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Groundskeeper Manager, University Center

Employer
University of Montana
Location
Montana, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Dec 2, 2020

Job Details



The University Center Administration invites applications for a Groundskeeper Manager to join their team. Reporting to the Building Services Director, the UC Gardens Manager has the responsibility for the creative development, effective implementation, and outcome assessment of the UC Gardens. The person assigned to this position is expected to actively participate in departmental activities, including fiscal and strategic planning, staff meetings and recognition activities, professional development, and other departmental initiatives. The individual assigned to this position supervises student employees, community and student volunteers, and interns; this is a working supervisor position with autonomy under limited supervision; integrates the vision for the UC garden programs into the UC and UM missions and visions.

  • Administers the University Center Gardens: responsible for the design, purchasing, installation, and care of expansive tropical plantings in the University Center atrium and foyers; all University Center exterior beds and lawns and all office plants in the University Center
  • Plan, organize and promote the UC Gardens as an educational resource: Partnering with professors in teaching classes, making presentations to professional organizations, and conducting educational tours of the gardens
  • Develop long-term plans to achieve healthy and vital gardens and improve the UC educational and environmental ambiance, promoting knowledge and appreciation of biological complexities
  • Understands and manages the ecology of interior botanic gardens: researches and designs botanic collections by using different soils, lighting, irrigation, and nutrients to a greater variety.
  • May contract with other departments across campus to perform plant maintenance in their facilities, which includes design, cost estimates, installation, and complete plant care
  • Develops and manages a budget, purchases all supplies and equipment, and is accountable for budgetary accountability for the UC Gardens
  • Supervises part time-temporary employees, student workers, and volunteers by planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating activities
  • Works with departments to develop internship opportunities and coordinates the work of the interns
  • Serves as a member of the State of Montana Arboretum Committee
  • Maintains excellent public relations in a high-profile position by responding to questions from the public and departments, conducting educational tours, committee work, and interacting with UC Business Partners
  • Promotes sustainability and recycling through existing composting programs
  • Is licensed or able to be licensed as a pesticide operator using the IPM program for insect and other pest control to ensure healthy plant specimens using non-toxic means whenever possible


Post-Training Expectations:

  • Knowledge and experience to care for 200+ different species of plants in the UC gardens
  • Ability to continually evaluate proper plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, natural settings, plant and care schedules, and plant/soil conditions
  • Diagnose and treat plant problems such as diseases, weeds, and insect pests
  • Able to design and implement an Integrated Pest Management program for the UC
  • Able to obtain a pesticide operator license and apply pesticides and fertilizers to plants
  • Able to submit work orders for repairs and verify repairs to irrigation and other equipment are completed correctly and timely
  • Develop and manage yearly budgets, meeting or underspending budget at year-end by responsibly selecting and purchasing seeds, plant nutrients, disease control chemicals, garden, and lawn care equipment with university supplied credit card.
  • Hire student employees, and train them in gardening techniques and following safety protocols and policies; assign work schedules, duties, and supervise their work
  • Knowledge of payroll, timekeeping, purchasing, credit card, and other university business systems
  • Knowledge of University of Montana and University Center policies and procedures
  • Illustrate a general knowledge of all functional areas within the UC
  • Ability to make public and technical presentations
  • Write donation receipts and letters of appreciation for donations


Required Skills
  • Extensive knowledge of the needs of a wide variety of common and unusual plants including tropical, subtropical, temperate, indigenous species; caring for plants in various artificial environments;
  • Knowledge of soils, mulches, nutrients, pruning, and propagation to insure proper plant health
  • Working knowledge of landscape design, techniques, and implementation including interior and exterior irrigation designs and operations
  • Knowledge of and ability to access various sources of information; foster contacts with experts in various related fields and organize this information in a proficient manner
  • Knowledge of botanical taxonomy
  • Strong knowledge in Biology - background of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment, including plant and insect life cycles.
  • Knowledge of the principals of Integrated Pest Management and ability to apply chemical and biological control agents through the IPM program; ability to become licensed as a pesticide operator within 6 months of hire
  • Knowledge of composting facility design and operation
  • Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills; relationship building skills; and the ability to adapt quickly to the ever-changing needs of all of the garden areas
  • Able to perform all aspects of personnel management - hiring, training, assigning, inspecting, giving positive or constructive feedback, evaluating, disciplining, and terminating student and temporary staff
  • Effective and friendly communication and customer service skills
  • Ability to present information in an interesting, clear, and informative manner
  • Ability to interact effectively, work productively and professionally with all UC staff, business partners, students, administrators, faculty, staff, local and state officials, and the general public
  • Able to operate gas and electric powered equipment such as scissor-lift mobile aerial work platform, chain saw, lawnmower, chipper/shredder, and trimmers
  • Able to dig, cut roots, prune and plant/transplant seedlings, cuttings, plants, and trees; move containerized shrubs, plants, and trees, using wheelbarrows or pallet jacks; haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil
  • Ability to operate a desktop computer and utilize Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, and conduct queries/searches using internet tools


Physical Requirements

(Qualified candidates must be able to meet minimum requirements and perform the primary functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.)

  • Lifting: Floor to knuckle height, 75#. 12 inches to 40 inches, 75#. Floor to 60 inches, 50#. Floor to 48 inches, 60#. Floor to overhead, 5# sustained, with both hands.
  • Carrying: 2 handed front carry 75# for 10 feet.
  • Pushing and pulling forces required
  • Pushing and pulling forces required: up to 60# sustained at waist level.
  • Static trunk forward bending and twisting from a standing, crouching or kneeling position while using tools.
  • Reaching with your arms in all directions, including overhead with 5# in both hands, sustained.
  • Working overhead from various positions (standing, squatting, and kneeling).
  • Balancing when climbing and working on 6- and 10- and 12-foot ladders.
  • Use of various hand grip circumferences and firm hand grip positions while manipulating various tools and equipment (maximum 50#).


Physical Screen will be administered prior to a final offer of employment.

Minimum Required Experience
  • High School diploma and at least 5 years of relevant professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience


Preferred Qualifications
  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees in Botanical, Biological, or Environmental Sciences, or related fields
  • Extensive experience in the care of tropical (indoor) plants


About the University Center and UM

UM University Center:

The University Center is the heart of The University of Montana. It is a gathering place with an atmosphere that is welcoming, full of activity, and alive with diversity.

As a bridge between formal classroom learning and life experience, activities coordinated by the University Center work in harmony with the mission of the University. It provides opportunities to develop leadership skills while enhancing an appreciation for responsibility through active student involvement and employment.

The University Center serves the university community by providing information resources; a variety of quality, convenient services; a multitude of cultural programs; educational and entertaining events; and recreational and leisure activities; while offering a place for free expression and creative ideas

University Center Garden:

Maintain and establish when needed, a diverse living collection of plantings that fosters public education, student instruction, environmental awareness, and produces an attractive, inviting atmosphere.

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “ top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000 ” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “ The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014 . Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life . Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.



To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.



Position Details

Position Title: Groundskeeper Manager

Position Number: 158070

Department: UC Administration

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year.

Salary: $21.00/hrCurrent employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation: None

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Tuesday , December 8, 2020 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by the ‘Priority Application Date’ will be guaranteed consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Candidates are required to submit the following materials online.

A complete application Includes:

  1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
  2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience
  3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular

Company

University of Montana.

At UM, we approach everything with creativity because that’s what this evolving world needs. We are stewards of this place, its history and our future. We are driving forward together, affecting change that is right for our place and people. We know of no better place than Montana and its university to make a lasting impact on the common good.

As Montana’s flagship university, we set a high bar for academic studies, creative accomplishments and scientific exploration which benefit our students, our community and the world at large.

The University draws a diverse, global population to Missoula – our home and the state’s second-largest city with about 80,000 residents – and helps cultivate an educated, engaged and vibrant community. Our students receive a world-class education in a broad range of subjects that include the arts, sciences, trades, graduate and postdoctoral study and professional training.

Our main campus, nestled in the heart of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, spans 56 acres at the base of Mount Sentinel and along the Clark Fork River, and includes the park-like Oval at the center of campus, more than 60 architecturally unique buildings and a 25,200-seat football stadium. UM's 180-acre South Campus offers student housing, a golf course, soccer fields and an outdoor track facility. Missoula College occupies two sites, one just across the river from the main campus, and one on the southwest side of Missoula.

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