Equipment Mechanic

Job Description

Red Butte Garden is seeking an Equipment Mechanic for our Irrigation, Turf, Equipment team. The purpose of this position is to lead in implementing equipment maintenance and routine care for the Garden’s various vehicles and motorized equipment; Greenhouse vents, motors, and gears; promotes safety practices, and maintenance of the Garden’s lawns. Also assists with irrigation system maintenance, outdoor fountain maintenance and snow removal.

Must work as a functional team with assigned supervisor in providing excellent care for the Garden and ensuring maintenance activities are performed effectively, safely, and without impact to Garden or private events by coordinating with appropriate personnel and departments as needed. Supports the supervisor in providing leadership and training to seasonal staff and volunteers as assigned.

About Us

Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West, a regional center for plant-based science education, conservation and research, and cultural enrichment. As part of a state arboretum that encompasses the University of Utah campus, the Garden cultivates an essential urban forestland of over 2,000 trees in 456 different taxa. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 20 acres of developed gardens, and approximately five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive 80-acre natural area.

Community-funded, the Garden is renowned for its diverse plant collections, themed gardens, and spectacular mountain setting, with nearly 600,000 springtime blooming bulbs, award-winning horticulture-based educational programs, and an iconic outdoor summer concert series. Guests come to the Garden for a myriad of reasons: to connect with nature, to participate in cultural programs, concerts, and wellness activities, and to attend lectures, classes and workshops. Innovative children’s education programs promote environmental sustainability, and educate the next generation of botanists and naturalists, while engaging classes inspire adults to remain lifelong learners.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Performs and supports the supervisor to identify, prioritize, and implement all maintenance and repair objectives and ensure work efforts meet established expectations, best practices, timelines, and safety guidelines, while avoiding conflict with Garden and private events. Maintains an effective conduit of communication/collaboration with staff and co-workers.

2. Performs and supports the supervisor to maintain a well-functioning routine/ preventative maintenance program on the Garden’s equipment, including vehicles, tractors, utility carts (diesel & electric), passenger shuttles, zero turn mower, snow blowers, plows, ice melt spreaders and a variety of equipment utilized in the care of the Garden.

3. Supports supervisor in providing training for staff and volunteers on the safe operation of motorized equipment in accordance with UofU requirements. Stays up to date on department and UofU policies and guidelines applicable to position expectations/ requirements and assists enforcement of policies and guidelines including but not limited to Safety.

4. Performs and supports the supervisor in maintaining a healthy, aesthetically pleasing, and water wise turf maintenance program. Duties include and are not limited to: mowing, trimming/edging, aeration, fertilization, weeding, watering, seeding, sodding, trash removal, sweeping sidewalks, and maintaining sharp mower blades to ensure a clean cut. Monitors turf for damage from a wide variety of weeds, insects and diseases. When needed, determines and implements control measures following industry best practices.

5. Assists and supports the supervisor to perform routine inspection and preventative maintenance on various other electric or motorized components, such as checking belts, vent and fan motors, pumps, cooling and heating mechanisms, and shutter alignment in the greenhouses; electronic gates, etc.

6. Assists and supports the supervisor to perform routine maintenance and repairs on the Garden’s irrigation systems and other water related systems such as outdoor drinking fountains, decorative fountains, pond diversion system, etc.

7. Assists and supports the supervisor in maintaining the interactive fountain (Children’s Garden) according to the Garden’s Interactive Fountain Management Plan and the SLC Dept. of Health, and maintains Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification.

8. 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.

9. Serves as a resource for professional knowledge in field of expertise for the public and peers, through interacting with Garden guests; responding to inquiries; providing content for Garden publications, website, interpretive elements; assisting Marketing and Communications department with TV or radio spots; and periodically teach programs in areas of expertise. Serves on the Horticulture department safety sub-committee.

10. Implements assigned section(s) 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.

Education and Experience

Department Qualifications:

1. Successful completion of an approved apprenticeship program as a Small Engine Mechanic, or equivalency is preferred but not required for this position that performs light maintenance on landscape maintenance equipment;

2. Well versed in all aspects of landscape maintenance equipment maintenance, such as tractors, mowers, electric utility carts, 2-cycle engines, electric blowers, etc;

3. Two years of progressively more responsible experience;

4. Demonstrated analytical, and trouble shooting skills;

5. Demonstrated human relations skills; including effective written and oral communication skills

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
Production Equipment Maintenance Technician, II: Requires at least 1 year of related experience.
Production Equipment Maintenance Technician, III: Requires 3+ years of related experience.

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Additional Information

Preferences:

1. Related degree focused on equipment maintenance or turf maintenance;

2. Four years of relevant work experience, including performing routine and preventative maintenance on equipment common to the trade;

3. One-year related experience in turf care, including pest identification and treatment;

4. One-year related experience in irrigation system diagnosis, repair, and installation;

5. Must possess a valid Utah driver’s license and proof of insurability;

6. Must obtain a valid Utah State Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License within 6 months of hire;

7. Able to safely and proficiently operate all equipment common to the trade;

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

9. Commitment to provide excellent customer service and maintain a professional demeanor/presence while working near guests;

10. Moderate computer skills, including Microsoft suite, able to work from online maintenance manuals, inventory tracking, and irrigation software.

Application Instructions

APPLICATION LINK: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/200210