picker, chainsaw, trimmers, string trimmer and sprayers.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, and occasional weekends as needed and work in all weather conditions.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire, a valid Washington State Pesticide Applicators License.

• Ability to work collaboratively across work groups in order to deliver positive outcomes.

Required Qualifications Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Supervisor (GNSS 4):

• High school diploma or equivalent, or higher education.

• Two to three years of experience in gardening, plant care, landscape construction and grounds maintenance OR equivalent education/experience.

• One year of lead or supervisory experience.

• Demonstrated experience working with equipment required for grounds maintenance activities; variety of hand and motorized tools, such as: pruners, loppers, shovels, rakes, hoes, mowers, tractors, blowers, edgers, litter picker, chainsaw, trimmers, string trimmer and sprayers.

• Ability to work in all weather conditions typically starting early mornings, with occasional overtime opportunities evenings, and weekends.

• Must have, or ability to obtain at the time of hire, a valid Washington driver’s license.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire, a valid Washington State Pesticide Applicators License.

• Ability to work collaboratively across work groups to deliver positive outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Lead (GNSS 3):

• Ability to work collaboratively across work groups in order to deliver positive outcomes.

• Demonstrated experience with computers working with Microsoft Office suite and computerized irrigation software programs.

• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

• Completion of WSU Master Gardener Program.

Preferred Qualifications Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist Supervisor (GNSS 4):

• Demonstrated experience with computers working with Microsoft Office suite and computerized irrigation software programs.

• A professionally recognized certification in grounds maintenance (National Association for Landscape Professionals, Professional Grounds Maintenance Society, International Society of Arboriculture, etc.)

• Completion of WSU Master Gardener Program.

About WSU Vancouver's Campus:

WSU Vancouver campus is set within 350 acres of manicured, semi-manicured and natural grounds consisting of turf, forest, pollinator habitat, hardscape and six miles of Cougar Trails in a Salmon Safe habitat. First impressions of the grounds contribute to the successful enrollment of students, employment of faculty and staff, and the attitudes of visitors and donors. Creating a quality environment for learning and working is the mission of our groundskeeping staff.

The WSU Vancouver Grounds team is part of the multifaceted Facilities Operations team, and the overall Finance and Operations division. We invite you to learn more about us by checking out our website:
WSU Vancouver Webpage

WSU Vancouver Facilities Operations Webpage

WSU Vancouver Finance and Operations Webpage

Area/College: Washington State University Vancouver
Department Name: Facilities Operations
Location: 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, Washington

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements. 

1) Resume

2) Cover Letter

External candidates: upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates): before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Professional reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.