Gardener Lead
Madison, OH - USA
Job Summary
The Gardener Lead position is part of the Grounds Department within the Division of Facilities Planning & Management at UWMadison (FP&M). This role plays a key part in guiding and supporting crew members in the field helping ensure daily operations run smoothly. Responsibilities include overseeing inventory supporting equipment maintenance and leading larger-scale projects such as mulching. Given the wide range of tasks our Gardeners manage having a knowledgeable hands-on leader is essential to team success.
The Gardener Lead provides real-time support and training helping team members build skills work safely and consistently deliver high-quality results. This role is instrumental in fostering a positive productive work environment where employees feel confident in their abilities and take pride in their contributions.
Our goal is to set every Gardener up for success by providing the tools guidance and support needed to meet expectations and grow professionally. By strengthening safety practices on-the-job training and team stability the Gardener Lead helps create an environment where both individuals and the team can thrive.
This role involves regular physical activity including bending stooping kneeling and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
If you are a hands-on leader with strong landscape knowledge a commitment to safety and a passion for developing others we encourage you to apply and bring your skills to our team.
Ongoing/Renewable
Full-Time: 100% FTE
Hours generally scheduled Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm. Occasional nights weekends and holidays may be required for this position.
- Develops coordinates and executes spraying programs for fungicide pesticide and herbicide applications
- Maintains and evaluates hardscape maintenance
- Maintains inventory data for assigned area including tagging insect monitoring and planting and moving
- Oversees and organizes crew placement scheduling and mulch delivery during larger mulching projects
- Provides training to full-time and temporary personnel on safety procedures tool operation and preventive maintenance.
- Coordinates the planting sowing fertilization trimming watering and spraying of assigned areas
- Assists with overall landscape maintenance including vegetation control equipment use and pest management support.
- Performs all necessary snow removal duties in the winter
- Maintains inventory data on equipment and tools
- Coordinates the spacing of plants shrubs trees and ground cover to ensure proper growth
About our the Grounds department
Grounds is responsible for maintaining a safe sustainable and beautiful outdoor environment across 938-acre UW campus. Our team manages a wide range of tasks related to arboriculture horticulture hardscapes signage and snow removal.
In addition to caring for thousands of trees shrubs and perennials Grounds crews design and maintain multi-seasonal and signature floral displays. To support these efforts we operate a dedicated greenhouse that produces over 30000 annuals and perennials each year. Grounds is committed to sustainability continually working to reduce its ecological footprint through initiatives such as eco-friendly lawn care practices and road salt reduction
About the Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M):
The Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M) is a full-spectrum service organization that builds maintains and operates the physical environment of UW-Madison in the universitys education research and outreach activities. We are responsible for everything from the building projects that change the face of campus to the flowers that beautify the grounds.
Find out more about our Division: minimum rate for this position is $26.00/hr but it is negotiable based on experience skills and qualifications.
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous paid time off competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance tax-advantaged savings accounts and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.
For a summary of benefits please see below for more information: University Staff : 2026 Benefits Summary-University Staff
Minimum of 2 years of related groundskeeping or horticultural experience
Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively within a team
Ability to obtain a CDL Class B license with air brakes and tanker endorsement within 6 months of hire
Drivers License Required - Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards
Ability to obtain a pesticide applicators license within 6 months of hire
Requires trapper education course and certification within six months of hire.
Availability for snow removal and overtime work as needed
Experience guiding and mentoring team members to help them learn grow and succeed
High School Diploma or Equivalent -Preferred
To begin the application process go to the Apply Now section of the job posting.
Please note there is only one attachment field. You must upload all of your documents in the attachment field either as one combined document or separate documents.
We are eager to learn more about how your experience may align with this position!
The following is required for your application to be considered complete:
Acover letterdescribing how your experience relates to the listed required and preferred job qualifications.
Aresumedetailing your educational and professional background
The search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify selected applicants to participate further in the selection process directly.
This position requires obtaining a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) within six months of hire. UWMadison conducts drug and alcohol testing for positions that require a CDL and the performance of safetysensitive functions. Candidates who receive an offer for this position will be required to successfully complete a drug and alcohol screen once they have obtained their CDL and before performing any safetysensitive duties. Employees in this role are also subject to ongoing random drug and alcohol testing for the duration of their employment
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States a lawful permanent resident a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
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