Native Plant Management Specialist - Outdoor Services

Native Plant Management Specialist - Outdoor Services

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Native Plant Management Specialist - Outdoor Services

Requisition Number:

75139

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Classified Staff

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date:

11-Oct-2026

Date Posted:

25-Sep-2026

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Job Summary

Job Summary

Outdoor Services at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Native Plant Management Specialist! Outdoor Services provides high quality, professional grounds and landscape services to enhance a safe, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious campus. Facilities Operations provides a physical environment promoting the advancement and transfer of knowledge. This work unit provides native area management and grounds maintenance support, and is also responsible for snow removal operations during the winter via manual or mechanical methods.

This role assists the East & South Campus Maintenance Manager with implementing practices for native area management including chemical, mechanical, and/or natural methods to control weeds and pests. This role also assists with record keeping of native area management practices and weed/pest mitigation, including chemical, biological, and manual controls.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Who We Are

Facilities Management provides outdoor services to general fund areas and to several auxiliary funded facilities. Facilities Management Outdoor Services is responsible for grounds maintenance and irrigation system operation and maintenance for the general fund areas on campus.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Conduct Chemical Applications for Weeds/Pests

• Conduct pre and post-emergent chemical applications using synthetic and organic/natural liquid or granular products. Assist the Manager in researching new synthetic and natural products during the offseason. Safely mix chemical concentrates in the chemical storage area per label. Conduct chemical applications in general fund and recharge areas (under maintenance agreements) of campus for pests/weeds. This duty may require weekend work schedules 1-2 weekends a month throughout the growing season. Maintain records of chemical applications and assist with timely reports to the Manager. Conduct appropriate timely notification prior to all applications. Ensure appropriate pre and post application signage is placed in areas visible to the public and that signs are picked up when re-entry is acceptable. Accurately charge appropriate work orders, maintenance agreements and maintenance projects on a timely basis.

Native Area Management

• Assist with implementation of the noxious weed management program. These areas include native, riparian, aquatic and wetlands by monitoring, mapping, researching, performing cultural treatments and removing invasive weeds by grazing, chemical, biological, mechanical or manual methods. Assist with wildlife management in wetlands area to include physical removal of beaver dams, installation and maintenance of deterrence devices, installing and maintaining preventative tree wrapping materials and monitoring for beaver activity.
• Perform aquatic weed management for ponds and waterways by hand removal, cleaning screens and placing benthic matting materials. Work with the Manager for scheduling types of methods and/or applications for control. Tools used for this work include chemical applications, biological control methods, hand tools, string trimmers, blade cutters, or brush mowers. Ensure adequate signage is posted regarding current mitigation activities. This position may train, instruct and lead other employees, including students, conducting these activities. Assist with scheduling and overseeing native area maintenance activities. Coordinate with supervisory team to allocate labor resources. Maintain assigned tools and equipment and communicate and accurately describe issues/problems.

Safety

• Work towards a safe working environment for self, team, co-workers and the public. Adhere to all Federal, State, Local, and Department safety guidelines, including any concerning chemical applications or release of bio-controls. Report unsafe conditions or accidents to supervisors or Operations Control Center. Attend and participate in safety trainings. Review and be familiar with the Outdoor Services safety manual and ensure staff comply in the same manner. Follow Colorado Department of Agriculture guidelines and University of Colorado - Boulder policies. Follow pesticide storage guidelines. Advise applicators assisting with chemical applications on appropriate safety measures.

Conduct Snow Removal

• Perform mechanical, hand shoveling and ice abatement operations. Remove snow and conduct ice abatement for sidewalks, stairs, bus stops, curb cuts, paved trails, parking lots and ADA ramps using powered equipment or manual methods. This position is designated Essential Services and is expected to respond to perform snow removal as required.

Perform General Landscape Maintenance Activities.

• Assist with projects such as manual weeding of rock beds, mulch beds, annual/perennial beds, pruning, mowing, string trimming, sidewalk edging, rough mowing, trash removal, drainage corrections, irrigation, tree care, turf management, building entry/loading dock maintenance, hardscape and outdoor furniture assets maintenance and installations, and support other grounds maintenance activities/assignments. May be a work leader for temporary and/or student employees. May assist Campus Arborist work activities. Some duties may require adjusted work schedules including off-set work hours and weekends.

What You Should Know

What You Should Know

This position is eligible for our Facilities Management Employee Referral Program.

This in-person role will work 5 eight-hour workdays per week, Monday-Friday between the hours of 6:00am and 5:00pm, based on staffing requirements of the department.

What We Can Offer

What We Can Offer

The annual salary for this position is $46,584.

If you have prior state-classified experience in the same class series as this position, your pay may be set at a higher amount per the state Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024.

Benefits

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be Statements

Be driven. Be informed. Be Boulder.

What We Require

What We Require

• 2 years of increasingly responsible grounds care and maintenance, greenhouse, or plant nursery general labor work experience appropriate to the job assignment.
• Must possess a valid Colorado driver's license.
• Must be a Colorado resident to apply.
• This role is required to acquire and maintain a Colorado Department of Agriculture Certified Operators License or higher with categories 107 (Rangeland Pest Control) within 12 months of hire or possess one currently.

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

• The ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• An ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

What We Would Like You to Have

What We Would Like You to Have

• Knowledge of native area and landscape management experience.
• Crew/Lead Worker experience also highly desirable.

Special Instructions

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• A current resume that includes date ranges for each position held and whether the position was full-time or part-time.
• Optional: A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
• DD-214 for veteran applicants.
• Qualified veterans and surviving spouses are eligible for veteran's preference points within the State classified system. If you are an honorably discharged veteran, the spouse of a veteran unable to work due to a service-connected disability, or the surviving spouse of a veteran, you may claim preference during the selection process for a position within the state personnel system. In order for us to determine your eligibility for veterans preference, you must attach a copy of a DD-214 form along with your application. If you have additional supporting documentation to provide, or do not wish to upload a DD214, please email a copy to recruiting@colorado.edu and reference the job to which you are applying.
• If using the educational substitution for experience: proof of degree or transcripts.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by October 11, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

Select here for additional information regarding Classified Staff positions: https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/special-instructions-classified-staff-applicants

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Essential Services

Essential Services

This position is designated "essential/critical services." The incumbent is required to respond to requests for work during campus emergencies (snow, wind, rain, flood and any other natural or man-made event) and report to work for regularly assigned shifts during emergency campus closures.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu

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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Click here for a list of ADA and Title IX coordinators. To view the Regent policy, please click here. This organization participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each employee's I-9 form to confirm work authorization.

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