Grounds Nursery II @ UNC 3/2026
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Grounds Nursery II @ UNC 3/2026
Salary
$46,128.00 Annually
Location
Greeley, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
C01703
Department
University of Northern Colorado
Division
Finance and Administration
Opening Date
03/04/2026
Closing Date
3/18/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
UNC, Greeley, CO 80639
Department Contact Information
UNC, Human Resources, Greeley, CO 80639 / Phone: 970-351-2829
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Description
Benefits
Department Information
The University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, Colorado, population over 100,000, an hour's drive north of Denver, and within driving distance of the Rocky Mountains. UNC has an enrollment of over 12,000 students who attend classes on the 250-acre campus, and is large enough to provide true University opportunities, and small enough to treat students and employees as individuals. State classified employee benefits include medical, dental, life, flexible spending, PERA retirement, and tuition waiver for employees.
Description of Job
ALL RELATED JOB EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION MUST BE INCLUDED IN YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS AND NO INFERENCES WILL BE MADE. PLEASE BE DETAILED WITH YOUR APPLICATION.
Job Summary
The Grounds Maintenance Work Unit is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor environment across the university campus. This includes the care of lawns, gardens, trees, athletic fields, walkways, and outdoor common areas. The unit supports the university's mission by ensuring that campus grounds enhance the student experience, promote environmental sustainability, and reflect institutional pride and professionalism.
This position has a working title ofNaturalized Landscape Maintenance Technician performing a combination of specialized naturalized/native landscape care and traditional landscape maintenance in the campus environment. This position plays a key role in maintaining naturalized areas, lawns, gardens, and campus hardscapes while also supporting turf-conversion projects, native plant establishment, and water-conservation initiatives. The role collaborates closely with the Spray Technician, Irrigation Technician, and other team members to implement both routine and advanced, sustainable grounds practices in a safe and efficient manner.
Job Responsibilities
Landscape Construction & Maintenance
Performs duties that include planting of grass (seed and sod), shrubs, trees, annuals, and perennials; pruning of woody and herbaceous plant materials; seasonal maintenance of naturalized and formal landscapes; monitoring irrigation operations, and campus turf care in assigned work zone. General landscape maintenance including mechanical and manual weed removal, cleanup of limbs, leaf, graffiti and trash removal, parking lot, curb and gutter maintenance. Coordinate landscape renovation or repair projects with internal team members. Projects may include installation of edging, planting beds, rock, mulch, dry stacked walls, site furnishing installation, fencing, irrigation installation. Work collaboratively with student seasonal and University Aides organizing and guiding work efforts. Support campus events and contractors on as needed basis.
Work lead will help to coordinate larger construction activities when assigned by grounds manager. Role will include identifying resources, coordinating, and scheduling work and performing as a subject matter resource for others when needed.
Turf Maintenance
Performs turf mowing activities with various commercial mowing equipment to include push, ride on and pulled mowing equipment and trimmers. Relevant turf care activities: edging, aeration, top dressing, fertilization, chemical application and monitoring of plant condition. Required to coordinate small area chemical and fertilizer application and documentation with licensed chemical applicator.
Supports irrigation needs in turf areas by monitoring zone performance, conducting basic coverage tests, and identifying underperforming or malfunctioning irrigation components. Performs minor irrigation maintenance such as adjusting heads, repairing lateral lines and valves, unclogging emitters, and replacing drip components. Assists the irrigation technician with controller programming, system installations, and large-scale repairs as needed. Makes temporary irrigation adjustments in response to campus events or weather conditions. Contributes to water conservation efforts by identifying runoff issues or overwatering and reporting concerns to supervisors or the irrigation team. Work lead will help to identify maintenance practices that negatively impact naturalized health, working with the grounds manager to strategize practices to improve operations.
Tree Care Shrub Maintenance
Performs routine care and maintenance of campus trees, shrubs, and woody plant material. Tasks include structural pruning of young trees, thinning of shrubs and ornamental species, removal of dead or damaged limbs, and monitoring for signs of disease or insect infestation. Assists with planting, staking, mulching, and watering of new trees and shrubs. Operates chainsaws, pole saws, and hand tools in accordance with safety standards. May assist arborist or supervisor with larger removals, risk assessments, or storm clean-up. Supports the university's goals for long-term canopy health, landscape safety, and sustainable plant care. Work Lead will provide guidance related to maintenance practices specific to native and naturalized plant materials, coordinating larger scale pruning and trimming activities and monitoring results.
Equipment Operation & Snow/Ice Control
Operates a range of motorized and manual landscape equipment including mowers, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, utility vehicles, snow blowers, and spreaders. Occasionally heavier equipment such as skid steers, tractors, backhoes, or aerial lifts. Responds to weather events and performs snow removal on campus walkways, ADA paths, parking lots, and access routes using manual and mechanized methods. Adjusts snow removal strategies based on storm conditions and surface @types. Follows all safety procedures and uses appropriate PPE when operating equipment or working in hazardous conditions.
Irrigation Operation and Maintenance
Monitors zone watering needs, perform coverage tests and assist irrigation technician with programming/scheduling. Monitors performance and effectiveness of irrigation in assigned zone and report large scale problems to irrigation technician or manager. Trouble shoots and repairs broken heads, lateral lines, and drip systems. Assists irrigation technician with main line repairs, system installs and renovations. Suspends system operation on as needed basis for special events and activities. Performs field locates of mainline and lateral irrigation systems for special events and construction activities.
Work Lead will proactively identify irrigation issues that impact plant health and campus landscape providing feedback to assigned zone gardeners when plant health is in decline.
Pesticide/Fertilize Application
Performs the application of fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides commonly used in landscape maintenance under consultation of licensed spray technician. Utilizes hand sprayer, cyclone spreader, and utility vehicle mount spreaders. Documents all applications daily via established written and mapped standard practices. Comply with product labels and PPE requirements.
Work Lead helps to coordinate equipment when needed and ensure application completion.
NOTE:Valid Driver's License
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Residency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
Class Code & Classification Description:
D8E2XXGROUNDS AND NURSERY II (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4enHpLSVk4eSUtYVlNKR0wxcTg/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-NTUoi1eVJm2qC0bb3z1kVg)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience Only:
Two (2) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with native and drought-tolerant landscaping.
Experience working alongside specialized staff such as spray technicians and irrigation technicians.
Training or coursework in horticulture, landscape ecology, irrigation technology, or natural resources.
Familiarity with irrigation scheduling, water-efficient practices, or BMPs in landscape care.
Experience operating commercial landscape machinery.
Associate degree or certificate in horticulture, natural resources, landscape technology, or similar fields.
Appeal Rights: (Updated)
An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.
As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.
Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department's action.
For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules .
Supplemental Information
Supplemental Information
Important note:Applications are part of the selection process and will be reviewed by a Human Resource professional to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job announcement. Clearly document in the "Work Experience" and "Education" sections on your application any and all specialized work experience, skills, education, and accomplishments that relate to the position duties and minimum qualifications. No inferences will be made regarding your education or experience, only what is stated and provided in your application materials will be used to evaluate your qualifications. We will offer a salary that is commensurate with the experience of the selected candidate.
Conditions for Employment: All potential University of Northern Colorado employees may be subject to successful completion of a background check, motor vehicle record review, physical, and/or a drug test.
Required Notice: In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern ColoradoAnnual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report (http://www.unco.edu/police/clery/security-report.aspx) is available online and a paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.
DPA/DHR Notice: The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The University of Northern Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resources Office, Cindy Tomlinson, at cindy.tomlinson@unco.edu or call 970-351-2829.
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
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Website
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