Job Description

Gardener
$17.00/hr
Full Time

This position is responsible for the maintenance of grounds and landscaping. Employees in this class perform a variety of tasks, including the planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials and bulbs, plant propagation, application of herbicides and pesticides, and tree and shrub pruning. Employees in this class also support the overall groundskeeping operation of the University including grounds maintenance tasks such as; snow removal, athletic field maintenance, and litter and trash removal. Overtime work will be required for snow removal and for Special Events including but not limited to the WIAA State Track Meet. The normal work schedule for this position will be Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This position reports to the Grounds Services Manager.

This is a full-time position with expected continuous employment and includes a State of Wisconsin benefits package.

NOTE: Work schedule and hours are subject to change based on departmental needs.

Required Qualifications:

• The ability to hold and maintain a valid driver’s license meeting the criteria for driving a state vehicle.


• Individuals must have or have the ability to obtain State of Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator License Category 3.0 Turf and Landscape within 6 month of hire and must maintain certification throughout employment.


• Ability to grasp, lift and/or carry tools, equipment or supplies, up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.


• Physically be able to work in various positions, i.e. with arms above your head for periods of time; bending, twisting, crawling, squatting, climbing, stooping or kneeling; on scaffolding, ladders or stairs; standing, sitting or walking, while continuously performing job functions.


• Physically be able to work in various environments without adverse physical reaction, e.g.; within extreme temperature ranges; in hot, noisy, dirty or dust-filled areas; at heights above 30 feet, etc.


• Ability to wear protective equipment, i.e. respirator, breathing apparatus, hearing, or eye protection, etc.


• Knowledge of safe, efficient operation of heavy equipment.


• Ability to identify different varieties of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs.
  Ability to work overtime hours for snow removal or for other special events as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates degree or professional certification in a directly related field.


• Knowledge of preventative maintenance of heavy equipment.


• Ability to safely operate equipment in areas with high levels of pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle activity.


• Knowledge of essential job functions and ability to safely perform the duties with minimal supervision.


• Knowledge or ability to learn relevant software and/or computer languages in order to operate preventive maintenance, work order, time reporting and inventory control programs.


• Ability to communicate effectively orally or in writing, using the English language, in various situations, i.e. face to face, via phone or two-way radio, correspondence, taking messages, email, etc.


• Ability to comply with all University of Wisconsin Systems work place expectations including safe work practices.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to grasp, lift and/or carry tools, equipment or supplies, up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.


• Physically be able to work in various positions, i.e. with arms above your head for periods of time; bending, twisting, crawling, squatting, climbing, stooping or kneeling; on scaffolding, ladders or stairs; standing, sitting or walking, while continuously performing job functions.

Reasonable Accommodations
UWL provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

All position descriptions are required to provide physical demands and working conditions/environment and may not be published in the job announcement. For information on the physical demands and/or working conditions/environment for this position, please contact Human Resources.

Information about Benefits:

Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university.
Highlights include:

• paid vacation for 12-month positions.


• excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage.


• paid holidays and sick days.


• after 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career.


• benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation.

Benefit eligibility is determined at point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

Application deadlines
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’.  Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC & Reference Check Policy
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources

For a full description click apply.

Civil Rights and Compliance Statement
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring faculty and staff that are qualified and broadly trained. UWL, in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is committed to fostering an environment that embraces inclusive excellence and equitable treatment of all parties. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or protected veteran status. Inclusive excellence is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community.

Salary/Compensation: $17.00 per hour

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University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Holiday work, Full time, Local area, Visa sponsorship, Work visa, H1b, Flexible hours, Monday to Friday,

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