Are you passionate about plants, landscaping, and cultivating beautiful green spaces? Do you have the skills to care for a variety of plants and lead a team in maintaining vibrant landscapes? Join the University of New Mexico Facilities Management team as a Master Gardener and play a key role in shaping and maintaining the beauty and health of our campus through expert gardening and landscape care. As a vital part of our team, you'll help enhance the environment of one of New Mexico’s most historic and dynamic universities.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Plant Care & Maintenance: Plant, fertilize, water, prune, and maintain a variety of plants, including flowers, shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants.
•  Team Leadership: Oversee and guide a team of skilled employees, assigning tasks, monitoring performance, and fostering a cooperative and efficient work environment.
•  Pest & Disease Control: Recognize and treat plant diseases and pest problems, applying pesticides and other treatments as needed. Maintain pesticide application records.
•  Landscape Maintenance: Implement landscape plans, ensuring the proper care and maintenance of flower beds, lawns, and athletic fields, including mowing, raking, and trimming.
•  Equipment Operation & Safety: Operate and maintain equipment, ensuring its proper use and safety. Promote safety and environmental best practices in all aspects of work.
•  Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records related to pesticide applications, employee timesheets, and other necessary documentation.
•  Snow Removal: Participate in snow removal operations as needed, ensuring campus safety during winter months.

Why Join Us?

Working as a staff member at the University of New Mexico (UNM) offers a range of exciting benefits, including:

1.   Comprehensive Healthcare: Access to competitive health insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

2.   Retirement Plans: Pension and enrollment in a choice of additional retirement plans with generous employer contributions.

3.   Paid Time Off: Generous annual vacation leave (up to 168 hours per year), sick leave (up to 96 hours per year), and 11 paid holidays to support work-life balance.

4.   Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, career advancement, and tuition remission for employees and dependents.

5.   Wellness Programs: Access to wellness programs, fitness facilities, and resources promoting employee health and well-being.

6.   Community Engagement: Involvement in a vibrant campus community with diverse cultural and recreational activities.

7.   Job Security: Stable employment with competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement within our respected flagship institution of New Mexico.

These benefits underscore UNM's commitment to supporting its staff members both personally and professionally, fostering a rewarding and supportive work environment.

This is a rare opportunity to become part of a close-knit team that values both environmental sustainability and professional growth. You’ll directly contribute to the health, safety, and beauty of our campus, while fostering a greener, more vibrant environment for everyone.

If you’re a skilled gardener with a passion for plants and leadership, we want to hear from you!

Apply today and help us cultivate a beautiful campus!

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver's license is a requirement for this job.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.
• Must obtain State of NM 3A License - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control: Insecticides and State of NM 3B License - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control:Herbicides within 6 months from date of hire.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• All regular, non-temporary positions assigned to this classification are represented by a labor union and subject to the terms and conditions of the CWA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

High school diploma or GED; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Certification/Licensure: State of New Mexico Pesticide License in Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, category 3A and 3B must be obtained within 6 months of hire.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Experience leading a team.
• Current NMDA 3A and 3B pesticide applicators license
• Knowledge of NM plant and soils
• Experience leading a team
• Experience with grounds maintenance equipment and operation
• Experience with fertilization and chemical application

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.