Landscape Technician (37.5 Hour) (WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY)

Introduction

\r\nWestern Connecticut State University (WCSU) is a constituent unit of the Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR), Connecticut State Colleges and Universities.� As one of the State of Connecticut institutions of higher learning, this university offers undergraduate and graduate programs that weave together liberal arts and professional education and instill a desire for life-long learning.�\r\n\r\nWe are recruiting for four (4) full-time Landscape Technician positions, located in Danbury, CT.� �\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPOSITIONS REQUIRMENTS:��\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Full-time, 37.5 hours per week\r\n First Shift\r\n Work Shift:� Tuesday - Saturday, 6:00am - 2:00pm\r\n Eligible candidates in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.\r\n A medical exam, drug screen, and criminal background check will be required prior to offer of employment.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Grounds team manages all landscaping activities at both Midtown and Westside campuses (inclusive of all athletic fields), and supports all student events and activities.� This department participates in snow removal of walkways, roadways and parking garages.� The Grounds team also maintains the Ives Concert Park grounds and the Westside Nature Preserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nABOUT THE ROLE:�\r\nThese positions will be responsible for grounds and athletic field maintenance, including snow removal operations on the Midtown and Westside campuses of Western Connecticut State University.� Candidates must be prepared to work in various conditions and will be required to work during inclement weather.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\n\r\nCheck out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.��\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. �\r\n Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.�\r\n Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.�\r\n Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.�\r\n Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. �Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing hrpositions@wcsu.edu�(Opens in a New Window).�\r\n Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.�\r\n\r\n\r\n Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”\r\n Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).���\r\n Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!�\r\n Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Sarah Davin at hrpositions@wcsu.edu�(Opens in a New Window).�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

At the University of Connecticut, Western Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University and UConn Health this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of landscaping tasks to beautify and maintain the visual appearance of the campuses and/or regional campuses.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n Prepares, installs and maintains decorative landscaping features to include flowers, plants, shrubs, ornamental grasses, trees, waterscapes, lighting and decorative and synthetic or natural materials in formal gardens, plant containers, borders and island beds;\r\n Hauls materials, fills, grades and slopes work sites;\r\n Pulls weeds, mulches, repairs drip lines, waters and fertilizes;\r\n Installs and maintains turf by seeding or siding, repairing, mowing and fertilizing;\r\n Clears brush, debris and leaves from lawns and catch basins;\r\n Installs, maintains and regulates irrigation systems;\r\n Installs and maintains recreational sports fields;\r\n Operates and maintains various large and small power and construction equipment including bucket/boom truck, front loader, backhoes, bulldozers, forklifts, tractors, dump trucks of five (5) ton or greater capacity, plow and pickup trucks and trailers, street sweepers, leaf vacuums, wood chippers, mowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers and chain saws;\r\n Maintains and repairs small gas engine power equipment and large equipment to include, but not limited to, oil and spark plug change, blade sharpening, tire change or repair, fluid change and battery replacement;\r\n Uses and maintains various hand tools;\r\n Assists with the set up and dismantling of, but not limited to, plantings, fences, chairs, tents, bleachers and tables for special events;\r\n Installs and maintains fences, bollards and signage campus wide;\r\n Installs, maintains and repairs asphalt pavement and other materials on travelled surfaces;\r\n Performs pre-treatment and snow and ice removal;\r\n Assists arborists with tree pruning or felling operations;\r\n Maintains orderliness and efficiency of landscape work sheds and surrounding areas;\r\n Removes trash and changes bins daily;\r\n May apply pesticides under direct supervision;\r\n May paint poles and other structures within the landscape;\r\n May travel to work at regional campuses;\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Knowledge of\r\n \r\n various plants used in landscape features;\r\n proper care of plants for sustainment;\r\n turf grass management practices;\r\n pesticides and application methods and techniques;\r\n \r\n \r\n Skills\r\n \r\n interpersonal skills;\r\n oral and written communications skills;\r\n \r\n \r\n Ability to\r\n \r\n operate, maintain and repair hand tools;\r\n operate, maintain and repair small gas engines;\r\n operate maintain and repair large power equipment;\r\n operate, maintain and repair heavy construction and commercial landscaping equipment and vehicles;\r\n use personal protective equipment;\r\n follow written and oral instructions;\r\n utilize computer software.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience in landscape maintenance including the operation, maintenance and repair of small and large power/motor equipment and heavy construction and/or commercial equipment and vehicles used in landscaping.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must include plant selection and installation, pruning, fertilization and seeding of turf grasses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

For state employees two (2) years of landscaping experience at the level of Maintainer may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate in their application:\r\n\r\n\r\n Experience in a large-scale service industry;\r\n Experience in Ggounds, sports fields maintenance, and Snow Removal, including plant selection and installation, pruning, fertilization and seeding of turf grasses;\r\n Demonstrated use of technical & communicative skills;\r\n Professional certifications such as Property Maintenance and Management;\r\n Previous experience at a college or university-like setting;\r\n Demonstrated knowledge of horticulture.\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.\r\n Incumbents in this class must be available to work as needed for emergency or snow removal duties.\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications.\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.\r\n\r\n

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties of the class.\r\n A physical examination may be required.\r\n\r\n

WORKING CONDITIONS

\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, significant levels of dust and noise and risk of injury from equipment.\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to use personal protective equipment.\r\n\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.� As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.\r\n