Job Description:

• Prepares and grades terrain; applies fertilizers/herbicides/pesticides; seeds and sods lawns; and transplants flowers, shrubs and plants.
• Plans lawns, flower beds, and border landscaping; plants and cultivates new and repairs established lawns, trims shrubs, and cultivates flower beds and gardens.
• Installs major plantings and applies chemical herbicides/pesticides to designated areas.
• Sprays trees and shrubs; tests and evaluates soils; and applies supplemental liquid and dry nutrients to lawns, shrubs and other plantings.
• Assists grounds construction crews and special project crews in grading and otherwise preparing sites for and pouring concrete, erecting fences, removing and replacing damaged or deteriorated walkways and other features, erecting retaining walls and other structures, and construction functions and landscaping.
• Provides manual labor required to maintain grounds, trees, shrubs, flower beds, other plantings, landscape forms and vehicle and pedestrian access ways throughout the University.
• During winter months, the incumbent may be required to operate light equipment for removing snow from streets, parking lots, and walkways, porches, steps and other structures.
• Sets up indoor and outdoor facilities for University events, including graduations and athletic contests, and assist landscape grounds tradespersons in installing, repairing, replacing, and maintaining fences, retaining walls, trash receptacles and landscape forms.
• Utilizes pointed and flat shovels, hoes, rakes and other small hand tools. Employs garden rakes, leaf rakes, brooms and other implements.
• Operates hand-held and lo-blow push blowers, push mowers, self-propelled walk-behind mowers weed whips, sidewalk edgers, ride-on mowers and cultivator, and uses lawn sweepers. Operates power grounds equipment and tools including compressors, hand sprayers, jackhammers, post-hole augers, leaf vacuums and sandblasters.
• Operates skid steers and tractors with attachments .
• Must wear MIOSHA-approved safety shoes at all times and must wear a hard hat and safety glasses when operating power equipment as required by MIOSHA rules.
• Ear plugs are required when operating tools/equipment producing noise levels exceeding MIOSHA standards.
• Must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating tools and equipment.
• Must wear no loose-fitting clothing which might pose a hazard to incumbent's safety.
• Performs additional duties as requested by supervisor.

Short Job Description:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Post-secondary degree in horticulture, soil science, turf management, botany, forestry or another agriscience, or four (4) years proven leadership role in landscape maintenance.
• Possess four (4) years proven landscape maintenance experience.
• A valid Michigan commercial pesticide applicator's license for applying pesticides in the right-of-way (category 6), turf (category 3a), ornamental (category 3b).
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license or a commercial driver's license Class B (w/air brakes) or better.
• 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 oral instructions, perform basic math, and be proficient in basic computer operation and use.
• Sufficient writing ability.
• Familiar with basic irrigation operation, maintenance and repair, and assist irrigation specialist as needed to run campus irrigation.
• Knowledge of, and experience in soil and plant tissue analysis and treatment for modification.
• Ability to transport and operate tools and equipment; manipulate tools, equipment, landscape materials, and plantings; and remove trash and debris from ground level up to waist height and above.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job
• Completion of a physical examination required by state and federal laws and administered by the employer's designated physician is required.

Job Ref: S525P

Job Reply URL: 1713

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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