Grounds Worker

Grounds Worker

The job of Grounds Worker is done for the purpose of maintaining safe, attractive, and sanitary grounds areas for students, staff, and the public.

Training, Education, & Qualifications:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Must be able to complete on-line computerized training
• Must have a record free of criminal violations that would prohibit public school employment
• Must be able to understand and follow multi-step oral and written instructions
• Must be able to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios
• Must be able to operate and perform routine maintenance on grounds keeping equipment
• Must be able to read and interpret manuals, specifications, product labels, etc.
• Must be able to read, understand, and comply with Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Must establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of the work
• Must be (or must be qualified to be) a licensed Operator with the State of Illinois Department of Agriculture to apply restricted use pesticides
• Preferred experience in landscape maintenance – knowledge of methods and techniques of planting, transplanting, cultivating, pruning and maintaining a variety of lawns, ground cover, plants, shrubs, hedges and trees; soil preparation and enrichment; methods and equipment used in weed and insect control and treating plant diseases; installation, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems; use and maintenance of commonly used hand and power landscaping tools and equipment; shop mathematics; safe work methods and safety regulations pertaining to the work.

Supervised By: Director of Facilities

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and to reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move over 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this classification, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with District staff, other organizations and the public. The employee is occasionally required to deal with dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Mow, trim, edge, fertilize, aerate and water grass areas.
• Weed, prune, mulch, feed, fertilize, and irrigate plants, shrubs, small trees and landscape beds.
• Under supervision, prepare and apply hazardous chemicals for pest and disease control on trees, shrubs, bushes and turf.
• Install sod, re-seed or over-seed grass areas when necessary.
• Monitor health and appearance, diagnose and treat pest, disease and weed problems.
• Operate a variety of hand tools such as rakes, shovels, hoes, clippers, brooms and other maintenance tools.
• Operate a variety of power tools and equipment such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, blowers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, disc trimmers, pesticide sprayer, air compressor, jackhammer, irrigation trencher, sod cutter, generator, drills, grinders, etc.
• Operate light, medium and heavy duty motorized vehicles, such as drivable lifts, platform lifts and electric carts, pickup trucks, tractors, mowers, ATVs, trailers and similar equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance on vehicles, equipment, and tools; make minor adjustments and repairs; report the need for major repairs and maintenance.
• Perform installation, operation, repair and maintenance of irrigation systems for landscaped areas, including valves, irrigation controllers and backflow devices; inspects and services irrigation systems to ensure safe and proper operation; install, service, repair and inspect backflow devises; dig trenches and valve vaults; perform semi-skilled plumbing maintenance work; plan, sketch and retrofit the layout of new and existing sprinkler systems; perform semi-skilled electrical maintenance and repairs as it pertains to irrigation system controller and valves.
• Establish irrigation and fertilization schedules in collaboration with the Director of Facilities.
• Clean and maintain landscaped areas, paved areas, storm water drains, fencing, roadways, paths and walks; pick-up litter, garbage and organic debris from landscaped areas.
• Prepare soil for planting; transplant seedlings, shrubs and trees.
• Perform tree trimming and removal.
• Perform snow and ice removal from parking lots, roadways, school entryways and walkways (Overtime may be required for snow removal, emergency repairs or special events.)
• Perform gas and arc welding and fabrication.
• Trap and dispose of rodents.
• Remove graffiti from District-owned structures, facilities and private property.
• Winterize facilities during freezing conditions.
• Maintain, repair and prepare athletic facilities, fields, synthetic turf, bleachers and equipment.
• Measure and mark/paint lines for athletic fields.
• Request materials, supplies, equipment, and/or support personnel to help completing assignments in a timely manner.
• Provide care and clean up on outside athletic facilities.
• Perform utility duties such as loading, hauling and unloading of furniture, materials and supplies.
• Lock up doors, windows and keep the building secure during school hours and when the building has no events.
• Perform preventative maintenance on building's roof gutters and drains.
• Assist Custodians, Maintenance workers, Security workers, and other personnel for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.
• Perform other job duties as assigned for the purpose of supporting the educational mission of the school district.

General Responsibilities:

• Observe safe work practices, including maintaining storage areas in safe condition.
• Supervise students in cafeterias, hallways, and emergency situations, and communicate issues to the administration.
• Review email daily.
• Report any unauthorized persons and/or security concerns.
• Keep Director of Facilities and/or the administration informed about ongoing activities/emerging issues.
• Document all injuries that require treatment.
• Take the initiative to perform routine responsibilities independently.
• Assist other staff as needed to deal with unexpected or urgent situations.
• Monitor facility conditions.
• Report suspected problems and/or unsafe conditions (e.g., unusual odors, discolorations, noises, leaks, etc.).
• Comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Ensure that supplies are labeled and stored safely.
• Complete/Participate in occupational safety and health training programs as directed.
• Complete/Participate in District training programs and initiatives as directed.
• Be punctual and dependable with all aspects of work duties.
• Display a positive attitude toward students, employees, and the public.
• Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee regularly works in extreme outside weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts, and frequently works on slippery and uneven surfaces. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, vibration, and street/road traffic. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The noise level is frequently loud. Some positions may be subject to weekend and/or rotating shifts and 24-hour call-out.

Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, veteran status, or the presence of a non-job-related medical condition, or disability. In compliance with the immigration reform and control act of 1986, District 203 intends to hire only individuals authorized to work in the U.S.