LANDSCAPE SPECIALIST

Occupational Summary

Perform a variety of technical and skilled duties involved in maintaining Duke University's landscape and grounds in accordance with established schedules and instructions.

Work Performed

• Coordinate and participate in the proper care of Duke University landscape and grounds, including trimming, edging, weeding, pruning trees and shrubs, and applying herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, seeds, bulbs, plants, mulch, and fertilizers as directed.
• Operate landscaping equipment, such as weed eaters, power edgers, power mowers, backpack sprayers, hoes, shovels, hand tools, and related landscape equipment.
• Instruct and direct grounds crew in proper methods and techniques for herbicide, pesticide, and fertilizer applications, pruning, trimming, planting, and mowing patterns.
• Calculate the proper amounts of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and topsoil for landscape applications. Measure and compute areas to determine ratios, mixtures, and quantities of materials required.
• Attend classes on herbicides, turf management, irrigation maintenance, and pest control to stay updated and knowledgeable in landscape techniques.
• Lay out and construct special landscape projects from designs, blueprints, and plans, including planters, planting beds, and landscape timbers. Ensure work is completed according to project specifications and repair broken posts or fences as directed.
• Install, maintain, and repair electrical and hydraulic irrigation systems, including laying PVC pipe, repairing plumbing, replacing defective sprinkler heads, and solving basic system problems.
• Construct, level, mark off, and manicure sports fields per plans and specifications, ensuring the grounds crew follows proper procedures to meet specified requirements.
• Monitor the work of lower-rated employees and assist the supervisor in implementing and regulating the crew's work assignments. Ensure the crew has adequate supplies and equipment to carry out tasks.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Minimum Qualifications

Education
N/A

Experience

Work generally requires two years of experience in grounds maintenance and landscaping to acquire specialized knowledge of irrigation systems, turf management, sports fields, horticulture, and/or landscape design.

A high school diploma combined with one year of post-secondary education in a related field (e.g., agriculture, horticulture, turf management) may be substituted for the above experience. Must possess a valid North Carolina Driver's License OR An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.