Groundskeeper

Groundskeeper

The Groundskeeper within the City's Parks Division performs responsible, routine work in the maintenance and cleaning of grounds in city parks, recreational facilities, schools, right-of-way, and/or the Downtown Mall. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Groundskeeper Supervisor. The hiring amount for this position is between $19.51 to $23.97 an hour ($40,580.80 - $49,857.60), in accordance with the Labor & Trades Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan:
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
• Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.

Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Maintains parks, schools, downtown mall, right-of-way, and/or recreational facilities, by performing a variety of activities including but not limited to: mowing and weeding grass, planting and mulching, and planting trees; dragging and lining ballfields, preparing fields after the season by adding dirt and cutting sod, and grass removal off field; fertilizing and reseeding turf; pruning and trimming trees and shrubs, limbs and felling trees as needed; finding and digging urn graves, and marking areas for full graves and head stones; managing fallen leaves; clearing and removing snow and ice off walkways; clears and removes snow from walkways, parks and other assigned areas; cleaning up trash and debris.
• Operates city vehicle in the performance of duties; operates and maintains basic equipment engaged in routine maintenance and construction projects.
• Completes all work according to maintenance standards and ensures proper care in the use and upkeep of equipment assigned, reporting issues and needs to supervisor.
• Follows safety regulations and standard procedures, adhering to checklists and following detailed instructions for task completion.
• Solves simple problems and actively seeks guidance when appropriate.
• May be required to work weekends, nights, holidays or to be called back to work in weather or non-weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties: Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High School diploma or GED AND some related experience in groundskeeping, turf maintenance, landscaping, or related area.
• OR
• At least 2 years of related experience in groundskeeping, turf maintenance, landscaping, or related area.
• OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Obtain VDOT Flagger Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Obtain Registered Technician Pesticide License within 12 months of hire.
• Must obtain and maintain a Virginia driver's license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, physical, and drug screen.

Job Knowledge: General knowledge of the maintenance, grounds, and manual tasks of the area assigned. General knowledge of the use of common hand tools and specialized power tools required in the work. General knowledge of the safe use and operation and preventive maintenance of mechanical equipment required in the work. Basic knowledge of occupational hazards and safety requirements of the trade.

Reading: Basic: ability to understand the meaning of commonly used multi-syllable words and simple paragraphs. Comprehends simple written instructions, work orders, construction plans, drawings, signs, and notices.

Writing: Basic: writing skill to write and provide simple letters, information, documentation, and/or record on maintenance needs, repairs, and/or series of numbers and addresses.

Math: Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Communication Skills: Routine: Regular & routine interaction involving providing or exchanging basic information, explain issues and concerns, listen to others and to identify maintenance and repair issues or problems. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and others.

Independence and Decision-Making: Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.

Technical Skills: Basic: uses standard technical skills appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities to provide preventive and routine maintenance, construction, and repair. May need entry level skill in Word, Excel and/or departmental software.

Fiscal Responsibilities: No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory duties. May occasionally guide volunteers or seasonal employees.

Other Characteristics: Working closely with others as part of a team. Performs duties under sometimes strict time constraints. Subject to weather and non-weather emergency response, call backs, and standby call with minimum response time requirements. May require a non-traditional schedule. May require employees to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends and/or additional hours outside normal schedule.

Physical Demands: Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Ability to perform manual labor including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, handling, grasping, feeling, standing for sustained periods of time, and moving about parks and construction sites. Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware: Typically requires the use of manual and mechanical equipment related to maintenance, grounds, and repair; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment: Work is performed outside where there may be exposure to vibrations, moving mechanical parts, outdoor weather conditions, chemicals/hazardous waste, blood-borne pathogens, electrical hazards, inadequate lighting, confined spaces, uneven terrain, fumes/airborne particles and fuels. The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard