Head of Grounds

Position Type: Custodial/Maintenance/ Grounds Worker Date Posted: 2/27/2026 Location: Southwest Local School District Job Title: Head of Grounds Reports to: Director of Operations Pay Rate: $18.65/hour Hours: 40 hours/week Southwest Local School District, situated in the southwestern corner of Ohio, is composed of: Harrison Elementary School, Miami Whitewater Elementary School, Crosby Elementary School, the Southwest Early Childhood Learning Center, Harrison Junior School and William Henry Harrison High School. The District has achieved an "Excellent" rating from the Ohio Department of Education for the past four years and each of our schools have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with Blue Ribbon Awards for Excellence in Education. Our Mission: "Academic and Social Growth for all students, every day!" Our Motto: "Excellence through Relationships" Our Core Values: Trust, Respect, Ownership and Leadership Southwest Local School District believes in providing the best possible learning environment by hiring, developing and retaining quality personnel. We believe that education needs to take a leadership role in improving society by enhancing activities/programs that help develop well‑rounded students who can cope with everyday pressures. We're looking for a dedicated leader to serve as our Head of Grounds and take pride in maintaining a safe, welcoming, and well‑kept school environment. Job Summary The Groundskeeper will be responsible for the care of all athletic fields, outdoor facilities, and other district property by performing the following duties: Duties and Responsibilities Collaborate with district maintenance personnel and athletic director for the care of athletic fields and other district property, making repairs and providing preventative maintenance as needed. Maintain a well‑kept appearance of all outside areas as well as the Activity Center by emptying trash, cleaning up sticks and other debris, sweeping courts, and other duties as assigned. Keep all motorized vehicles, field equipment, and other district and booster owned property used for dragging fields, lining fields, and other ground maintenance in good working condition. Collaborate with district and building administrators / teachers / staff to successfully execute the improvement plans in the area of facilities and maintenance. Participate in planning, design and construction of site upgrades, renovations, enhancements or new construction – assuring compliance with related regulatory standards and permit requirements. Work cooperatively & maintain communication with building principals and external contractors to discuss issues, resolve problems, and exchange information assuring compliance with contract specifications. Facility Leadership Provide direction & oversight in the area of facilities and maintenance programs by: Work with district administration, building principals, and other staff members on matters relating to facilities and maintenance of district‑owned property and any concerns that may arise in this area. Oversee completion of required documentation and reports such as inventories, inspections, repairs, or warranties, particularly as it pertains to athletic property such as bleachers and equipment. Attend various internal and external meetings relating to facility construction, renovation, and maintenance. Coordinate with current contractor and district staff regarding snow removal. Lead snow removal on main campus, walkways, maintain snow blowers and plow equipment, manage salt supply, and distribute supplies to schools, etc. Respond to emergency situations and matters of concern regarding facility or equipment issues in a timely manner. Maintain a clean and organized working environment at each building, keeping all vehicles clean, properly maintained, and in good working order. Work with district maintenance personnel to make sure all playing surfaces are up to code and safe. Groom and repair turf surfaces, manage irrigation of athletic spaces, and enter work orders for assistance with necessary repairs. Communicate and collaborate with the athletic directors and coaches to ensure that fields are ready for play in accordance with scheduled games and practices. Clean up grounds after home games (or Monday morning following weekend home games) including the emptying of trash and areas in and around stadiums/fields. Empty trash around campus and at bus lot weekly. Paint and line all fields for practices and games as determined by the AD with input from coaches and district / building administration, keeping an inventory of all necessary materials and restocking as needed. Repair bleachers, lockers, weight room equipment, and other athletic facilities as necessary. This includes removing, cutting, and installing new seats in Activity Center bleachers. Assist in the set up of all athletic events, including the opening of bleachers, set up of tables / chairs, set‑up and testing of scoreboards, and other sport‑specific installation and set‑up that may be needed for games / meets. Hang all decorative and sponsorship banners for each athletic season and / or event. Water, seed / sod, and maintain the fields for athletic events, as well as fill‑in dirt in lower‑lying areas to prevent potential hazards during play. Building Maintenance Work Collaborate with skilled maintenance personnel to provide assistance on projects and learn about aspects of building maintenance with which you may not already be familiar as schedules allow (particularly during winter months). Assist in the identification and repair of facility issues as they arise, via emergency call or the current work order system, prioritizing work as needed with student and staff safety at the forefront of every decision. Notify district administration of any present or potential dangers to staff / students. Assist in the completion of preventative maintenance on all equipment used for grounds / athletics to ensure maximum life expectancy for any district owned property. Make repairs that you are able to complete on your own or with minimal assistance (replace items such as light bulbs, ceiling tiles, and door stops) and provide assistance to district maintenance personnel as needed. Collaborate with AD, building principals, and district administration to plan and execute projects such as pressure wash, strip, and paint items on the secondary campus, both academic and athletic in nature. Monitor and reduce expenditures where possible via seeking multiple bids, reducing work completed by outside contracts, and other strategies that are more cost‑efficient. Help coordinate any and all building projects, from providing input on systems to permitting processes as needed. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and Experience Licensure, experience, and training in the areas of electric, plumbing, lawn care, and / or general maintenance recommended. Other Skills and Abilities Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coaches, administrators, and the community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely. Ability to perform duties with awareness of district requirements and BOE policies. Must have excellent organizational and time management skills. Experienced and proficient in use of technology preferred (email, work orders, etc.). Excellent verbal (including listening) and non‑verbal communication skills. Must be able to work independently. Pushing the agenda and goals of the school district is imperative. Benefits Southwest Local School District participates in the Southwest Ohio Organization for School Health (SWOOSH). SWOOSH is a health and wellness consortium for school districts and government agencies that come together to provide stability and quality access to health care and benefits to all eligible members. Full‑time employees have access to the benefits below: Retirement Health Insurance Dental Insurance – 100% paid by District Vision Insurance Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program Paid Time Off Southwest Local School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment. Postings current as of 2/28/2026 9:29:12 PM CST. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Greater Cincinnati School Application Consortium