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Job category:
University Staff
Employment type:
Regular
Job profile:
Horticulture/Forestry Spec
Job summary:
The Gardener Lead position is part of the Grounds Department within the Division of Facilities Planning & Management at UW–Madison (FP&M). This role plays a key part in guiding and supporting crew members in the field, helping ensure daily operations run smoothly. Responsibilities include overseeing inventory, supporting equipment maintenance, and leading larger-scale projects such as mulching. Given the wide range of tasks our Gardeners manage, having a knowledgeable, hands-on leader is essential to team success.
The Gardener Lead provides real-time support and training, helping team members build skills, work safely, and consistently deliver high-quality results. This role is instrumental in fostering a positive, productive work environment where employees feel confident in their abilities and take pride in their contributions.
Our goal is to set every Gardener up for success by providing the tools, guidance, and support needed to meet expectations and grow professionally. By strengthening safety practices, on-the-job training, and team stability, the Gardener Lead helps create an environment where both individuals and the team can thrive.
This role involves regular physical activity, including bending, stooping, kneeling, and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
If you are a hands-on leader with strong landscape knowledge, a commitment to safety, and a passion for developing others, we encourage you to apply and bring your skills to our team.
Ongoing/Renewable
Full-Time: 100% FTE
Hours generally scheduled Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm. Occasional nights, weekends and holidays may be required for this position.
Key job responsibilities:
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Develops, coordinates and executes spraying programs for fungicide, pesticide, and herbicide applications
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Maintains and evaluates hardscape maintenance
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Maintains inventory data for assigned area including tagging, insect monitoring, and planting and moving
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Oversees and organizes crew placement, scheduling and mulch delivery during larger mulching projects
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Provides training to full-time and temporary personnel on safety procedures, tool operation, and preventive maintenance.
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Coordinates the planting, sowing, fertilization, trimming, watering, and spraying of assigned areas
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Assists with overall landscape maintenance, including vegetation control, equipment use, and pest management support.
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Performs all necessary snow removal duties in the winter
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Maintains inventory data on equipment and tools
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Coordinates the spacing of plants, shrubs, trees, and ground cover to ensure proper growth
Department:
About our the Grounds department
Grounds is responsible for maintaining a safe, sustainable, and beautiful outdoor environment across 938-acre UW campus. Our team manages a wide range of tasks related to arboriculture, horticulture, hardscapes, signage, and snow removal.
In addition to caring for thousands of trees, shrubs, and perennials, Grounds crews design and maintain multi-seasonal and signature floral displays. To support these efforts, we operate a dedicated greenhouse that produces over 30,000 annuals and perennials each year. Grounds is committed to sustainability, continually working to reduce its ecological footprint through initiatives such as eco-friendly lawn care practices and road salt reduction
About the Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M):
The Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M) is a full-spectrum service organization that builds, maintains, and operates the physical environment of UW-Madison in the university's education, research, and outreach activities. We are responsible for everything from the building projects that change the face of campus to the flowers that beautify the grounds.
Find out more about our Division: https://inside.fpm.wisc.edu/about-fpm/
Compensation:
The minimum rate for this position is $26.00/hr, but it is negotiable based on experience, skills, and qualifications.
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.
For a summary of benefits, please see below
Required qualifications:
Minimum of 2 years of related groundskeeping or horticultural experience
Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively within a team
Ability to obtain a CDL Class B license with air brakes and tanker endorsement within 6 months of hire
Drivers License Required - Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards
Ability to obtain a pesticide applicator’s license within 6 months of hire
Requires trapper education course and certification within six months of hire.
Availability for snow removal and overtime work as needed
Preferred qualifications:
Education:
High School Diploma or Equivalent -Preferred
How to apply:
To begin the application process, go to the “Apply Now” section of the job posting.
Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all of your documents in the attachment field, either as one combined document, or separate documents.
We are eager to learn more about how your experience may align with this position!
The following is required for your application to be considered complete:
The search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify selected applicants to participate further in the selection process directly.
This position requires obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within six months of hire. UW–Madison conducts drug and alcohol testing for positions that require a CDL and the performance of safety‑sensitive functions. Candidates who receive an offer for this position will be required to successfully complete a drug and alcohol screen once they have obtained their CDL and before performing any safety‑sensitive duties. Employees in this role are also subject to ongoing random drug and alcohol testing for the duration of their employment
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
Contact information:
Miluska Canicoba, [email protected], 608-262-6593
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information
Institutional statement on diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
