Grounds Maintenance Worker

Job Summary The Grounds Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintaining the grounds of the Town of Bluffton, including parks, roadways, sidewalks, parking surfaces, docks, and boat landings to ensure they are safe, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. Essential Job Functions Perform all aspects of landscape and grounds maintenance and installation, including pond maintenance. Operate powered equipment such as zero‑turn mowers, tractors, twin‑axle vehicles, chainsaws, weed‑eaters, blowers, string trimmers, and edgers. Execute landscape and irrigation maintenance and installation. Conduct clean‑ups, leaf and debris removal, brush removal, weed pulling, digging, trimming, pruning, edging, mulching, raking, and blowing. Conduct regular inspections of grounds to identify and address issues such as plant diseases, pest infestations, and hazardous conditions. Report any safety hazards or maintenance needs for grounds features. Plant and transplant flowers, shrubs, and trees. Use hand tools such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, hedge and brush trimmers, and axes. Water lawns, trees, and plants using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans. Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, and other grounds features. Operate and perform preventive maintenance on all equipment used to perform job duties. Ensure grounds are safe, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. Learn and apply new techniques and procedures to improve grounds maintenance and installation. Provide excellent customer service skills. Adhere to The Town of Bluffton’s safety policy to ensure the public and co‑workers remain safe while performing job duties. Assist in maintenance of all Department equipment, including vehicles. Operate vehicles and light equipment such as ½‑ to 2‑ton trucks, dump trucks, forklifts, and trailers. Sow, mow grass; plant, prune, and trim trees, shrubs, and bushes. Apply pesticides and herbicides in accordance with safety guidelines and regulations. Maintain an orderly and clean storage area. Gather and remove litter and trash from grounds around the town. Cleans and stocks restrooms as needed. Cleans and maintains vehicle and equipment as directed. Digs up and back‑fills meters, meter boxes, valves, irrigation components, and service lines for location, maintenance, and/or repair. Cleans and restores job sites to original condition, including placing sod, raking, and other landscape functions. Cleans and maintains grounds around utility appurtenances using hand and gas‑powered tools. Performs miscellaneous tasks in support of various Town of Bluffton projects and activities, such as setting up tables, chairs, and equipment for events; moving/relocating furniture and equipment; lifting/moving heavy materials. Documents daily activities in Cartegraph. Performs emergency or disaster‑related duties as requested. Responds to emergency calls after normal working hours and/or is available to work as support service for Town of Bluffton‑hosted events outside of normal work schedule. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of related work experience as a Public Worker I at the Town of Bluffton or an equivalent position at a comparable employer; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. License or Certification: Valid South Carolina driver’s license. Special Requirements: Must pass a physical and drug screen. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the use of common hand and specialized power tools related to job duties. Knowledge of general landscaping and grounds maintenance. Knowledge of the safe use, operation, and preventive maintenance of equipment used in landscaping and grounds maintenance. Skill in the use of assigned equipment. Ability to perform outdoor labor for extended periods, often under unfavorable weather conditions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates. Ability to work independently. Ability to work as a member of a team. Physical Demands & Work Environment The work is medium intensity. The employee is frequently required to apply 30 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, and occasionally required to exert up to 50 pounds of force. The position typically requires balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, kneeling, lifting, manual dexterity, repetitive motion, standing, stooping, speaking and other physical activities outdoors under various weather conditions. The employee is exposed to fumes, airborne particles, chemicals, electricity, vibrations, loud noises, and occasionally high places. Work is performed primarily outdoors. Equal Employment Opportunity The Town of Bluffton commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state, and federal laws. The Town’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination regarding race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, country of national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, ethnicity, or status in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. #J-18808-Ljbffr