State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Master Gardener (37.5 Hour) (5532TC)

$27.65-$35.90 Hourly / $2,073.34-$2,692.30 BiWeekly /
$54,114.00-$70,269.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

At the University of Connecticut this class is accountable for performing a full range of tasks in the design and maintenance of landscaping projects to beautify, enhance and maintain the visual appearance of the University's main and regional campuses.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general direction from the Maintenance Supervisor 1 (Grounds) or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead Landscape Technicians, Maintainers and other staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Plans, designs, installs and maintains landscape features to include flowers, plants, shrubs, ornamental grasses, trees, turf, waterscapes, lighting, fencing, bollards and decorative synthetic or natural materials;
  • Establishes and maintains landscaping procedures in adherence to policy, state laws and standards of a certified master gardener;
  • Provides staff training and assistance; may conduct or assist in conducting performance evaluations;
  • Acts as a liaison with operating units within the Landscape Department and other University departments, outside officials and vendors;
  • Coordinates with arborists or arboriculturists on landscape designs;
  • Estimates landscape project costs;
  • Obtains project approvals;
  • Procures materials and equipment;
  • Diagnoses plant and turf diseases through identification of symptoms, pattern, age, type or particular variety, fertilizer, soil quality, pesticide applications, cultural practices used, recent weather trends, irrigation practices, known plant pathogens, insects or weeds;
  • Advises and implements controls for pests, insects and diseases;
  • Analyzes soil and takes remediation steps to improve condition for optimal growing conditions;
  • Installs and maintains recreational sports fields;
  • Prepares and dismantles event sites which may include plantings, fences, chairs, tents, bleachers, tables and signs for special events;
  • Operates and maintains various large and small power and construction equipment including attachments such as bucket/boom trucks, front loaders, backhoes, forklifts, tractors, dump trucks of five (5) ton or greater capacity, plow and pick-up trucks, tractor trailers, wood chippers, brush clippers, mowers, leaf blowers, screener plant, weed whackers, chain saws, street sweepers, leaf vacuums and hand tools;
  • Hauls materials and fills and grades to prepare the site for plants, turf or other installation;
  • Installs and maintains irrigation systems;
  • Installs, maintains and repairs asphalt pavement and other materials on traveled surfaces;
  • Performs pre-treatment and snow and ice removal;
  • Removes trash;
  • May travel to work at regional campuses;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of botany, plant pathology, soils, entomology, pesticide safety, integrated pest management (IPM), woody ornamentals, herbaceous ornamentals, trees, turf grass, invasive plants, weeds, environmental factors affecting plant growth and diagnostic techniques; considerable knowledge of landscape design;
  • Knowledge of
    • optimal conditions to maintain healthy plant life;
    • personal protective equipment (PPE) and its proper use;
    • pesticide application;
    • turf maintenance, aeration and irrigation systems
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • read blueprints or architectural drawings and renderings;
    • operate, maintain and repair hand tools, small and large power equipment and heavy construction and commercial equipment and vehicles used in landscaping;
    • utilize computer software;
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience performing landscape work in a formal commercial or residential landscape or nursery setting to include site planning, design and installations and disease, pest and turf management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must be in landscape design.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training in plant science, horticulture, landscape architecture or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.
  • For state employees one (1) year as a Landscape Technician may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a Master Gardener Certification from the University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension System or an equivalent program recognized by the University of Connecticut.
  • Incumbents in this class must obtain and maintain a State of Connecticut Commercial Applicator’s Certificate for pesticide application within twelve (12) months of appointment to the class of Master Gardner.
  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  • Incumbents in this class must be available to work as needed for snow removal and emergency situations.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties of the class.
  • A physical examination may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, significant levels of dust and noise and risk of injury from equipment.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to use personal protective equipment.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(16)-Labor-Trades, Laundry

BARGAINING UNIT

(06)-SERVICE/MAINT (NP-2)

EEO

(8)-Service Maintenance

SALARY INFORMATION

TC 16

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Master Gardner in Salary Group TC 16 approved effective October 13, 2017. (Reviewed for content, revised to modernize format and add an Acknowledgement section) Final No. 24-033

EFFECTIVE DATE

02/28/2024
CLASS: 5532TC; EST: 7/10/2015; REV: 3/1/2024;