Gardening Specialist, Short-term, Temporary

Application Process

This position is open until filled. For full consideration, please submit application, along with cover letter and resume, by 8am on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Please review the position description listed above for full scope of responsibilities and qualifications. Evidence of degree(s) or certificate(s) and/or license(s) required at time of hire.

Job Summary

This is a 3-month appointment. Reappointment or extension of this position is dependent upon the individual's performance as well as administrative and budgetary considerations.

Reporting to and under the general supervision of the Landscape Manager, and with additional lead work direction provided from other members of the Facilities Management team, the Gardening Specialist performs a wide variety of gardening work and performs a combination of specialized work in an assigned area which encompasses sprinkler repair work, horticultural spray work, and plant propagation, and gardening or nursery work on campus properties. This position emphasizes sustainable horticultural practices, including the application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles to ensure plant health and ecological balance. The Gardening Specialist works both independently and in a work team environment, as assigned by the Landscape Manager.

Key Qualifications

This position requires two years of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or general grounds, one year of which shall have been in either the maintenance, repair or modification of irrigation systems, specialized pest and/or spray control work, or cultivation and care of nursery plants. Experience in the safe use and handling of pesticides and other pest control substances is required. Beginning proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) required. Knowledge of Google Suite, computerized work control system and PeopleSoft preferred. The incumbent must successfully complete a pre-placement exam and must possess and/or obtain and thereafter maintain a California Driver’s License valid for the operation of any vehicle or equipment required to maintain and operate. The incumbent must also possess and/or obtain and thereafter maintain a pest control license or certification (Pest Control Adviser, Qualified Applicator License or Qualified Applicator Certificate from the California Department of Pesticide Regulations).

Salary and Benefits

This is a full time, temporary, non-exempt position. The CSU Classification Step Range for this position is $3,736 - $5,232 per month (step 1 - step 18). Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience. Step placement upon appointment is not expected to exceed Step 3 ($3,887 a month).  Reappointment to this position is dependent upon the individual's performance as well as administrative and budgetary considerations. The university reserves the right to terminate this appointment earlier than the scheduled expiration date.

For eligible employees, CSUEU collective bargaining agreement Article 17.10 will be honored.

Supplemental Information

About Sonoma State University: 

Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community. 

Equal Opportunity & Mandated Reporting:

The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Employment Eligibility & Conditions: 

CSU Out of State Policy - Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.

Education Code 89521 - Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Sonoma State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.

Application Process & Accommodations:

For questions related to the application process, please reach out to hr@sonoma.edu. The ADA Coordinator is also available (hraccommodations@sonoma.edu) to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.

Annual Reports & Safety Information:

Sonoma State University's Annual Security Report (https://clery.sonoma.edu/annual-security-report) includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person by emailing the Clery Compliance and Safety Office at clery@sonoma.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available for viewing at https://housing.sonoma.edu/compliance-data/2024-campus-housing-fire-safety-report. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within Sonoma State University student housing facilities for three years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Residential Education and Campus Housing at housing@sonoma.edu.