Landscape Specialist - Facilities Services - UTK

JobID: 7444

Category: Facilities Services

JobSchedule: Full time

Posted Date: 2026-04-07T18:14:51+00:00

JobShift:

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This role requires strong horticulture knowledge and hands‑on experience to lead and execute landscape renovation projects and maintain long-term landscape beds. The position is responsible for scheduling and prioritizing daily tasks and will oversee event setup and teardown activities to help protect campus turf and landscape areas.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED

• Experience: 4 years of combined work experience/education within the landscape industry.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to operate skid steer loaders, tractors, trenchers and other common landscape equipment.

• Ability to operate small hand-held landscaping equipment.

• Knowledge of commonly used plants and trees for our region.

• Knowledge of regional horticulture practices.

• Ability to read and understand landscape plans.

• Ability to calibrate and clean/sterilize chemical application equipment.

• Knowledge of chemicals commonly used within the landscape industry.

• Knowledge of how to apply chemicals safely.

• Must have good communication, listening, and problem solving skills.

• Other Conditions: Valid Driver's license

Work Location

• University of Tennessee - Knoxville, TN Campus
• This is an on-site position

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR05
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

About The College/Department/Division

UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville's largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provides around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.

• Manage landscape and hard‑scape project planning and job sites.
• Read, interpret, and apply landscape plans.
• Perform site preparation, site layout, and plant and material purchasing.
• Execute proper horticultural practices for plant and tree installation.
• Install and maintain seasonal flower beds.
• Design and implement rotation plans to refresh seasonal interest in all designated color bed locations.
• Monitor soil health and conditions; make corrective adjustments as needed.
• Perform manual and chemical weed and pest control, deadheading, pruning, and water management.
• Apply chemicals in landscape and hard‑scape areas, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and fertilizers.
• Calibrate, clean, and sterilize spray or push units before and after applications.
• Conduct soil sampling and add amendments to resolve soil issues.
• Manage and monitor event setup and teardown activities.
• Coordinate with vendors and event organizers to ensure proper setup and protection of landscape areas.
• Serve as point of contact to resolve event‑related issues impacting Facilities Services.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Serve as a crew lead when the foreman is absent.
• Train landscape services team members on proper horticultural maintenance practices.
• Manage landscape and hard‑scape project planning and job sites.
• Read, interpret, and apply landscape plans.
• Perform site preparation, site layout, and plant and material purchasing.
• Execute proper horticultural practices for plant and tree installation.
• Install and maintain seasonal flower beds.
• Design and implement rotation plans to refresh seasonal interest in all designated color bed locations.
• Monitor soil health and conditions; make corrective adjustments as needed.
• Perform manual and chemical weed and pest control, deadheading, pruning, and water management.
• Apply chemicals in landscape and hard‑scape areas, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and fertilizers.
• Calibrate, clean, and sterilize spray or push units before and after applications.
• Conduct soil sampling and add amendments to resolve soil issues.
• Manage and monitor event setup and teardown activities.
• Coordinate with vendors and event organizers to ensure proper setup and protection of landscape areas.
• Serve as point of contact to resolve event‑related issues impacting Facilities Services.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Serve as a crew lead when the foreman is absent.
• Train landscape services team members on proper horticultural maintenance practices.