Horticulture Tech

Position Summary

Under general supervision of the Grounds Foreman and / or Assistant Grounds Foreman, this position performs skilled or technical types of work associated with the Maintenance of lawns, fertilization, irrigation, trees, shrubs and flower beds and is expected to supervise other grounds personnel as assigned.

Essential Functions

In addition to following the University of Denver’s policies and procedures, principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

• Lay sod, plant new shrubs, trees, and flowers.
• Operates equipment to spray, fertilize and aerate lawn areas.
• Operates power lawn mowers and tractors for cutting grass.
• Operates trucks, tractors, and other machinery in the routine care of all grounds.
• Operates truck, hand cart, dolly, hand truck, forklift, and other equipment in the moving and setup of equipment on all university properties.
• Picks up, collects, removes litter and debris from all ground areas.
• Picks up material ordered by Physical Plant when not delivered by common carrier.
• Removes snow by power equipment or shovel from parking lots, sidewalks, exterior stairs, ramps, and terraces.
• Rototills, spades, rakes, weeds, and fertilizes flower-planting beds.
• Trims and / or prunes hedges, shrubs, and trees.
• Trim grass with a power edger-trimmer.
• Waters lawn and planted areas by hand or sprinkler systems.
• Moves various equipment, supplies, and furniture manually or by use of a truck.
• Performs minor repairs, lubricates and sharpens equipment. Reports complex repair needs to supervisor.
• Makes minor repairs to parking lots.
• Installs signs.
• Removes trees.
• Performs landscape installation.
• Drives to sites with tools and equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to follow detailed procedures and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to respond to situations requiring immediate attention and to daily priorities that are established.
• Must possess knowledge of standardized work routines and the ability to follow or give oral and or written instructions involving multiple tasks.
• Ability to operate equipment such as backhoe, skid loader, dump truck, bucked truck, tractor and snowplow.
• Must be able to read and interpret landscape drawings from blueprints.
• Must be able to report to work early in the morning, weekends, and holidays for snow removal.
• Must provide own transportation to and from work.
• Basic computer skills. Knowledgeable working with Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Familiar working with Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software, including WebTMA.
• Thorough knowledge of all types of landscaping equipment is necessary.
• Thorough Knowledge of all types of landscaping material, plants, trees, flowers is necessary.

Required Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Four years experience in grounds horticulture, landscaping, or grounds maintenance is required.
• Current State of Colorado chemical applicator's license is required.
• Must possess one of the following : a Landscape Industry Certificate (LIC) in at least one of the 5 given categories (softscape installation, hardscape installation, turf maintenance, ornamental maintenance, irrigation), certified arborist, or Master Gardener's certificate.
• Valid Colorado Driver's License and insurable by the University of Denver's insurance carrier.
• Pass a pre-employment physical exam, and lift 100 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

BA in Biology and / or Botany

Working Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions.
• The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles.
• The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and / or humid conditions, toxic and caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Physical Activities

• Moderate to strenuous physical effort required.
• Worker must be able to withstand long periods of time bending, couching, sitting, standing, reaching and repetitive motions with the hand-wrist and elbow-shoulder.
• The employee must be able to work outside in all types of weather and lift, move and carry objects in excess of 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Schedule

The University’s administrative offices are open Monday - Friday, 8 : 00 - 4 : 30 Work schedule may vary.

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted on an on-going basis.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number :

The salary grade for the position is 06.

Hourly Range :

The hourly rate for the position is $

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting.

The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits :

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass.

The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.