Careers

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary 

The Technical Assistant II (Landscaping) performs horticultural work on campus landscapes including planning out and monitoring the planting and maintenance of flowers, flowering shrubs, annual plants and perennial plants. Works under the supervision of the Maintenance Working Foreman and Head of Grounds, who prioritizes work and provides guidance on policies and procedures. This position is responsible for all technical maintenance aspects of the care and culture of campus, annuals, perennials and woody ornamentals.

Essential Functions

• Prepares, plans for, oversees, and participates in the planting, display, and maintenance of flowers (annuals and perennials) and plants, including formal gardens to ensure the beautification of the campus landscape.
• Determines and advises University Landscape Department personnel of the best methods of planting. spraying. cultivating and harvesting to increase the quality.
• Maintains rain garden planting beds, rooftop planting beds and landscape planting beds.
• Works daily with student interns to insure they meet the requirements of their internship. Provides functional supervision to skilled laborers and student interns.
• Assists in the ordering and purchasing of plant material to be grown m the landscape greenhouse for future planting on campus.
• Prepares budget requests for assigned activities based on projected needs, and purchases seeds, plants, seedlings, soil material, etc. for use in the University landscape and other areas.
• Assists in the design and layout of new planting beds. renovation of existing planting beds, and event and specialty arrangements.
• Conducts training for university personnel in the care and maintenance of flowers (annuals and perennials).
• Maintains liaison with the UMass Extension Services Soil Testing lab, local garden clubs, campus schools and colleges, and students to exchange ideas and/or solve problems.
• Checks soil conditions to determine nutrient and moisture requirements and to detect and identify germ and pest infestation.
• Monitors use of irrigation system by performing test runs to provide preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Assists in the daily operation of the landscape department greenhouses.
• Determines needs and assigns workers to specific tasks such as watering, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, or applying herbicides, fungicides and pesticides.
• Maintains updated copies of Material Safety Data Sheets on all chemicals used.
• Attends building construction meetings to provide input for the landscaping design.
• Performs job responsibilities in an environmentally compliant and responsible manner reflective of Physical Plant policies, procedures, and goals related to environmental compliance and stewardship.
• Operates motor vehicles to travel to work sites and perform landscaping work.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties such as maintaining an inventory of supplies and equipment, maintaining employee records, und preparing written reports.
• Performs related duties as required.
• May assist in the application of herbicide as needed on university-owned land.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

• Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator's License.
• Class D Driver's License. 
• Massachusetts Class 2B Hoisting License. 
• Applicants must have two (2) years of full time or equivalent part time horticulture experience, including the planning and planting of displays. An associate’s degree (with a major of horticulture, biology or a related field) may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to pesticide storage, use and disposal.
• Ability to work outdoors under exposure to all types of weather condition and work under exposure to the hazards of chemical substances such as pesticides.
• Knowledge of horticulture principles, safety practices, techniques, and terminology, including standard abbreviations.
• Familiarity with floriculture materials, equipment, flower varieties (annuals and perennials), and soil conditions that support plant growth.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and the types and uses of fertilizers, germicides, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of floriculture data to draw conclusions, generate reports, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to both works independently as well as to direct the work efforts and tasks of others.
• Knowledge of the use of computers with the ability to use word processing programs, spreadsheets and email software.
• Ability to conduct training.
• Ability to follow and provide oral and written instructions.
• Excellent leadership, customer service, and record keeping skills.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions 

• Operates motor vehicles to travel to work sites and perform landscaping work.
• Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods and under varying climate conditions and work under exposure to the hazards of chemical substances such as pesticides. 
• Requires the ability to balance, carry, push, pull, stand, bend, climb, drive, reach, sit, twist, lift, and perform repetitive movements.

Additional Details 

• Must be available for scheduled overtime and callbacks during emergencies.
• Position is designated as essential.
• Position includes obligation to work overtime and return to work between scheduled shifts when directed. Incumbent must ensure service desk is provided with current phone number for use in callbacks.

Work Schedule 

Sunday-Thursday; 7am-3pm. 

Salary Information 

Non-Exempt, AFSCME Grade 13.

Special Instructions to Applicants 

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.