Gardener Lead, Mow Crew

UW Facilities Maintenance & Construction is seeking a Gardener Lead for the Mow Crew, based at the University of Washington Seattle campus. This is a full-time, on-site position.

About the role

Perform and lead personnel in specialized grounds duties requiring skill and knowledge of cultivation, maintenance of trees, lawns, and ornamental plants.

Schedule

Full time, Monday through Friday, 05:55 am – 02:25 pm or 06:55 am – 03:25 pm.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform specialized grounds duties, including cultivation and maintenance of trees, lawns, and ornamental plants following accepted horticultural standards.
• Maintain plants by raking and removing leaves, litter, snow, and ice from assigned pathways and stairs during inclement weather.
• Monitor and adjust irrigation systems; write work orders for irrigation repair.
• Inspect projects to ensure compliance with design, local standards, and codes; capture updated as-built records.
• Operate commercial motorized equipment such as automobiles, trucks (including dump trucks), high rangers, forklifts, scissor-lifts, tractors, front-end loaders, mowers, tillers, sweepers, and trailers.
• Perform Gardener 2 duties as needed to meet production demands and service campus clients.
• Provide input for employee performance reviews to supervisors.
• Participate in and follow through with process improvement initiatives, including Balanced Scorecard (BSC), Lean principles, and employee engagement in continuous improvements.
• Promote and maintain a safe work environment.
• Keep supervisors informed of project status, work progress, required materials, and equipment.
• Coordinate with skilled trades to maintain campus buildings, utilities, and grounds.
• Assist in developing weekly work schedules and priority projects with the shop supervisor.
• Provide input on timecard accuracy and ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations, including SDS instructions, Hazard Review Checklists (HRCs), and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Maintain professional knowledge of industry standards to ensure cost-effective procurement.
• Other duties as required.

Core Competencies

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Positive, optimistic, and success-oriented attitude.
• Professionalism, including tact and courtesy.

Requirements

• Physical ability to perform required work.
• Two years of experience as a Gardener or equivalent work in grounds maintenance, plant care, and landscape construction, or one year of such experience plus one year of college-level training in botany, horticulture, forestry, landscape, irrigation, or allied field.
• Demonstrated experience working with computerized maintenance management systems.
• Demonstrated experience as a lead or supervisor.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to follow written and/or verbal instructions and communicate in English regarding chemicals, supplies, and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education and experience in turfgrass maintenance.
• Experience operating aeration, topdressing, and other turf restoration equipment.
• Certification as a Landscape Technician by the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP).
• Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional (WSNLA).
• Strong personal integrity, trustworthiness, and professional work ethic; ability to lead by example and hold employees accountable.
• Proven ability to take direction, meet expectations, and work cohesively as a team member.
• Knowledge and practical experience with WISHA and OSHA regulations.

Working Conditions

• Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability to lift and move heavy materials.
• Work may require access to confined spaces and heights using appropriate safety precautions.
• Must be able to be fitted for and wear a respirator on the job.
• Must be able to work in a non-smoking environment.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

About the Team

UW Facilities (UWF) manages the University’s buildings, infrastructure, and land with over 1,100 employees. Maintenance & Construction (M&C) is responsible for general maintenance, repair, and renovations of all UW main campus facilities, including building interiors, exteriors, and grounds, as well as logistics, moving, and disposal of surplus equipment and furniture.

Pay

Annual pay range: $50,736.00 – $68,052.00.

Benefits

For information about benefits for this position, visit UW Staff Benefits.