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Details

**Open Date** 09/02/2025

**Requisition Number** PRN43012B

**Job Title** Manager, Program(s)

**Working Title** Programs Manager (Irrigation, Turf, Equipment)

**Job Grade** F

**FLSA Code** Administrative

**Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No

**Standard Hours per Week** 40

**Full Time or Part Time?** Full Time

**Shift** Variable

Work Schedule Summary

This position requires attendance in order to perform job duties. The work schedule is typically Monday thru Friday; however, a regular weekend shift and an evening shift may be required. Additional shifts are periodically required to provide coverage for Garden programs/events or snow removal for the same, and as ‘essential personnel’ is expected to provide coverage during Holidays, University Closed Days, to provide minimum garden coverage, clear the Garden for reopening, or respond to other emergencies as required.

**VP Area** President

**Department** 00340 - Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

**Location** Campus

**City** Salt Lake City, UT

**Type of Recruitment** Internal to the Department

**Pay Rate Range** $52,000 - $62,000, depending on experience

**Close Date** 09/12/2025

**Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)** 09/12/2025

Job Summary

This working managerial position is responsible for coordinating and providing excellent care of the underground irrigation system, outdoor decorative and interactive fountains, turf, and equipment maintenance. The incumbent is responsible for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing required maintenance and care needs; hires, trains, supervises and evaluates the performance of full time and seasonal staff; ensures maintenance activities are performed effectively, safely and without impact to Garden or private events by coordinating with appropriate personnel and departments as needed. Ensures safe operation of the Garden’s equipment and vehicles by providing training on their safe operation. Ensures seven-day/week team coverage to provide for necessary irrigation system response, repairs and maintenance.

An excellent benefits package is included (seeherefor a full description of the benefits package):

+ 14.2% employer retirement contribution in addition to employee contributions (automatic and immediately vested)

+ Paid parental leave (in addition to FMLA )

+ 11 paid holidays per year plusvacation accruals each month

+ Excellent health insurance options that are both affordable and allow access to care through the University of Utah health system

+ Tuition reduction for employees and family members

+ Options for short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and HSA / FSA savings plans are available

+ Free public transportation pass (seehere for more information)

Other perks of working at Red Butte Garden, a department of the University of Utah:

+ Discounts for campus events and the campus store, as well as campus library privileges.

+ Staff receive a half-price discount on Garden classes, an employee discount in our gift shop, advance registration opportunities for kids camps and concerts, and two free concert tickets for our Outdoor Concert series.

+ Staff are provided work shirts and gloves, and on-the-job training.

Red Butte Garden is accessible via several bus routes that stop in Research Park and at the University Medical Center, as well as the Trax Red line, followed by a short walk or on-demand university campus shuttle. For more information see:

+ **https://commuterservices.utah.edu/uta/**

+ **https://commuterservices.utah.edu/campus-shuttle/**

+ **https://www.redbuttegarden.org/directions/**

Responsibilities

1) Identifies, prioritizes, schedules and implements the performance of maintenance and care for assigned areas. Coordinates personnel schedules and work efforts to ensure care meets established expectations, timelines, and safety guidelines, while avoiding conflict with Garden and private events. Maintains an effective conduit of communication/ collaboration with staff and co-workers from all Garden departments.

2) Interviews, hires, trains and manages full-time and seasonal staff. Ensures staff are trained on garden maintenance expectations and safety guidelines such as the proper operation, use, and maintenance of tools, PPE , and equipment.

3) Ensures timely maintenance and repairs of assigned responsibilities, that meet excellent horticultural, functional, and aesthetic expectations, and maintains current knowledge of best maintenance practices by researching current care requirements.

+ Irrigation system: including all system components, weather station, irrigation software (WeatherTrac) programing, scheduling and updates, routine inspections, troubleshooting and diagnosis. Coordinates with respective Horticulturists to ensure supplemental water applied to Garden landscapes and turf meets requirements for thriving plantings, while minimizing waste. Assists with the design of new irrigation systems, reviews construction documents, and provides installation oversight.

+ Equipment: maintains safe operational status of outdoor maintenance equipment, utility carts and trams, including inspections, diagnosis, routine maintenance, and repairs, and the safe disposal of unwanted waste according to UofU guidelines.

+ Turf: including mowing, trimming/edging, aeration, fertilization, weeding, watering, over-seeding/sodding, refuse removal/cleanup after events.

+ Outdoor decorative, drinking, and interactive fountains: including seasonal system startup, shutdown, sanitary and quality standards, and record keeping per the Garden’s Interactive Fountain Management Plan, SLC Dept. of Health requirements, and maintains Certified Pool Operator ( CPO ) certification.

4) Monitors assigned areas for damage from a wide variety of weeds, insects and diseases. When needed, determines and implements control measures following industry best practices, pesticide label requirements, and State and Federal laws and regulations. Coordinates treatment actions to avoid disruption to scheduled Garden and private events. Maintains a current pesticide applicators license.

5) Serves as a resource for professional knowledge for the public and peers; responding to inquiries; providing content for Garden publications, website, interpretive elements; and periodically teach programs or lead Garden tours in areas of expertise. Maintains knowledge of current best maintenance practices.

6) Stays up to date on, and ensures staff are properly trained on, and enforces department and UofU policies and guidelines. Ensures safe operation of motorized equipment and vehicles according to UofU requirements by providing training for Garden staff and volunteers who operate them. In the event of an emergency, may be required to implement safety guidelines following departmental and UofU policy and Emergency Response plan. Serves on the Safety Committee.

7) Performs snow and ice removal operations as necessary to ensure the safety of Garden staff and guests, and in a manner that preserves garden structures, hardscape and plant life. Collectively, snow removal duties must be performed before and during operating hours, seven days/week, including Holidays, after hours for scheduled private events, and when called to work during a University Closed Day, to clear snow before the Garden can be reopened.

8) Implements assigned sections of Fundraiser Plant Sales by providing assistance with organization and setup; ensuring excellent customer service; and takedown after the events, and all other duties required for a successful event.

9) Reports and coordinates preventative and routine maintenance, including potential safety concerns, to/with other responsible parties, to ensure the continuous safe condition and functioning of the Garden, its infrastructure and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related area or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Four to six years of progressively more responsible management experience. Background knowledge of hiring department’s area of specialization in order to analyze, plan and draw conclusions for recommendations to superiors. Demonstrated leadership skills in planning and directing employees and processes in order to effectively monitor and develop subordinates and to ensure the smooth operation of department. Completion of provided supervisory training within one year of employment may be required. Master’s degree in a related area may be preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

+ A Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Turf Management, or related field or equivalent, with emphasis in turf management, underground irrigation systems, and landscape maintenance equipment

+ At least three years’ experience in irrigation system maintenance, diagnosis, repair, and installation (Without a related Bachelor’s degree, at least 5 years related experience is required)

+ Three years’ experience maintaining, diagnosing and repairing equipment common to the trade

+ Familiarity with the growing requirements turf, able to identify a wide variety of weeds, insects, and diseases, and ability to determine and implement appropriate treatment

+ A Utah Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, or ability to obtain within first six months of employment

+ A Registered Pool Operator permit or ability to obtain within the first year of employment

+ Able to safely and proficiently operate all equipment and tools common to the trade, including but not limited to vehicles, tractors, mowers, snowplows, lifts, chain saws, trimmers, etc.

+ Able to safely and effectively perform all physical tasks essential to the position and to work safely in inclement conditions, such as heat, cold, precipitation, etc.

+ Demonstrated human relations skills; including effective written and oral communication

+ Able to read/interpret blueprints, equipment manuals, sketches, diagrams, etc.

+ Commitment to provide excellent customer service and maintain a consistent professional demeanor/presence

+ Experience working in a public garden

+ Advanced degree in Horticulture or Turf Management

+ Certification in Vertebrate Animal and/or Surface Water pesticide applicator categories.

**Type** Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.