Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist 3 - INTERNAL ONLY

Full Job Description

NOTE:
This recruitment is for internal DES employees only. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.

The Buildings & Grounds Division (B&G) is responsible for the Capitol Campus and Department of Enterprise Services (DES) managed building operations, stewardship, and historic preservation. B&G provides service to over 42 agencies, maintains, operates and preserves the 486-acre state Capitol Campus in Olympia, including more than 28 buildings, 18 public monuments, over 6,000 parking stalls, four state parks and a 260-acre lake. B&G executes these responsibilities through the following service programs: Facilities Operations, Grounds Operations, Leadership and Admin, Maintenance & Repairs, Support Services (Custodial).

About the Opportunity:
As a Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist 3, you will play a vital part in preserving the beauty and safety of the Capitol Campus and other key locations throughout Thurston County. As a core member of the grounds crew, you will perform comprehensive care and maintenance, ranging from detailed landscaping to essential parking lot upkeep. You will be responsible for operating a wide variety of tools and machinery, including hand and power equipment as well as large-scale truck mowers. Safety is a top priority in this position; you will be expected to consistently follow established safety protocols and wear required gear, such as safety vests, to ensure a secure environment for yourself and the public.

Requirements

Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:

• Perform expert seeding, mowing, irrigation, and fertilization to maintain healthy lawn areas.
• Plan and plant shrub and flower beds, including the diagnosis and treatment of plant diseases and pests.
• Safely operate a diverse range of power tools and machinery, including weed eaters, chainsaws, and rototillers.
• Drive and manage large-scale equipment such as light tractors, front-end loaders, street sweepers, and snowplows.
• Execute both landscape and hardscape construction projects to enhance and maintain assigned campus grounds.
• Perform parking lot maintenance, cleaning, and road repairs.
• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of paid experience as a gardener, landscaper or grounds keeper; or completion of a two (2) -year vocational training course in Landscape Horticulture.
• Possess a current driver's license.
• Ability to move and transport fifty (50) lbs.
• Ability to stand for four (4) or more hours.
• Commitment to obtain and maintain a Pesticide Operators License from the Department of Agriculture within six (6) months of employment.
• Commitment to obtain and maintain a Flagger certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Participation in the DES Respiratory Protection Program.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies
Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies:

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization, or community.
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to read, interpret, and retain information from plans, specifications, and written materials.
• Ability to organize multiple assignments to produce work products that are accurate, complete, and on time.
• Ability to work independently with little or no on-site supervisory direction.
• Understand and follow applicable laws, regulations, and other standards to establish and/or maintain a safe workplace.

Additional Information

How to Apply: Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions. Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into The Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Union Inclusion: This position is in a bargaining unit and falls under the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the state of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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