What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grounds and Nursery Spec 3 position at Pierce College District?
Position Summary
This position is open until filled.
Are you passionate about landscaping and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces?
Join Pierce College as a Grounds Services Specialist 3! In this role, you'll contribute to the upkeep of our campuses by performing skilled gardening work, managing landscapes, and maintaining exterior systems at both the Fort Steilacoom and Puyallup campuses. You’ll clean, operate, monitor, and repair both manual and motorized tools while occasionally leading teams of students and inmates in gardening tasks. Reporting to the District Grounds Services Manager, this position offers an exciting opportunity to help maintain the vibrant and welcoming environment of a nationally recognized community college.
About the District:
Named as a Top 5 Finalist and a Rising Star for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom was recognized for exceptional achievements in student learning, certificate, and degree completion while in community college and after transferring to a four-year institution, employment, and earnings rates after graduation, and access for and success of minority and low-income students. Pierce College District was named as a Top 10 finalist for the 2021 Aspen Prize and a Top 25 for 2023.
Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
Located on a beautiful 140-acre site adjacent to a 340-acre community, recreational park, and Waughop Lake.
Pierce College Puyallup
Located on an expansive site with 125-acres of wooded land with beautiful hideaways.
Pierce College at JBLM
Located at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military sites, serving many of our military and active-duty families serving our country.
Pierce College enjoys a strong presence in the community and participates in numerous partnerships with business, community, government, and educational organizations.
Want a feel for our District? Take a peek with aerial campus views!
Essential Functions
The Grounds Services Specialist will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:
Landscapes, Grounds and Vegetation
- Clean, monitor, maintain, repair, replace, install, modify, and fabricate lawns, fields, tree beds, shrubs, plants, and other landscaping elements at a skilled work level.
- Operate, clean, maintain, and repair manual, power, and motorized tools and equipment, ensuring they function properly for all gardening tasks.
- Maintain and repair fences, gates, signs, irrigation systems, and other exterior structures, fixtures, and equipment. This includes cleaning, monitoring, installing, and modifying as needed.
- At a skilled work level: clean, monitor, maintain, repair, replace, install, modify, construct, and/or fabricate parking lots, roads, drives, walkways, curbing, and various other exterior surfaces.
- Operate and maintain utility carts, forklifts, and various vehicles.
- Use two-way radios, cell phones, and computers for communication and work management.
- Remove snow and ice from walkways, building entrances, and parking lots.
- Respond to emergencies as needed and report suspicious activity.
- Maintain inventories and submit requisitions for tools, supplies, and equipment.
- Ensure the proper care and accountability of assigned keys, tools, equipment, and supplies.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education Required
- GED or High School Diploma
- 2 years experience in commercial grounds and landscape maintenance, including irrigation systems control maintenance/repairs, commercial landscape equipment operation, maintenance & basic service/repair (Utility vehicles, large mowers, edger, etc.).
- Experience using computers for sending/receiving emails, time reporting, leave requests, and training.
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The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background check
after a conditional offer of employment. - To operate college vehicles, you must pass the Pierce College driving test (completed on computer) within 30 days of employment.
- Valid driver's license.
- Must pass driver records check.
- Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work.
- Earns others’ trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism.
- Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals.
- Builds constructive working relationships characterized by high acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
- Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
- Adapts to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
- Maintains composure in stressful or adverse situations.
- Diligently attends to details and pursues quality in accomplishing tasks.
- Listens accurately and actively, as well as communicates clearly and effectively with individuals and groups.
- Ability to operate software programs such as MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, Megamation (maintenance work order system), and Time and Leave Reporting (TLR) software.
Application Process
Application Requirements:
To be considered for this position, applicants must:
- Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.
- Complete the online application profile at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr.
- Apply for the specific job opening.
- Upload (attach) detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)
- Upload (attach) a list of at least three professional references with names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)
Terms of Employment:
Pierce College is hiring for two (2) Grounds Grounds Services Specialist 3 positions. The full-time positions (40 hours per week) are classified as overtime-eligible with Pierce College District at either the Fort Steilacoom or Puyallup campus. The position is permanent after serving a 6-month probationary period. Occasional travel between Pierce College campuses or sites may occur. Work hours are between 6:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings, weekend work, and occasional travel as required. This position may be subject to reassignment between campuses or sites.
Salary & Benefits:
The starting salary of this position is $3,477.00 monthly, dependent upon qualifications, with periodic increments up to $4,194.00.00 monthly. This salary includes a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase of 3%, effective July 1, 2024. However, your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick, and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our Benefits and Leave website at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr- benefits
Physical Work Environment:
This position requires working outdoors, which requires visual concentration on detail, dexterity, and precision. It is also subject to frequent noise and interruptions.
Reasonable Accommodation:
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the District Human Resources Office by calling 253-964-7342. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.
Screening & Interview Process:
Only those candidates who have complied with the application process and meet the required qualifications will be considered. Following the review of application materials, the most qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Check the email account you used for the application process for communication regarding the status of your application. Application materials submitted to Pierce College are the property of the College and will not be returned.
Please note: This is a competitive selection process. Your application materials will be reviewed and evaluated based on the minimum qualifications listed for the position. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the District's needs will be eligible for further consideration.
Conditions of Employment:
Pierce College is a “fully vaccinated campus” under the state’s higher education guidance, which means that COVID-19 vaccination is highly encouraged for all employees and students.
Prior to the start of employment, finalist(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check 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.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law RCW 28B.112.080.
An offer of employment does not entail any responsibility or obligation on the part of the District to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.
Pierce College has adopted a Drug-Free Workplace policy. As a condition of employment, employees must agree to abide by the requirements established in that policy.
Bargaining Unit:
This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Washington Public Employee Association (WPEA).
Equal Opportunity:
The Pierce College District is an equal-opportunity employer. The Board of Trustees and Pierce College District are committed to providing equal opportunity and will not discriminate in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices. Decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal.
For more information about this position or assistance regarding your application, contact Human Resources at: jobs@pierce.ctc.edu
Questions regarding equal employment opportunities or discrimination may be directed to the following:
Sean Cooke - Title IX Coordinator
(253) 840-8472
Davi Kallman - ADACO/Section 504 Coordinator
(253) 912-3715
Deena Forsythe - Interim Vice President for Human Resources
(253) 964-6586
Paula Henson-Williams - District Affirmative Action Officer
(253) 864-3229
Salary : $3,477
