Gardening Specialist

Working Title: Gardening Specialist

Classification Title: Gardening Specialist

Posting Details

Priority Application Date (Posting will remain open until filled):Thursday March 20 2025 at 11:55pm PST

Please note: As of March 6 2025 this position has been reposted and is under active recruitment. Apply today! (Prior applicants need not re-apply.)

Hiring Preference

Eligible on-campus applicants in California State University Employees Union (CSUEU) Bargaining Units 257 and 9 will be given first consideration in the recruitment.

Position Summary

Under general supervision of the Manager of Grounds and Landscape Services the Gardening Specialist performs a combination of specialized work in an assigned area which encompasses irrigation repair and maintenance work pest and weed control tree maintenance athletic turf maintenance and maintenance of gardening power equipment. The incumbent will also make recommendations for the planning and development of special planting areas including soil amendments irrigation and plant selection.

FLSA:Non-Exempt (Eligible for overtime compensation)

Anticipated Hiring Range:$3907 per month - $4920 per month

CSU Classification Salary Range:$3907 per month - $6375 per month

Best-in-class Benefits: Click here to learn more

CSU Total Compensation: Click here to learn more

Salary Grade/Range:1

Recruitment Type:Regular (Probationary)

Time Base:Full-Time

Pay Plan:12 months

Work Hours:Monday - Friday 6:00am - 2:30pm. Position works on-site.

Department Information

Grounds and Landscaping Services is responsible for maintaining 170 landscaped acres and over 3000 trees. We also have responsibility for maintaining walkways and parking improvements. Grounds and Landscape Services trims irrigates cleans fertilizes provides pest control and renovates campus site improvements that encompass:

• Over 3000 trees comprising 250 species
• 93 acres of lawn/turf
• 16 acres of shrubs and ground cover
• More than 21 miles of campus walkways
• 60 acres of parking lots
• 25 acres of undeveloped space
• Irrigation systems comprising 5 well pumps 7 zone controllers 750 valves and 12000 sprinklers heads

Please visit our website for additional information: Qualifications

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of the methods plants tools and equipment used in planting cultivating and caring for flowers shrubs lawns and trees. General knowledge of the composition and structure of soil Ph factors of soils compatibility and incompatibility factors between soil and plants difference between plant mixes and erosion control.

Abilities:

Ability to identify diagnose and treat plant disease and correct plant nutrient deficiencies; prepare freehand sketches and make recommendations for possible improvements in landscaping within the assigned area; read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position; and follow oral and written instructions.

Experience:

Two years of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or general grounds one year of which shall have been in either the maintenance repair or modification of irrigation systems specialized pest and/or spray control work or cultivation and care of nursery plants.

License:

Possession of the appropriate California Department of Pesticide Regulation license to perform pest control work. Some positions may require possession of a valid California drivers license.

RequiredQualifications

Experience:

1. Experience performing specialized pest and/or spray control work (e.g. weeds fungi).

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of installation and programming automatic irrigation controllers.
2. Thorough knowledge of athletic and general turf maintenance.

Skills/Abilities:

1. Ability to perform standard and specialized pruning of trees shrubs and other plants as needed.
2. Ability to perform maintenance repair or modification of irrigation systems.
3. Ability to operate and perform maintenance on small power-operated power mowers small riding mowers and other gardening power equipment.
4. Effective communication skills.
5. Effective interpersonal skills.
6. Excellent customer service skills.
7. Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a diverse environment.
8. Ability to use computerized maintenance systems.
9. Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents including faculty students staff and members of the community.

License/Certificate:

1. Must have or obtain Current Qualified Applicators Certificate (QAC) for pest and weed control related to landscape maintenance within twelve months of hiring date.
2. Possession of a valid drivers license and good driving record.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to frequently lift and carry gardening equipment up to 50 lbs.

Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to pass a background check.

PreferredQualifications

16. Ability to provide lead work direction to students Groundworkers or individuals in other grounds classifications.

17. Ability to provide advice and assistance to others regarding proper care of flowers and ornamental plants pruning athletic field maintenance and other technical skills.

18. Experience establishing and maintaining preventative maintenance programs using computerized systems.

Required Licenses/Certifications (2)

• Must have or obtain Current Qualified Applicators Certificate (QAC) for pest and weed control related to landscape maintenance within twelve months of hiring date.
• Possession of a valid drivers license and good driving record.

Documents Needed to Apply

• Resume
• Cover
• Copy of Required License
• Copy of Required Certification (if applicable)

Failure to upload these documents to the online application may result in disqualification. Three professional references are required as part of the online application.

About Sacramento State

Sacramento State is located in the heart of Californias capital city five miles from State Capitol. The lush 300-acre campus is situated along the American River close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento also known as the Farm-to-Fork Capital is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State proudly serves as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and is recognized by the California Legislative Assembly as a Black-Serving Institution. The university enrolls around 31000 students from the Greater Sacramento Region throughout California across the nation and around the world.Our 1800 faculty and 1500 staff are committed to meeting our mission:

As Californias capital university we transform lives by preparing students to lead serve and succeed. Sacramento State will be a welcoming caring and inclusive leader in education innovation and engagement. As the regional hub of higher education Sacramento State is dedicated to learning and student success; teaching research scholarship and creative activity; justice diversity equity and inclusion; resource development and sustainability; dedicated community engagement and wellness and safety.

As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty staff students and guests are welcome and valued. Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities life experiences and perspectives that enrich our community teaching and learning.

To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family please visit the Why Sac State page.

Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race color religion national origin age sex gender identity/expression sexual orientation pregnancy genetic information medical condition marital status veteran status or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.

It is the policy of California State University Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need a disability related reasonable accommodation as part of the application and/or interviewing process visit University is committed to creating an education and working environment free from discrimination sexual harassment sexual violence domestic violence dating violence and stalking. For more information on mandatory training for new employees visit Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Fire Safety Right-To-know Act Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements emergency preparedness and evacuation information crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request from the Office of Clery Compliance & Training by emailing .

Under the Clery Act this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance & Training as a CSA position you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

Background Check Disclaimer

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University Sacramento employees who apply for the position.

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Effective May 2023 per theCSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy it is strongly recommended that all California State University Sacramento employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age medical condition and other relevant indications.

Out of State Employment

Sacramento State University as part of the CSU system is a State of California Employer. As such the University requires all employees (up)on date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1 2022 theCSU Out-of-State Employment Policyprohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Eligibility Verification

Candidate must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. California State University Sacramento is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (ie. H-1-B Visa).

Note to Applicants:

Possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview unless required by collective bargaining agreement.