Groundskeeper

Title Lead Grounds Maintenance Worker, Housing Division Finance and Administration Department Facility Operations and Planning FLSA Status Non-Exempt Salary Range Grade 9: $18.98/hour Position Summary As a working Lead Grounds Worker, assist the Manager of Housing and Residence Life in scheduling, directing, performing and overseeing the seasonal tasks relating to general upkeep of landscaped and turf areas; roads and walkways; parking lots; lakes, streams, and watersheds; playing fields and recreational facilities; University property; the University housing complex; and minor construction projects. Duties / Responsibilities Assist in planning and coordinating daily work schedules as directed by the Manager of Housing and Residence Life. Assist in determining methods and standards for work, allocating machines and equipment, and assigning tasks to accomplish seasonal programs for all grounds Housing maintenance areas. Supervise the work of vendors, support staff, and student staff in grounds Housing maintenance areas. Work from blueprints, landscape plans, sketches, work orders or verbal instruction to landscape areas and construct outdoor facilities. Coordinate the operation of complex and specialized grounds maintenance equipment to apply herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Maintain inventories, warehouses supplies and equipment pertaining to landscaping, grounds development and maintenance. Coordinate and lead vendors, support staff, and student workers in seeding, sodding, aerating, fertilizing, mowing and trimming of turf areas and removal of trash and debris. Assist in interviewing and selecting applicants for grounds worker position, including student workers, as needed. Assist in the coordination with civic groups and University departments to provide setup support for outdoor events and athletic programs. Prepare and conduct employee 30‑day, 60‑day, 90‑day and annual performance evaluations, as assigned. Inspect and report to the Manager of Housing and Residence Life the condition of grounds and landscaping areas to plan daily work. Coordinate the purchase of equipment and supplies for grounds Housing maintenance areas. Prepare requisitions for purchase of materials and supplies. Act as liaison between vendors and the University Housing complex ensuring best product for best price is achieved. Collect, check, and verify all payroll time sheets for support staff and student workers. Assist in resolving areas of discrepancies when necessary. Plan and develop preventative and regular maintenance programs for recreational areas and athletic fields (i.e. formulating chemical programs involving fertilizing, soil amendments, insecticides, pre‑emergent and post‑emergent). Assist in supervising the maintenance of University roads, walkways, parking lots, and loading docks to include minor paving, patching, grading, ditching, and snow removal. Identify areas where improvements are needed and work with Manager of Housing and Residence Life to seek funding for improvements. Assist certified ground maintenance workers in applying chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides to trees, shrubs and turf. Assist in supervising the maintenance of Housing vehicular equipment to include Housing vehicles, tractors, mowers and towed or mounted equipment i.e. sprayers, spreaders, loaders, plows, discs, blades, aerators, seeders and rollers; hand and powered tools to include saws, augers, trim mowers, week cutters, pruning shears, shovels, and hoes. Coordinate and plan seasonal planting and pruning programs. Tend to minor tree plant diseases. Plan and execute basic landscaping designs and plant selections to achieve erosion control and enhance wildlife habitats. Develop and maintain outdoor facilities to include playing fields, shelter houses, fences, picnic areas, campgrounds, recreational facilities, fishing areas, nature trails, and fences. Instruct employees on safe use of equipment and pesticide applications. Attend seminars and community informational events as required. Other duties as assigned. Required Knowledge and Skills High school diploma/GED. Three years' experience in grounds maintenance work to include the operation of specialized grounds equipment. Ability to obtain certification in application of pesticides and fertilizers within the first 6 months of employment. Ability to read, write, and perform mathematical calculations for mixing chemicals and pesticides. Working knowledge of operating machinery such as riding mowers, skid steers, compact tractors, front loaders, dump trucks, snowplows, etc. Working knowledge of plant species and planting schedules. One year of previous grounds leadership experience. Valid driver's license required. Preferred Knowledge and Skills Experience working in large complex grounds. Functional Requirements Position requires frequent physical exertion and ability to work outdoors in various types of weather. Ongoing physical access to departments and facilities throughout the University for extended periods of time. Continuous independent physical access to departments and facilities within assigned areas averaging 30,000 square feet. Frequent independent physical manipulation of loads of up to 20 pounds for extended periods of time. Occasionally independent physical manipulation of loads of up to 50 pounds. Occasional physical manipulation of loads up to 100 pounds with the assistance of a co‑worker. Frequent bending, stooping, twisting, reaching, crouching, climbing or otherwise positioning oneself to access, examine, and clean objects and areas in various configurations and at various heights, ranging from ground level to eight feet high. Intermittent use of a ladder to reach heights from eight to twenty feet. Ongoing independent physical manipulation of cleaning equipment and machinery-including broom and floor care machines such as vacuum, buffer, scrubber, extractor, and special purpose machines-when maintaining floors, steps, entrances, and halls. Ongoing manipulation of small objects and hand tools for extended periods of time to perform cleaning tasks. Frequent use of computer systems to receive and respond to emails and use CMMS system. Continuous independent assessment of assigned area to evaluate for necessary actions and improvements. Continuous independent assessment of cleaning equipment performance to identify defects. Ongoing receipt and accurate understanding of instructions and other communications provided by supervisors. Ongoing presentation of a positive demeanor while interacting and cooperating with University employees, students, and visitors. Ongoing selective attention to assigned tasks for prolonged periods of time. Regular Work Hours / Travel Requirements Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. Occasional irregular or prolonged hours may be necessary to complete assigned responsibilities. Position requires extended hours at anytime of the day or night when necessary to complete the responsibilities to remove snow and ice or to perform clean up work after severe weather or other emergencies. This position is considered essential. When the University closes due to inclement weather or another emergency, this position is required to report to work to perform snow and/or ice removal or other clean‑up work following severe weather or other emergencies. Travel within University and occasional travel to off‑site University locations using a University vehicle is required. Benefits Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short‑term and long‑term disability insurance plans. Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 7% of annual salary. Full tuition fee waiver for employees/75% for spouses and dependent children. Accrue up to 10 paid vacation days per fiscal year – accrual increases after 4, 7, and 11 years of service. EEO Statement USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr