Gardening Specialist - Landscape and Nursery Operations - Facilities Management and Development

Job Summary

Under general supervision of Assistant Director, Landscape and Horticulture Services, this position will perform specialized gardening work on new and high visibility landscaped areas, and landscape plant production and nursery operations.

Department Summary

Facilities Management and Development (FMD), a unit within the Administration and Finance Division (AFD), is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and repair of university facilities, grounds, and infrastructure. FMD consists of four critical and interdependent support departments, including Customer & Business Services; Environmental Health & Safety; Facilities Planning & Capital Projects; and Facilities Operations. In support of the Cal Poly mission, the Facilities Management and Development department is committed to sustainability, responsible stewardship of natural resources, and promoting an inclusive culture that values individual and organizational integrity, civility, equity, and diversity.

Key Qualifications

• Partners with project managers, contractors, trades staff, and campus constituents to review landscape plans, select plant material, and provide quality assurance throughout campus landscape project planning and installation processes.
• Executes minor installations and renovations of landscape and turf areas using a variety of landscape maintenance equipment and hand tools.
• Performs regular maintenance and minor repairs on grounds equipment.
• Plan and coordinate workdays and provide direction to student assistants. Provide occasional direction to Grounds workers.
• Monitor plants, landscape beds, and turf areas for nutrient deficiencies and apply fertilizers as required.

Education and 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.

Licenses, Certificates, Credentials:

• Possession of a California Commercial Applicator Certificate (QAC/QAL) and possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $49,500 - $60,336 per year

Classification Range: $44,832 - $62,784 per year

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 22,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Solano County to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities, maritime and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit www.calpoly.edu.

Please watch the video linked here to learn more about the CSU system. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex