Senior Landscape Tech – Plant Health Care Full-time

Senior Landscape Tech – Plant Health Care

This is a tech position that requires knowledge of plant health care practices and the use of pesticides to maintain campus landscapes. You'll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you're the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you'll like working in our department and for UT Austin. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

Provide additional needed skilled labor in the landscape maintenance of East Campus zones.

• Provides quality customer service while performing general landscape grounds duties and work associated with the care and maintenance of University grounds and landscaped areas. Plans and executes small scale landscaping operations.
• Perform plant health care activities such as using a Back Pack, larger sprayers, and other equipment to apply fertilizers, herbicides, and other products and amendments to the landscape; serve as the primary Spray Tech for East Campus; supply and implement integrated pest management techniques to benefit the grounds and landscape on campus.
• Safely and proficiently operates all landscape equipment/machinery and tools assigned or used by the hiring department. Makes minor repairs and performs routine service and preventative maintenance to landscape equipment and tools.
• Drives University owned light and/or medium-duty trucks and trailers in the transport and delivery of crew members, equipment, tools, materials, and supplies to or from work sites.
• Assists landscape supervisor with directing and checking the work of crew personnel, and in the safe use and proper care of equipment and tools. Leads crew in the absence of landscape supervisor.
• Follows established safety procedures. Maintains the shop areas, work sites, equipment and tools in a safe and orderly fashion.
• Attends shop and departmental meetings. Attends required safety training sessions or classes. Completes and submits accurate daily labor and weekly time reports.
• Purchase supplies and materials in accordance with the University procedures and policies. Performs other related functions, marginal or incidental, to support organizational goals and objectives.
• Other related duties will be assigned, including working with other departments within University Operations and throughout The University of Texas System.
• Ability to pull, push, and lift up to 50 lbs. including shoveling gravel and aggregates. Adheres to and performs related functions as assigned, and works overtime in support of special events, emergencies, and planned after hours work.

High school graduation or GED. 3 years of experience in landscape maintenance and repair or operation of commercial-sized landscape equipment, including riding mowers. Have a good understanding of the principals and practices of horticulture with experience performing plant health care activities. Obtain TDA pesticide applicator license within 12 months of hire. Demonstrate effective communication skills and ability to effectively work in a team environment. Class “C” Operator's Driver's License. Applicant selected must provide a current three year Driving Record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, must obtain a Texas Driver's License within 30 days after entering Texas as a new resident.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

More than High School or GED. More than 3 years of landscape maintenance experience. Currently holds a TDA applicators license. Supervisory experience in landscape maintenance; experience with landscape construction including plant installation, hardscape, and irrigation. Completion of coursework, certifications, or training in equipment operations, maintenance, and plant health care. Technical training in landscaping or horticulture. Working knowledge of Texas native plant material, turf grass care, and organic landscape practices and materials. Prior work on a higher education campus.

This job requires a class “C” operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

$43,680 + depending on qualifications

• Uniform or PPE
• All weather conditions
• Extreme temperatures
• Chemical fumes
• Standard office
• Biohazards/chemicals
• Electrical/mechanical
• Keyboard
• Manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs and ladders
• Lifting and moving

40 hours, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In-person 100%.

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest