Grounds Keeper

Job Description

Position Overview:

This position has complete responsibility for performing grounds maintenance jobs at the main campus and various university properties in efforts to keep campus grounds safe and beautiful throughout the year including turf maintenance, plant and tree care, and irrigation. This position is considered an entry-level groundskeeper position.

Essential Duties and Functions:

Turf maintenance and equipment maintenance tasks (i.e. mowing, edging and trimming).

Perform regular gardening equipment maintenance.

Avenue of the Oaks field maintenance to include: seeding, mowing, and insect control such as ants in the fields.

Maintain irrigation systems for proper water distribution to various landscapes including installation, maintenance and repair (e.g. repairs to valves, pipes, sprinkler heads) at all university properties

Maintain grounds to include: watering grass, flowers, and shrubs, transplanting/planting sod, flowers, shrubs, and trees, weeding flower and shrub beds, weeding, litter removal, and general equipment maintenance.

Removal of trash and debris at all locations. Areas include parking lots, sidewalks, handicap ramps, roadways.

Sprinkler emergency repair work on a 24 hour 365 day on call bases at all locations.

Open, complete, and close out work orders in the SchoolDude system, enter time worked, and order materials.

Other duties as assigned

Education/Experience:

GED or high school diploma; minimum 6 months of related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Prefer prior exposure to irrigation systems (sprinkler repair) and caring for plants.

Herbicide, pesticide application license helpful, but not required

Physical stamina and mobility including ability to reach, kneel and bend

Ability to lift, push and pull required load (usually about 100lbs)

Basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office

In addition to regular work schedule, must be available to work on call for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Supervision:

No supervisory responsibilities.

Certifications, licenses and registration:

Competencies:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Judgment- Make timely decisions.

Motivation- Demonstrate persistence and overcome obstacles

Quality- apply feedback to improve performance; monitor own work to ensure quality.

Safety and Security- Report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment and materials properly.

Attendance/Punctuality- Consistently at work and on time; arrive at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability- ; take responsibility for own actions; keep commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; commits to working additional hours when necessary to reach goals; complete task on time or notify appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Initiative - Volunteer readily; undertake self-development activities; seek increased responsibilities;

Attention to Detail - Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness

Customer focus - look for ways to improve and promote quality and customer satisfaction

Listening skills - Follow instructions, responds to management directions

Planning and organizing – Plan tasks to increase efficiency and effectiveness; Ask for and offers help when needed.

Team work – Able to work in a group and collaborate with team members

Integrity – Possess high work ethics

Honesty – Communicate facts to the supervisors and direct reports

Communication - Able to communicate politely and professionally with the university community

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.