Grounds and Landscaping

• JOB NUMBER: 519036

• CLASSIFICATION: Maintenance Service Worker IV

• GRADE: Facilities Maintenance M4

• WORK TYPE: Crafts and Trades, On Campus

• ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT: University of Alaska Anchorage

• SCHOOL/BUSINESS UNIT: UAA VCAS Facilities & Campus Svcs

• LOCATION: Anchorage

• CATEGORIES: Facilities/Skilled Trades

Position Summary:

Do you have a love for the Alaskan outdoors and a desire to grow your skills as an equipment operator and green industry professional? Become the newest member of the UAA Grounds Department and help maintain a safe, clean and attractive campus for our community to enjoy. We’re filling a permanent, full-time, Local 6070 union-represented position with excellent benefits and perks including:  12 paid holidays per year as well as paid time off  Tuition waivers for yourself and family members  Affordable Medical, Dental and Vision Care coverage  An Employee assistance program and a free wellness program with financial incentives for participation  State of Alaska PERS retirement plan  On-the-job training and continuing education in horticulture, arboriculture, safety protocol and industry best practices.

Duties:

Landscape and Interiorscape Maintenance and Installation: grows, installs and maintains trees, shrubs, turf grass, annual and perennial flowers, interior plants and irrigation systems by proper application of horticulture and agriculture techniques. Representative duties include mowing, edging, watering, mulching, fertilization, irrigation, weed control, brush clearing, interior plant care, greenhouse operation, floral production-planning and growing, planting, landscape bed cultivation and cleanup, trash removal and other services common to the industry. Hardscape and signage maintenance: basic parking lot and roadway maintenance to include pothole repair, street sweeping and signage installation, change-out and repair. Spring clean-up operations: sweeping and power washing of debris from roads, lots and sidewalks may warrant frequent irregular hours. Equipment operation: ability to safely operate small, medium and heavy-duty landscape maintenance equipment. Must be able to visually inspect and listen to machines and equipment in order to confirm functionality or identify maintenance issues. Snow removal/ice control: performed by proper application of snow removal and ice control techniques including, but not limited to, operation of heavy and medium duty equipment such as loaders, Bobcats, and sanders; operation of light duty equipment such as plow trucks, Toolcat sanders, and tractors; manual labor including shoveling, sweeping, ice chipping and application of ice-melting compounds. Frequent irregular hours are required for snow removal and ice control. Miscellaneous: performance of housekeeping work including, but not limited to, emptying trash cans; moving outdoor furniture; setting flags; delivering and maintaining propane grills; cleaning equipment and shop areas; monitoring inventory and placing orders for parts and supplies as needed; and making purchases in accordance with established practices. Will be required to obtain and maintain (via annual recertification courses) HAZWOPER 24-hour certification and Underground Storage Tank Class C Operator training. Must be dependable, cooperative and able to work independently as well as interact positively with a diverse crew and campus community, providing assistance even when under pressure. This position instructs and trains seasonal laborers, students and volunteers in the performance of basic landscape maintenance tasks. Must be able to independently identify work projects and lead teams of 1-4 employees. Must be able to coordinate work across multiple Facilities departments as needed.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

 Ability to follow directions, be cooperative and respectful.
 Ability to self-motivate and take the initiative to complete tasks.
 Excellent time management skills; reporting to work promptly.
 Ability to work independently and also as a contributing team member.
 Effective verbal and written communication skills.
 Must have basic computer knowledge and skills.
 Ability to read, comprehend and apply information, such as: safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions,
procedure manuals.
 Customer service skills.
 Ability to be respectful and positive to effectively work with a diverse team, the University community and the
public is mandatory in order to be successful in this position.
 Ability to lead and provide clear instruction to seasonal laborers, students and volunteers in the performance of
landscape maintenance tasks.
 Must have the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions,
and procedure manuals.
 Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume.
 Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

A preferred candidate will have basic knowledge of horticultural principles and demonstrated knowledge and experience
in a commercial setting with all types of landscape and hardscape maintenance including, but not limited to:
o Turf-grass and irrigation system maintenance;
o Greenhouse operation and ornamental flower production;
o Tree, shrub and flower bed maintenance;
o Basic pest identification and eradication in accordance with integrated pest management standards;
o Interior plant care;
o Heavy, medium and light duty equipment usage;
o Hand and power tool usage;
o Snow removal/ice-control;
o Experience or interest in leading educational tours.

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience which clearly demonstrates the skills and abilities necessary to accomplish the essential functions of the job.

REQUIRED EDUCATION OR TRAINING:

1. Two-year degree or certification in a related field; OR six years of multi-trade experience and/or a combination of education and experience which clearly demonstrates the skills and abilities necessary to accomplish the essential functions of the job.
2. Required to obtain a valid Alaska DEC commercial pesticide applicator’s license (Category 4) within 12 months of hire.
3. Driving Requirements:
a. Applicant must possess a current, valid Alaska Driver’s License or have the ability to obtain an Alaska Driver’s License per State
regulations.
b. Must have an excellent driving record which meets the University Category 1 Driver criteria:
https://www.alaska.edu/risksafety/download/TransportationSafety.pdfalaska.edu
c. The ability to pass the University Safe Driver Training criteria modules.
d. If selected for interview, applicant must provide a copy of their current DMV driving record (no older than 30-days) to the
interviewing supervisor.

Minimum starting pay $20.86 per hour.

We are currently recruiting for two positions. 

Review of applications will take place on Friday, August 5, 2022.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized for unrestricted employment in the United States. No work visas will be sponsored for this position.

Union Representation:

This position is represented by the Alaska Higher Education Crafts & Trades Employees (L6070).

L6070- Probationary Period:

Pursuant to Article 1.5 of the Local 6070 Collective Bargaining Agreement, upon initial hire Local 6070 Bargaining Unit Members are probationary for the first six (6) months of work.  During the probationary period, employment may be terminated for no reason or any reason.  

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

Affirmative Action Statement:

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

Background Check:

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Public Disclosure Statement:

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

University of Alaska is a Drug-Free Workplace.

University of Alaska campuses are Tobacco-Free. 

Training Policy:

It is the policy of the University of Alaska (UA) that all employees are required to complete training to meet the requirements of the positions they hold, and to complete the required training within a specified period to remain employed at the UA.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact University of Alaska HR at 907-450-8200