Technical Specialist II Horticulture Assistant

General Summary: Performs technical work related to horticulture work in the campus landscape including planning for the display of and monitoring the planting and maintenance of flowers, flowering shrubs, annual plants and perennial plants. Works under the supervision of the Head of Grounds Services who provides guidance on policies and procedures.

Examples of Duties:

• Prepares plans for and participates in the planting and display of flowers (annuals and perennials) and plants, including formal gardens to ensure the beautification of the campus landscape.
• Oversees and participates in the planting and maintenance of flowers (annuals and perennials) and plants.
• Determines and advises the Grounds personnel of the best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating and harvesting to increase the quality.
• Operates multi-purpose vehicles with large, complex attachments, including edgers, sod cutters, riding mowers, tractor-mounted flails/brush hogs, hydraulic tree spades, tractor-mounted spreaders/sprayers, and high-speed chipper grinders.
• Switches and installs attachments such as mowers, plow blades, forks, leaf catcher buckets, and vacuum cleaners to tractors, trucks, and other multi-purpose vehicles in order to equip vehicles for grass cutting, roadway cleaning, snow removal, and other grounds operations.
• Identifies repair and replacement needs by observing and evaluating equipment, sprinkler systems, parking areas, fields, and various grounds and landscape areas.
• Ensures that adequate materials are available to complete assignments in a timely manner by requesting materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Attends meetings and trainings in order to receive and/or convey information.
• Identifies and troubleshoots problems related to plants, shrubs, turf, and trees.
• Trims, prunes, cuts, and/or plants flowers, bushes, and trees as part of grounds keeping activities.
• Seeds, waters, weeds, and/or fertilizes lawns, flower beds, shrubs, etc.
• Sprays lawns, flower beds, and shrubs with fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.
• Assists in designing flower beds and planning plant placement for grounds beautification.
• Cuts lawns using hand mower or power mower.
• Uses string trimmers and edgers for lawn maintenance.
• Performs related duties, such as emptying rubbish barrels, sweeping walks, picking up litter, cleaning ditches, drains and catch basins on grounds or roadways, shoveling snow, and raking leaves.
• Operates lawn and grounds equipment such as power saws, power brooms, backpack blowers, and bucket loaders and other similar power equipment for landscape maintenance.
• Operates light trucks to transport tools and equipment and to travel to the work site and uses light to moderate heavy equipment to move soil, dig holes, relocate trees, and re-sod lawns for landscape maintenance.
• Performs snow removal operations by operating light trucks, snow blowers, power shovels, shovels, etc.
• Operates small bucket truck or person lift to hang banners from roadway or sidewalk light poles.
• Supports campus events (Commencement, Founder’s Day, Move-in) and approved student activities as needed.
• Uses hand tools for raking, pruning, and weeding.
• Ensures tools are maintained and stored properly.
• Uses power washer in the removal of graffiti from sidewalks and other landscape elements.
• Daily works with student interns to ensure they meet the requirements of their internship.
• Assists in the ordering and purchasing of plant material to be grown in the landscape greenhouse for future planting on campus.
• Assists in the design and layout of new planting beds, renovation of existing planting beds, and event and specialty arrangements.
• Checks soil conditions to determine nutrient and moisture requirements and to detect and identify germ and pest infestation.
• Monitors use of irrigation system by performing test runs to provide preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Maintains updated copies of Material Safety Data Sheets on all chemicals used.
• May assist in the application of herbicide as needed on university-owned land.
• Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods and under varying climate conditions.
• Performs job responsibilities in an environmentally compliant and responsible manner reflective of Grounds Department policies, procedures, and goals related to environmental compliance and stewardship.
• Operates motor vehicles to travel on Campus to perform landscaping and other similar work.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must have 5 years of full-time or equivalent part-time horticulture experience, including the planning and planting of displays.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to pesticide storage, use and disposal.
• Ability to work outdoors under exposure to all types of weather conditions and work under exposure to the hazards of chemical substances such as pesticides.
• Knowledge of the principles, safety practices and techniques of horticulture.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of materials and equipment used in horticulture.
• Knowledge of the terminology and standard abbreviations used in horticulture.
• Knowledge of the varieties and uses of flowers (annuals and perennials).
• Knowledge of soils and conditions that foster growth of plants.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and the types and uses of fertilizers, germicides, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of horticulture data to draw conclusions, generate reports, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Knowledge of the use of computers with the ability to use word processing programs, spreadsheets and email software.
• Ability to follow and provide oral and written instructions.
• Excellent leadership, customer service, and record keeping skills.
• Massachusetts Hoisting License.
• Preferred Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator’s License or ability to obtain license.
• Class D Driver’s License required at time of hire.
• Massachusetts Pesticide Bureau Certification State Code 41.

Application Instructions: Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional work references. Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

This is a non-exempt union position. All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources. UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the ADA/504 Coordinator Andrea Haas or 617-287-5148.