GROUNDSKEEPER

About Children's Home Association of Illinois (CHAIL):

CHAIL is a youth, family, and community focused 501(c)(3) organization with multiple locations and 450 staff, located in Peoria, IL. For over 160 years CHAIL has been helping the kids and families who need it most. Children's Home Association of Illinois (CHAIL) is the largest social service agency for youth and families in downstate Illinois. The services we provide don't just impact the individual child, they create positive ripple effects within their immediate family, neighborhood, community, and world by providing an opportunity to thrive.


Here at CHAIL, employees experience a "People First - Culture of Care" working atmosphere. From the most tenured staff to the newest team member, everyone is welcomed into a community that prioritizes diversity, equity, wellness, belonging, and good health. Starting with our CEO/President and migrating to every employee, this agency takes pride in taking care of each other. We believe if our employees are cared for, they can better live out the mission of the agency which is to help the kids and families who need it most. By putting our people first at CHAIL, they have the opportunity to share their expertise, talents, and passions with clients as they are changing the lives of the kids who will change the world. Our employees at CHAIL will tell you that they love working for the agency because they love what the agency does!


About Position:

The Groundskeeper is responsible for the year-round appearance and upkeep of the grounds at all agency properties, including campuses, program sites, and residential homes. The grounds are the first thing clients, families, staff, and visitors see, and the Groundskeeper's work directly supports a safe, welcoming, and well-cared-for environment. During the growing season, duties center on landscape bed maintenance, care of new plantings, and regular grounds policing. During the winter months, the Groundskeeper provides snow and ice removal and completes maintenance tasks assigned by the Facilities Manager, ensuring a full and productive workload throughout the year. The Groundskeeper must be willing to take a great deal of direction from the Facilities Manager and be flexible around schedules and duties.


Job Function/Responsibilities:

• Maintains landscape beds, including weeding, mulching, pruning, and seasonal cleanup
• Waters and cares for new plantings and landscape installations to ensure their establishment and long-term health
• Polices all grounds on a consistent schedule, removing litter, debris, and fallen branches to maintain a clean, welcoming appearance for clients, staff, and visitors
• Empties exterior trash and keeps building entrances, walkways, and signage areas clean, including pressure washing as needed
• Inspects and maintains playgrounds and outdoor amenities, including raking play surfaces and upkeep of outdoor furniture and fencing
• Waters and stakes young trees, reports hazardous limbs, controls weeds in pavement cracks and hardscapes, and keeps storm drains and gutters clear
• Monitors the work of mowing, lawn treatment, and irrigation vendors and reports quality issues or needed repairs to the Facilities Manager for follow-up
• Performs leaf removal and prepares grounds and equipment for seasonal transitions
• Provides snow and ice removal for walkways, entrances, and parking areas during winter months
• Completes assigned maintenance and preventative maintenance tasks during the winter season and other slow periods, as directed by the Facilities Manager
• Inspects grounds, walkways, and parking areas regularly and reports safety hazards, such as trip hazards or drainage problems, immediately to a supervisor
• Maintains grounds equipment, tools, and supplies and reports any shortages or repair needs immediately to the Facilities Manager
• Follows all required safe working practices when dealing with equipment and chemicals
• Assists with setup and teardown for outdoor agency events and site visits
• Assists the maintenance team and on-site contractors as needed
• Is continuously productive, seeking out additional tasks during any slow times
• Responds to all duties as assigned by the Facilities Manager or Maintenance Lead

Qualifications:

• High school education preferred
• Previous grounds care, landscaping, or horticulture experience and/or specialized training preferred
• Illinois pesticide applicator license a plus, but not required
• Continues to expand knowledge of techniques through formal training and on the job learning from the Facilities Manager and other Maintenance staff
• Must be able to read written instructions
• Must be able to communicate well in writing or speaking
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds
• Ability to stand and walk for most of the working day
• Physical body dexterity allows bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, etc. when performing grounds and maintenance tasks
• Ability to work outdoors in various temperatures and seasonal conditions, including summer heat and winter cold
• Personal vehicle, valid Illinois Driver's License, and proof of full insurance coverage

Benefits:

• PTO (paid-time-off) accrual 3 weeks first year (full-time)
• 9 paid holidays
• 1 floating holiday
• Sick Leave accrual 12 days per year (full-time)
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401K with company match
• Company paid life insurance, STD and LTD
• Supplemental life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program

CHAIL 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, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.