Grounds Keeper Maintenance

General Description:
The Grounds Worker performs semi-skilled work in the maintenance, care, and modification of campus grounds and landscapes. The work includes the operation of electrically-powered and gasoline-powered groundskeeping equipment and machines, the use of small hand and power tools or equipment in planting, cultivating, and trimming grounds and landscaping. The Grounds Worker 1 also performs maintenance on groundskeeping equipment and tools. The Grounds Worker 1 changes light bulbs, pressure washes surfaces, paints walls, woodwork, furniture, and equipment, makes minor carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs, delivers supplies, materials, and equipment as needed.

Distinguishing Features:
The work in this class involves maintaining grounds and facilities. Employees in this class normally work under the supervision of the maintenance supervisor, but their work is subject to frequent inspection and review.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Mows lawns and trims grass around walks, flower beds, and walls
Prunes shrubs and trees to shape and improve growth
Removes damaged leaves, branches, and twigs using mowers, tractors, and other hand and power tools
Collects and disposes of outside trash and garbage
Provides proper upkeep of hard surfaces, storm drains, and other grounds features
Lays out and tends flower beds and other decorative vegetation
Plants, fertilizes, waters and uses herbicides and insecticides to maintain grass, flowers, trees, and shrubs
Removes snow and ice from walks and driveways
Spreads salt, picks up litter, rakes, and removes leaves from campus
Maintains driveways and parking lots
Repairs fences, gates, walls, irrigation systems, walks and outbuildings using carpentry, masonry, pressure washers, and painting tools
Operates trucks and tractors in grounds preparation and maintenance work
Assist with maintenance and repairs of equipment, all buildings, structures and grounds
Assists with plumbing, masonry, carpentry, painting, and minor electrical work
Arranges facilities for special events and checks for safety hazards
Attends training programs (classroom and virtual) as designated
Complies with all campus safety policies and procedures
Applies all applicable OSHA and related safety requirements to all assigned work
Reports all accident and injuries in a timely manner
Performs related tasks as required

Essential Job Functions
This is medium to heavy work requiring the exertion of 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently and up to 20 pounds of force constantly. Work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, and grasping. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal and high noise levels. Visual activity is required for use in measuring devices, operation of machines and operation of motor vehicles or equipment. The Grounds Worker 1 will be subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. Tasks are regularly performed with exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualification
Graduate of an accredited high school or equivalent.
Experience equivalent to one year of full-time labor and trades work including some routine grounds maintenance work.

Special Knowledge/Skills
General knowledge of tools, materials, and equipment used in general grounds and/or maintenance work
Knowledge of safety precautions applicable to operating grounds and/or maintenance equipment
Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions

TN Driver Standards
State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:
A valid driver\'s license

Background Verification
Selected applicant(s) will be required to submit to and pass a TBI/FBI background check and fingerprinting, to include Tennessee and Federal criminal history checks, child abuse records, employment verification, and professional/personal reference checks.
Please note that, due to the position being at a school, any discrepancies in the background check or fingerprinting report will result in the candidate being disqualified from consideration.