Maintenance Utility - Grounds (full-time Union)

Grounds Maintenance Utility

The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. The Henry Ford provides unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories, and lives from America's traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Our purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be part of this legacy and take it forward and that aligns with our core values of being Welcoming, Curious, Authentic, and Passionate.

The Grounds Maintenance Utility position performs a variety of tasks to maintain the cleanliness, safety, and appearance of outdoor grounds, landscaped areas, facilities, and equipment. This role supports routine groundskeeping operations, operates heavy machinery and lifts, assists with special projects, and provides labor as needed for completion of assigned tasks.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Maintain lawns, gardens, fields, and landscaped areas, including mowing, edging, trimming, raking, watering, fertilizing, plowing and planting
• Remove debris, litter, trash and fallen branches from walkways, parking lots, and outdoor areas
• Operate and maintain all grounds equipment such as mowers, trimmers, blowers, weed eaters, hedge trimmers, and utility vehicles
• Operate heavy machinery and aerial lifts, including skid steers, tractors, front-end loaders, boom lifts, scissor lifts, snowplows and any other large equipment assigned for grounds maintenance, snow removal and project work
• Perform safe setup, operation, and shutdown procedures for all heavy machinery and aerial lifts
• Assist and maintain irrigation operation, performing system checks, including repairs, and making daily, seasonal and program adjustments
• Perform basic landscape tasks such as mulching, pruning shrubs, and removing weeds
• Perform seasonal tasks such as snow removal, ice control, leaf removal, and storm cleanup
• Set up and break down equipment for special events, outdoor activities, and daily programs
• Inspect grounds and report hazards, damage, or repair needs to supervisors
• Follow all safety protocols and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Valid driver's license required (CDL preferred but not required)
• Eighteen (18) years or older
• Experience in commercial groundskeeping, landscaping, outdoor labor, or equipment operation preferred
• Basic understanding of lawn care, landscaping practices, and safe equipment use

Preferred Licenses/Certifications:

• Certification in aerial lift operation (e.g., boom lift or scissor lift certification)
• Heavy equipment operator certification or documented training
• Pesticide Applicator License (if duties include chemical application)
• CPR/First Aid certification is a plus

Special Skills:

• Strong work ethic and reliability
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of safe heavy-equipment and lift operation
• Ability to follow instructions and work independently or as part of a team
• Basic mechanical skills for minor equipment maintenance
• Good communication and safety awareness
• Proven ability to build positive relationships with others
• Commitment to and enthusiasm for the Henry Ford's mission, vision, values and service standards

Physical / Mental / Environmental:

Physical: Standing, Walking: Typical. Lifting, carrying, and pushing: Occasional, up to 100 lbs. Tolerance for hot and cold temperatures preferred. Unless noted here, other physical requirements are minimal or not applicable. Ability to safely operate heavy machinery and aerial lifts. Ability to operate and maintain light grounds equipment and tools

Vision: Normal

Mental: Observation, analysis, interpretation, decision making, and multi-tasking. Ability to read guest needs and interests and respond appropriately. Should be able to work under pressure and around large crowds. Willingness to discuss sensitive historical topics and challenging themes with a diverse range of guests.

Environment: Must be able to work outdoors in all seasons (including sunny and inclement weather) as necessary. Non-air-conditioned interiors. Flexibility with on-call scheduling and availability as needed during evenings, weekends, and short-notice situations.

Please note that this job description is subject to modifications at any time to meet the evolving requirements of our institution.

Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds will attract the best ideas to THF and help us shape a more vibrant future. By honoring and celebrating people's diversity, THF can bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work and community. Achieving diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is a continuous process, which, we believe, will contribute to a sustainable and inclusive world. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify with or belong to marginalized communities.

It is the policy of The Henry Ford to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity including but not limited to based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This Policy applies to all of our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.