Horticulture Technician

Job No: 498445
Work Type:
Staff Full-Time

Location:

Denver, CO

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.

• Lay sod, plant new shrubs, trees, and flowers.
• Operate equipment to spray, fertilize and aerate lawn areas.
• Operate power lawn mowers and tractors for cutting grass.
• Operate trucks, tractors, and other machinery in the routine care of all grounds.
• Operate truck, hand cart, dolly, hand truck, forklift, and other equipment for moving and setup of equipment on all university properties.
• Picks up, collects, and removes litter and debris from all ground areas.
• Picks up material ordered by Physical Plant when not delivered by common carrier.
• Remove snow by power equipment or shovel from parking lots, sidewalks, exterior stairs, ramps, and terraces.
• Rototills, spades, rakes, weeds, and fertilizes flower‑planting beds.
• Trim and/or prune hedges, shrubs, and trees.
• Trim grass by power edger‑trimmer.
• Water lawn and planted areas by hand or sprinkler systems.
• Move various equipment, supplies, and furniture manually or by use of a truck.
• Perform minor repairs, lubricate and sharpen equipment. Report complex repair needs to supervisor.
• Make minor repairs to parking lots.
• Install signs.
• Remove trees.
• Perform landscape installation.
• Drive to sites with tools and equipment.

• Ability to follow detailed procedures and oral and written instructions. Respond quickly to situations requiring immediate attention and daily priorities that are established.
• Possess knowledge of standardized work routines and the ability to follow or give oral and written instructions involving multiple tasks.
• Operate equipment such as backhoe, skid loader, dump truck, bucked truck, tractor and snowplow. Read and interpret landscape drawings from blueprints.
• Report to work early in the morning, weekends, and holidays for snow removal.
• Provide own transportation to and from work.
• Basic computer skills. Knowledgeable in 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.
• Thorough knowledge of all types of landscaping material, plants, trees, flowers.

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Four years of experience in grounds horticulture, landscaping, or grounds maintenance.
• Current State of Colorado chemical applicator license. Must possess one of the following:
  Landscape Industry Certificate (LIC) in at least one of the five given categories (softscape installation, hardscape installation, turf maintenance, ornamental maintenance, irrigation), certified arborist, or Master Gardener 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.

• BA in Biology and/or Botany.

• Regularly works outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles.
• 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.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

• Moderate to strenuous physical effort required.
• Must be able to withstand long periods of bending, crouching, sitting, standing, reaching, and repetitive motions with the hand‑wrist and elbow‑shoulder.
• 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: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.