STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Landscape Technician (37.5 Hour)

Recruitment #240206-9060TC-001

Introduction

We are recruiting for one (1) Landscape Technician position to work on our beautiful campus, located in Willimantic, CT, Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) is one of the State of Connecticut institutions of higher learning and the state's designated public liberal arts university.  Our mission is to provide high quality undergraduate and select graduate programs to a diverse population of talented students.

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings.
  • Sick and personal leave.
  • We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
Discover the opportunity to: 
  • To work for a Forbes top company: Forbes State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
  • Engage in a rewarding career.
  • Assist our employees so they can achieve success.
  • Make a difference in the public sector.
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment.
Position Highlights: 
  • Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
  • Monday - Friday, 7:00am-3:00pm
  • This position is responsible for maintenance of the University grounds which include snow removal, events and the athletic fields.
About the Role:
This specialized trade position is critical to the Grounds Department.  The individual in this role will be part of a team that is responsible for maintenance of the University grounds, which include snow removal, events and the athletic fields.

NOTE:  Preference may be given to current BOR/CSCU employees and/or current State of CT employees.

Selection Plan

For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.

NOTE: In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to HR-Recruitment@easternct.edu.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. Should you have questions pertaining to any phase of this recruitment, please contact the hiring agency's human resources office: LaShawn McBride, HR-Recruitment@easternct.edu, (860) 465-5220.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

At the University of Connecticut, Western Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut Health Center, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of landscaping tasks to beautify and maintain the visual appearance of the campuses and/or regional campuses.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Prepares, installs and maintains decorative landscaping features to include flowers, plants, shrubs, ornamental grasses, trees, waterscapes, lighting and decorative and synthetic or natural materials in formal gardens, plant containers, borders and island beds; hauls materials, fills, grades and slopes work sites; pulls weeds, mulches, repairs drip lines, waters and fertilizes; installs and maintains turf by seeding or siding, repairing, mowing and fertilizing; clears brush, debris and leaves from lawns and catch basins; installs, maintains and regulates irrigation systems; installs and maintains recreational sports fields; operates and maintains various large and small power and construction equipment including bucket/boom truck, front loader, backhoes, bulldozers, forklifts, tractors, dump trucks of five (5) ton or greater capacity, plow and pickup trucks and trailers, street sweepers, leaf vacuums, wood chippers, mowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers and chain saws; maintains and repairs small gas engine power equipment and large equipment to include, but not limited to, oil and spark plug change, blade sharpening, tire change or repair, fluid change and battery replacement; uses and maintains various hand tools; assists with the set up and dismantling of, but not limited to, plantings, fences, chairs, tents, bleachers and tables for special events; installs and maintains fences, bollards and signage campus wide; installs, maintains and repairs asphalt pavement and other materials on travelled surfaces; performs pre-treatment and snow and ice removal; assists arborists with tree pruning or felling operations; maintains orderliness and efficiency of landscape work sheds and surrounding areas; removes trash and changes bins daily; may apply pesticides under direct supervision; may paint poles and other structures within the landscape; may travel to work at regional campuses; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of various plants used in landscape features; knowledge of proper care of plants for sustainment; basic knowledge of turf grass management practices; some basic knowledge of pesticides and application methods and techniques; interpersonal skills; oral and written communications skills; ability to operate, maintain and repair hand tools; ability to operate, maintain and repair small gas engines; ability to operate maintain and repair large power equipment; ability to operate, maintain and repair heavy construction and commercial landscaping equipment and vehicles; ability to use personal protective equipment; ability to follow written and oral instructions; some ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience in landscape maintenance including the operation, maintenance and repair of small and large power/motor equipment and heavy construction and/or commercial equipment and vehicles used in landscaping.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must include plant selection and installation, pruning, fertilization and seeding of turf grasses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

For State Employees, two (2) years of landscaping experience at or above the level of Maintainer may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate in their application:
1) Experience in a large-scale service industry; 
2) Experience in Grounds, Sports Fields Maintenance, and Snow Removal, including plant selection and installation, pruning, fertilization and seeding of turf grasses; 
3) Demonstrated use of technical and communicative skills; 
4) Professional Certifications such as Property Maintenance and Management; 
5) Experience in a college or university setting; 
6) Demonstrated experience in the area of horticulture.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
3. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
4. Incumbents in this class must be available to work as needed for emergency or snow removal duties.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties of the class.
2. A physical examination may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, significant levels of dust and noise and risk of injury from equipment.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to use personal protective equipment.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.