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Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3
Position Details
Employee Information
Employee First Name
Employee Last Name
Position Details
Please record information regarding the position such as work location, FTE, and term. The information is used,
along with the other information, as a basis for HRS determination of the appropriate title, salary rate, and Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA) exemption status.
University Title
Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3
Title Code
591K
Working Title
Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3
Position Number
121306
College/Area
Agricultural Research Center
Department
WSU Prosser IAREC
Hiring Unit
Work Location
Prosser
Position Supervisor
Poitr Kowalec
This position is in a Bargaining Unit No
Bargaining Unit Work Schedule (if
applicable)
Summary of Duties
The Grounds & Nursery Services Specialist 3 position, located in Prosser,
Washington, assists in all aspects of greenhouse, screenhouse and field
operations. The position is part of a team dedicated to the development and
distribution of virus-free grapevines, fruit trees and hops. The position works
closely with other team members to ensure that project requirements are
met. Primary duties include, but are not limited to: budding and grafting for
propagation and for virus indexing; monitoring greenhouses, screenhouses
and outdoor plantings for diseases and insects; and take appropriate control
measures. The incumbent will participate in general program activities
including plant propagation, general plant care, and potting/re-potting. Field
5/14/2015
activities include planting, training, pruning, trellis maintenance, irrigation
system maintenance, collection of dormant and green cuttings, and
collection of plant samples for virus indexing; and plant removal. Since this
work is performed in a quarantine facility, care must be taken to accurately
observe standard operating procedures. Other duties as assigned.
Appointment Status
Temporary
Appointment FTE%
100
Position Term in Months
12
FLSA Status
Overtime Eligible
FLSA Exemption Criteria
Administrative Professional
Exemption Criteria
Job Duties
Access Requirement
Access Requirement
Other Access Requirements
Job Duties
*A minimum of 1 entry is required.
Essential Duty
Yes
Percent of Time
25
Job Function
Biological Indexing Operations
Duties Performed
Collect and store hardwood cuttings and rootstocks for biological indexing.
Graft sample material onto woody hosts, accurately label, and line out in
field where appropriate.
Prepare indexed plants for disease rating.
Propagate herbaceous hosts for biological indexing.
Collect tissue samples and inoculate herbaceous hosts.
Maintain indexed herbaceous plants and discard, using approved methods
when completed.
Essential Duty
Yes
Percent of Time
30
Job Function
Greenhouse and Screenhouse Operations
Duties Performed
Assist in daily/weekly/seasonal facility maintenance.
5/14/2015
Monitor potted plants for water daily and water as needed.
Monitor for disease and insect pests weekly and control as needed.
Monitor nutrition levels of plants and apply fertilizer via dry, fertigation or
foliar applications as needed.
Maintain screenhouse irrigation systems and irrigate as needed.
Maintain accurate labeling and maps for the location of mother plants.
Assist manager in maintaining sufficient greenhouse supplies for potting,
nutritional and pesticide needs.
Pasteurize soil and soil-less media for potting needs.
Pot newly callused cuttings, rooted mist propagation plantlets and re-pot
existing potted vines as needed.
Maintain an organized arrangement of potted plants in the greenhouses and
screenhouses.
Maintain a clean environment within the greenhouses and screenhouses.
Assist in maintaining a current potted plant inventory listing.
Essential Duty
Yes
Percent of Time
25
Job Function
Vineyard and Orchard Operations
Duties Performed
Plant potted trees, hop plants, and vines in assigned locations.
Maintain map and identification tags of planted plants.
Monitor vineyard and orchard for foliar diseases and insect and mite pests,
and apply pesticides as needed, both foliar and through drip irrigation.
Maintenance of trellis systems.
Monitor and maintain irrigation systems as required.
Monitor vineyard and orchard for nutritional needs and apply as needed.
Operate project vehicle and heavy farm equipment as needed.
Essential Duty
No
Percent of Time
5
Job Function
Other duties as assigned
Duties Performed
perform related duties as required.
Essential Duty
Yes
Percent of Time
15
Job Function
Plant Sample Collection
Duties Performed
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Collect tissue samples and hardwood cuttings from greenhouse,
screenhouse, vineyard, and orchard as directed.
Ensure correct samples are collected and that they are accurately labeled.
Supervisory/Lead Responsibilities
Lead Definition- A lead employee has delegated responsibility for training, assigning, organizing or scheduling work,
and reviewing completed work assignments. A lead employee does not make hiring decisions.
Supervisor Definition- A supervisor has the authority to recommend hiring of staff, establish job performance
standards, evaluate job performance, and take corrective action if performance is not acceptable. Supervisors are
also responsible for training, assigning and scheduling work, and acting upon leave requests.
Does this position LEAD the work of Yes
others?
Type of employees led
Student/Hourly
Does the combined FTE of all
positions led equal at least 100%?
Yes
Does this position SUPERVISE the
work of others?
No
Does this position supervise one or No
more full time equivalent (FTE)
positions?
Type of employees supervised
Position Qualifications
Required Qualifications
High school graduation or equivalent and at least two years experience
working with gardening or in grounds maintenance; OR equivalent
education/experience.
Additional Requirements
Technical/Associate degree in plant culture and at least two years’
experience working with gardening or in grounds maintenance, or high
school diploma with 5 years directly related experience.
Must have or be able to obtain by time of hire a valid driver’s license.
Must have or be able to obtain at time of hire a Washington State Public
Applicator’s pesticide license.
Experience in operating heavy farm equipment.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in vineyard and orchard operations.
Experience in greenhouse and screenhouse plant growth facilities.
Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.
Essential Work Competencies
5/14/2015
Essential Work Competencies
The essential work competencies are the knowledge, skills, abilities, mental requirements, physical requirements,
and working conditions related to the duties and responsibilities identified as essential functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or
Competencies
Knowledge of grape, hop and fruit tree propagation, culture, diseases, pests
and their control.
Describe the knowledge, skills and abilities
required of the position.
Knowledge of WA State certification and foundation programs.
Knowledge and understanding in the importance of accuracy and detail of
labeling and record keeping.
Knowledge and skill in greenhouse and screenhouse operations.
Skilled in the operation of both field and greenhouse equipment.
Skilled in the ability to graft or chip bud woody plants (grapes and fruit trees
in particular).
Knowledge of drip irrigation systems and operation.
Ability to operate orchard and vineyard heavy equipment and spray
equipment.
Skill in carrying out clearly defined procedures.
Ability to work collegially and collaboratively with diverse internal and
external constituencies.
Commitment to Diversity – an appreciation of the benefits of a diverse
workplace and willingness to take actions to enhance the diversity of WSU.
Mental Requirements
Indicate the mental demands of the position.
Ability to reason logically and make sound decisions and to consider
alternative and diverse perspectives.
Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to interact effectively with people in a positive manner that engenders
confidence and trust.
Ability to accurately perform repetitious work associated with the collection of
hardwood cuttings, green tissue propagation, budding and recording.
Ability to work effectively alone while still working as an integral part of a
team.
Ability to interact appropriately with a variety of employees at WSU-Prosser.
Ability to multitask without loss of efficiency or accuracy.
Ability to work and sustain attention to detail with distractions and/or
interruptions.
Ability to understand, remember and follow verbal and written instructions.
Ability to clearly think through problems and find effective solutions.
Ability to maintain punctual and regular attendance.
5/14/2015
Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments.
Physical Requirements
Indicate the physical demands of the position. The requirements selected must be related to the duties and
responsibilities identified as essential functions.
Occasionally = occurs less than 33% of hours worked
Frequently = occurs 33% - 66% of hours worked
Continuous = occurs more than 66% of hours worked
Specify the amount the position will Up to 50 lbs
be required to LIFT/CARRY
frequently
Specify the amount the position will Up to 50 lbs
be required to PULL/PUSH
frequently
Bend
Freq.
Twist
Freq.
Squat
Freq.
Climb
Occas.
Kneel/Crawl
Freq.
Reach/Reach Overhead
Freq.
Finger Dexterity/Fine Manipulation
Contin.
Sit
Freq.
Drive
Freq.
List any unique work conditions this Outdoor Environment, greenhouses, screeenhouses
position will encounter
Performance Expectations
Performance Expectations
Quality of Work
OUTSTANDING
-Consistently produces error-free work.
-Prepares excellent work in relation to neatness, clarity, and presentation.
-Always pays close attention to detail and confidentiality.
-Consistently communicates in a professional, courteous manner.
-Consistently and accurately performs routine duties without reminders.
-Consistently handles multiple job duties in an efficient manner.
-Demonstrates excellent organizational skills, initiative and imagination.
-Consistently fields and prioritizes confidential or sensitive information with
discretion and accuracy.
-Consistently follows up with supervisor regarding the status/completion of
assigned duties via e-mail, verbal, or written instructions.
-Always brings new or unusual situations to supervisor’s attention.
MEETS EXPECTATIONS/SATISFACTORY
5/14/2015
-Produces work with few or no errors.
-Prepares good work in relation to neatness, clarity, and presentation.
-Pays attention to detail and confidentiality.
-Performs routine duties with few reminders.
-Communicates in a professional, courteous manner.
-Handles multiple job duties.
-Demonstrates organizational skills and initiative.
-Fields and prioritizes confidential or sensitive information with discretion and
accuracy.
-Follows up with supervisor regarding the status/completion of assigned
duties via e-mail, verbal, or written instructions.
-Brings new or unusual situations to supervisor’s attention.
UNSATISFACTORY
-Produces work with multiple errors; finished products cannot be relied upon.
-Prepares poor work in relation to neatness, clarity and presentation.
-Pays little or no attention to detail and confidentiality.
-Requires reminders from supervisor to perform a majority of routine duties.
-Fails to communicate in a professional, courteous manner.
-Unable to handle multiple job duties.
-Lacks organizational skills and initiative.
-Demonstrates little concern regarding discretion or accuracy when fielding
confidential or sensitive information.
-Does not follow-up with supervisor regarding the status/completion of
assigned duties.
-Fails to draw supervisor’s attention to new or unusual situations.
Quantity of Work
OUTSTANDING
-Consistently prioritizes workload on a daily basis.
-Always collaborates with supervisor to ensure work is being handled
efficiently and in a timely fashion.
-Rearranges priorities to accommodate unexpected or “rush” jobs.
-Consistently produces large volumes of error-free work during times of peak
workloads.
-Consistently seeks more efficient ways of accomplishing assigned tasks.
-Consistently completes assignments in an efficient manner.
-Consistently completes assignments prior to deadlines.
-Does low priority work promptly, as time permits.
-Seeks out jobs or helps others as time permits.
MEETS EXPECTATIONS/SATISFACTORY
-Reviews work load daily.
-Collaborates with supervisor to ensure work is being handled efficiently and
in a timely fashion.
-Makes an effort to accommodate unexpected or “rush” jobs.
-Produces a large volume of error-free work during times of peak workloads.
-Makes an effort to utilize more efficient ways of accomplishing assigned
tasks.
-Completes assignments in a satisfactory manner.
-Completes assignments on time.
-Does low priority work, as time permits.
-Makes an effort to find new jobs or help others as time permits.
UNSATISFACTORY
-Does not prioritize workload daily.
-Fails to collaborate with supervisor to ensure work is handled in a timely
manner and is not aware of efficiency flow problems.
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-Rarely able to accommodate unexpected or “rush” jobs.
-Does not produce a large volume of work during peak times, makes errors.
-Does not seek more efficient methods of accomplishing assigned tasks.
-Completes assignments in an inefficient manner.
-Finishes assignments late, frequently misses deadlines.
-Allows low priority work to accumulate.
-Fails to offer help to others when own work is finished.
Job Knowledge
OUTSTANDING
-Demonstrates excellent working knowledge of department and university
policies and procedures.
-Consistently performs routine duties with minimal or no written/verbal
instruction and/or supervision.
-Diligently follows written/verbal instructions.
-Consistently applies sound judgment in handling workload and assisting
supervisor.
-Always Knowledgeable and skillful in utilizing computer programs applicable
to position; takes the initiative to learn expanded functions of software.
-Always uses sound judgment when applying policies and procedures and
checks with proper personnel if unable to answer questions or unable to
handle a situation.
-Always answers questions in a responsible manner.
-Always able to obtain information from proper sources when needed.
-Effectively carries out responsibilities in the absence of supervisor.
MEETS EXPECTATIONS/SATISFACTORY
-Demonstrates working knowledge of department and university policies and
procedures.
-Performs duties with some or minimal written/verbal instruction and/or
supervision.
-Follows written/verbal instructions.
-Applies sound judgment in handling workload and assisting the supervisor.
-Knowledgeable and skillful in utilizing computer programs, using own
initiative to learn expanded functions of software.
-Uses good judgment when applying policies and procedures and checks
with proper personnel if unable to answer questions or unable to handle a
situation.
-Answers questions in a responsible manner.
-Able to obtain information from proper sources when needed.
-Carries out responsibilities in the absence of supervisor.
UNSATISFACTORY
-Poor working knowledge of university and department policies and
procedures.
-Unable to perform routine duties without extensive verbal/written instruction
and/or supervision.
-Does not satisfactorily follow written/verbal instructions.
-Uses poor judgment in handling workload and assisting the supervisor.
-Requires regular assistance and direction with computer programs
applicable to position.
-Uses poor judgment when applying policies and procedures and does not
check with proper personnel if unable to answer questions or unable to
handle a situation.
-Does not answer questions in a responsible manner.
-Unable to obtain information from proper sources when needed.
-Has difficulty in carrying out responsibilities in absence of supervisor.
5/14/2015
Working Relationships
OUTSTANDING
-Always communicates well with others; easily approachable.
-Always cooperative and maintains pleasant, courteous relationships.
-Respectfully accepts supervision.
-Anticipates the needs of co-workers and clients.
-Always provides assistance when possible.
-Always displays professional manner/attitude so as not to disturb others.
-Courteously performs duties without disturbing others.
-Always consults with person who initiates the job if there are questions.
-Always keeps personal issues separate from work environment.
-Always presents a professional image regarding dress and demeanor.
MEETS EXPECTATIONS/SATISFACTORY
-Communicates well with others; approachable.
-Cooperative and maintains pleasant, courteous relationships.
-Accepts supervision.
-Willingly provides assistance to co-workers and clients when requested.
-Provides assistance when possible.
-Displays professional manner/attitude so as not to disturb others.
-Performs duties without disturbing others.
-Consults with person who initiates the job if there are questions.
-Keeps personal issues separate from work environment.
-Presents a professional image regarding dress and demeanor.
UNSATISFACTORY
-Does not communicate well with others; unapproachable.
-Difficulty cooperating with others and maintaining pleasant, courteous
relationships.
-Displays unwillingness to accept supervision.
-Does not provide appropriate assistance to co-workers and clients, or does
so reluctantly.
-Does not provide assistance, or does so reluctantly.
-Inadequately displays professional manner/attitude; has affected others.
-Disturbs others in the performance of duties
-Does not consult with person who initiates the job when there are questions
or problems.
-Difficulty separating personal issues from work environment.
-Does not present a professional image regarding dress and demeanor.
Other Factors (OPTIONAL)
OUTSTANDING
-Consistently assigns work to maximize staff time and department
resources.
-Consistently provides comprehensive instructions for new staff and
guidance to staff for completion of projects when needed.
-Always communicates effectively with staff.
-Consistently checks the work and provides constructive feedback to staff.
-Consistently extends appropriate credit and recognition to others.
-Consistently patient, understanding and flexible yet remains fair in relation
to policy, standards, and diverse opinions.
-Always communicates consistent, constructive feedback regarding job
performance to assist supervisor.
-Always assists supervisor to maintain University and Department policies
and procedures.
MEETS EXPECTATIONS/SATISFACTORY
5/14/2015
-Assigns work to maximize staff time and department resources.
-Provides comprehensive instructions for new staff and guidance to staff for
completion of projects when needed.
-Communicates effectively with staff.
-Checks the work and provides constructive feedback to staff.
-Extends appropriate credit and recognition to others.
-Demonstrates patience, understanding and flexibility yet remains fair in
relation to policy, standards, and diverse opinions.
-Communicates consistent, constructive feedback regarding job
performance to assist supervisor.
-Assists supervisor to maintain university and department policies and
procedures.
UNSATISFACTORY
-Fails to assign work to maximize staff time and department resources.
-Fails to provide comprehensive instructions for new staff or guidance to
staff for completion of projects when needed.
-Unwilling to communicate with staff.
-Unwilling to check the work and unwilling to provide constructive feedback
to staff.
-Does not extend appropriate credit and recognition to others.
-Lacks patience, understanding and flexibility in relation to policy, standards,
and diverse opinions.
-Does not communicate constructive feedback regarding job performance to
assist supervisor.
-Does not assist supervisor in maintaining university and department policies
and procedures.
5/14/2015