FACILITIES SERVICES
Job Description
Facilities Maintenance & Construction
Gardener Lead
Job Code: 8539 – Contract Classified
Department Introduction:
Facilities Maintenance and Facilities Construction are responsible for general maintenance, repair, alterations, and
renovations of all campus facilities including building interiors, exteriors, and grounds.
Job Purpose:
Under general supervision, perform specialized grounds duties requiring the skill and knowledge of cultivation and
maintenance of trees, lawns and ornamental plants.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Grounds Maintenance Program Execution:
 Perform and lead personnel in the skilled work of the development and care of the campus landscaped grounds
 Perform specialized grounds duties requiring the skill and knowledge of maintaining trees, turf and ornamental
plants
 Utilizing available computer applications to plan and prepare work assignments for the gardeners, utility workers
and temporary employees based on campus landscape maintenance standards, including raking and removing
leaves and litter from the grounds and removing snow and ice from assigned pathways and stairs during
inclement weather events
 Maintain plants through accepted horticultural standards
 Grounds preparation for lawns, plants, trees and seasonal plantings
 Plant seeds, bulbs, shrubs, trees and ground covers
 Monitor and adjust irrigation systems and write work orders for irrigation repair
 Operate commercial motorized equipment such as automobiles and trucks - including dump trucks, high rangers,
forklifts, scissor-lifts, tractors, front-end loaders, mowers, tillers, sweepers and trailers
 Operate small engine equipment such as chain saws, string-line trimmers, sprayers and backpack blowers
 Use a variety of hand implements and tools
 Operate vehicles to transport tools, equipment and personnel to various job sites
 Order supplies, equipment and tools required for projects
 Load and unload materials and supplies
 Inspect projects to ensure compliance with design, local standards and codes, and capture updated as-built
records to reflect actual field installation
 Perform duties of Gardener II
Organizational Leadership and Engagement:
 Positively support all management directives and the vision and values of Facilities Maintenance & Construction
(FMC)
 Actively promote the purpose and foundational values of the University of Washington and Facilities Services
policies and procedures and FMC protocols, i.e. Individual Accountability Protocols (IAP)
 Participate in and follow through with FMC process improvement initiatives (Balanced Scorecard, Lean, Ideas
Systems)
 Provide information for employee performance reviews to supervisor
 Participate in the recruitment process
 Communicate and collaborate with other Facilities Services shops and other business partners such as Capital
Projects and Engineering Services to facilitate work
Coordination:
 Work and coordinate with skilled trades as required to maintain campus buildings, utilities and grounds
 Keep supervisors informed of project status, work progress, required project materials and equipment
 With shop supervisor, develop weekly work schedules and priority projects
 Actively participate in meetings and trainings as scheduled
Compliance:
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Know and ensure that assigned personnel comply with occupational health and safety regulations specific to
performance of the work
This will include Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) instructions, Hazard Review Checklists (HRCs) and the use
of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required
Report all safety issues to the shop supervisor
Maintain professional knowledge of industry standards to ensure the best products and working conditions
Perform other duties as assigned
Regular and predictable attendance is required
Core Competencies:
 Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness
 Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively
 Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems
 Be responsible and accountable
 Use organizational skills and provide attention to details
 Maintain a positive, optimistic and success-oriented attitude
 Exercise professional demeanor, which includes being tactful and courteous
 Exhibit a professional work ethic
 Continuously promote a safe work environment
Required Skills, Experience and Knowledge:
 Physical ability to do required work AND two years of experience as a Gardener or equivalent work involving
grounds maintenance, plant care and landscape construction OR physical ability to do required work AND one
year of experience as stated above AND one year of college level training in botany, horticulture, forestry,
landscape, irrigation or allied field OR equivalent education/experience
 Washington State Public Pesticide Operator’s License or obtain license within 120 days of employment
 Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills and a proven ability to work successfully with people
at all levels throughout the organization and with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
 Able to maintain professional behavior and composure in a fast paced, dynamic, customer service-driven
environment
 Excellent problem-solving skills
 Able to anticipate and recognize problems, and develop and implement creative, cost-effective solutions
 Able to function within a complex regulatory environment
 Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret and apply standards, regulations, policies, and procedures
 Excellent organizational skills
 Able to work independently and successfully prioritize and coordinate multiple programs and assigned tasks
 Demonstrated flexibility to meet changing and unpredictable requirements
 Must possess strong personal integrity, trustworthiness, and professional work ethic
 Proven ability to lead by example in both performance and behavior and to hold employees accountable to
established expectations
 Demonstrated positive, optimistic, success-oriented attitude and ability to positively support the organization,
applicable policies, and management decisions
 Proven ability to take direction, meet expectations, and work cohesively as a member of a team
 Knowledge and practical experience with WISHA (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act) and OSHA
(Occupational Safety and Health Act) regulations
 Have knowledge and understand of safe work practices and policies
 Must be able to wear all proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required
 Must be able to follow written and/or verbal instructions and communicate in English regarding the use of
chemicals, supplies, and equipment; comply with safety policies and procedures
Desirable Skills, Experience and Knowledge:
 Demonstrated successful experience as a lead or supervisor
 Demonstrated proficiency with standard productivity software including Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent
products
 Demonstrated successful experience working with computerized maintenance management systems
 Certified as a Landscape Technician by the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP)
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Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional (WSNLA)
Conditions of Employment:
 Valid driver’s license recognized by the State of Washington
 Commercial Driver’s License may be required
 Regular and predictable attendance is required
 May be required to accept variable work shift
 Work may require access to confined spaces and heights using appropriate safety precautions
 Must be able to work in a smoke-free environment
 Ability to lift and move heavy materials is required
 Must be able to work outside under all weather conditions
 Must be able to be fitted for and wear a respirator on the job
 A tuberculosis (TB) test is required for work assignments in nonhuman primate areas and in the UW Medical
Center
 Approved footwear must be provided at the employee’s expense and worn on the job
 A satisfactory outcome from a criminal background verification will be required prior to hire
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