Gardener

The Promotional Priority Period for current Teamster applicants begins 4/1/26 and ends on 4/8/26.

This is a full-time, 12-month position starting at $28.67 per hour working in the Department of Facilities and Operations. This position reports to the Operations Supervisor. Must be willing to work holidays and overtime when necessary. This position is represented by the Teamsters Local 320 Bargaining Unit.

Position Responsibilities

This position performs grounds keeping and various gardening work on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus. (These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this work and do not limit the assignment of related responsibilities):

• Plants flowers, shrubs, trees, seeds, bulbs, and vegetables. Pricks out shoots. Transplants seedlings from the greenhouse to outside plots to pots.
• Trims, buds, grafts, prunes, and stakes trees, shrubs, and plants. Cultivates, hoes, rakes, spaces, and waters flowers, vegetables, and other plants. Emasculates and pollinates flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
• Prepares soil for special needs using prescribed methods and materials.
• Sprays plants periodically. Determines type of spray needed and mixes spraying solutions. Plans fumigating schedules and spraying procedures for maintaining greenhouse and gardens in healthy growing conditions.
• Picks ripe fruit and vegetables and crates those to be sold. Takes seeds out of vegetables and packages the seeds.
• Collects medicinal plants and dries them or prepares them for drying. Mills or grinds vegetable drugs.
• Controls greenhouse heat, ventilation, and humidity by opening and closing ventilators and regulating steam.
• Instructs and directs assistant gardeners and student workers in general gardening duties such as seeding, pricking out, potting, watering, fumigating, and spraying plants and in the care of soils and use of equipment. Gives students practical help in laboratory experiments on budding, grafting, and plant propagation.
• Mows lawns. Rakes grass and leaves. Trims and straightens up garden beds. Removes and disposes of dead plants. Winterizes trees. Plows snow.
• Operates riding mowers, skid steer loaders, edgers, chainsaws, litter lifts, snow plows and brushes. Weed whips, backpack blowers and other equipment used in grounds maintenance.
• Keeps records of information as required.
• Repairs, adjusts, and maintains gardening machinery and equipment. Fits pipes and repairs greenhouse and landscape irrigation systems. Applies and removes whitewash from greenhouse roofs, as necessary. Sweeps, dusts, and washes greenhouse equipment and facilities.
• Orders tools, soils, seeds, bulbs, fertilizers, fumigants, insecticides, and other supplies and equipment. Inventories greenhouse supplies and equipment periodically.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and three years of related experience and training in commercial gardening, grounds maintenance and/or greenhouse work which must include at least six months of related vocational technical training or equivalent education. At the discretion of the hiring authority, the six months of related vocational technical training may be waived for specific vacancies and comparable relevant work experience may be substituted. A pesticide applicator's license may be required for some positions.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the assignment.
• Ability to interact in public setting in a respectful and professional manner.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating grounds and snow removal equipment such as a tool cat, skid steer, loader, commercial mowers, tractors, etc.
• Have a pesticide applicator license - Type A and E.
• Experience with minor maintenance of grounds equipment to include mowers, chainsaws, UTVs, etc.
• Experience with tree trimming
• Experience with the installation and maintenance of irrigations systems.

Pay Range: $28.67 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)

With a strong tradition of technology-enhanced teaching and learning, the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) serves as the U's major outpost in Northwest Minnesota. UMC provides both experiential, career-oriented degree programs as well as high-quality online programs, while connecting its teaching, research, and outreach to rural economic development and service to the region and beyond.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).