Job Description:

• Prepares and grades terrain, applies fertilizers/herbicides/pesticides; seeds and sods lawns, plans lawns, flower beds and border landscaping and trims shrubs.

• Assists grounds construction crews and special project crews in grading and otherwise preparing sites for and pouring concrete, erecting fences and other structures.

• May operate light equipment while preparing sites and fertilizing lawns.

• Mows and trims lawns and other grassy areas.

• Seasonal operation of light equipment for snow removal from streets, parking lots, walkways, porches and steps.

• Uses tools and operates light equipment such as shovels, rakes, hoes, garden rakes, brooms, blowers, push mowers, weed ships and sidewalk edgers.

• Operates power grounds equipment and tools such as compressors, hand sprayers, jack hammers, post-hole augers, leaf vacuums and sandblasters.

• Checks fuels, oils, coolants and other fluid levels of tools.

• Trains and oversees work of the M-3.3 Gardener, M-2.5 Groundskeeper and student employees.

Short Job Description:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Valid state driver's license.

• Post-secondary degree in horticulture, soil science, turf management, botany, forestry or another agriscience, or four (4) years proven leadership role in landscape maintenance.

• Valid Michigan commercial pesticide applicator's license for applying pesticides in the right-of-way (category 6), ornamental (category 3a) and turf (category 3b), or reciprocally honored licenses.

• Ability to read and comprehend written instructions and safety regulations regarding the performance of job duties, and must be able to understand and comply with verbal instructions, perform basic math, and be proficient in basic computer operation and use.

• Ability to identify and have knowledge of the growth habits of common plants found in southwest lower Michigan.

• Considerable knowledge of landscape maintenance practices, principles and techniques.

• Ability to raise 50 pounds of dead weight to a height of 36 inches, move 30 pound items to a distance of 300 yards as often as 50 times per day.

• Ability to descend to/rise from a kneeling position as often as 150 times per day, or work at ground level for 2 hours at a time for entire shift.

• Ability to tolerate exposure to extreme temperatures from -25 to 130 degrees.

• Ability to tolerate exposure to outdoor debris and chemicals as well as prolonged exposure to sunlight.

• Ability to work different shifts depending on the weather-related duties.

Job Ref: S107P

Job Reply URL: 265

About Western Michigan University

One of the top-100 public universities in the United States, Western Michigan University is committed to being learner centered, discovery driven and globally engaged. Founded in 1903, what was once Western Michigan College became Michigan's fourth public university in 1957. Since then, WMU has undergone dramatic growth in size and stature. Today, the University offers more than 240 academic programs to students pursuing degrees through the doctoral level. More than 20 percent of its 25,000 students are enrolled in graduate course work, studying in disciplines ranging from atomic physics and graph theory to medieval literature and blind rehabilitation. Of 101 graduate offerings available, 30 lead to a doctoral degree.

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