Lead Groundskeeper

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Lead Groundskeeper

Employee Classification: Lead Groundskeeper

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-VP Finance & Admin

SubDivision-Department: UNT-Facilities

Department: UNT-Facilities-Gen-152000

Job Location: Denton

Salary: $33,312

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at

Department Summary

First impressions matter! As the department of first impressions, the Grounds department is essential to project the correct image of the University’s longevity, culture, and priorities. Here at UNT, we Mean Green, and we strive to show that in how we as a department tend to our campus. A well-maintained grounds provides social, economic, and environmental benefits to the university, the students, the faculty and staff, and the surrounding community. Grounds maintenance professionals create safe, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing landscapes with these goals at the forefront of all we do.

Position Overview

The Facilities Department at the University of North Texas is seeking to hire a Lead Groundskeeper to join our team.
Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
*Works under the direction of Grounds Supervisor to apply herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers to the campus grounds and sports fields.
*Operates and performs preventative maintenance on equipment such as tractors, spreaders, aerators, sprayers, and other landscape related equipment, for grounds and sports fields.
*Assists with troubleshooting plant health care issues.
*Assists with agronomy product inventory management and storage in accordance with TDA guidelines and regulations.
*Responsible for daily recordkeeping of agronomy applications in compliance with TDA requirements.
*Assists crew leader to ensure all safety and proper horticultural practices are followed.
*Takes proactive measures in addressing problem areas, including making plans, asking for assistance from other teams, and reporting to Crew Leader, Supervisors, or Managers.
*Ensures that all required paperwork is completed in a timely manner, including labor reports, daily completion reports, mileage forms, and others as required.
*Helps Crew Leader ensure that crew members properly follows all break times, lunch times, and work schedules.
*Helps train and supervise new and inexperienced crew members including students.
*Works with crew to ensure all assigned areas and tasks are completed properly and according to the schedule.
*Leads crews or projects as assigned.
*Participates in mowing, trimming, edging, hand weeding, digging, planting, pruning, trash detail, and all other mow and landscape related tasks.
*Participates in inclement weather cleanup including snow, ice, storm events.
*Other duties as assigned.
**This position is considered to be essential personnel, and may require working overtime, which could include nights and weekends as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of related experience or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
* Ability to apply mathematical concepts to complete tasks (example: measuring and mixing chemicals).
* Considerable knowledge of the practices, tools, materials, and machines used in grounds maintenance operations.
* Ability to monitor tasks of others and ensure completion of work.
* Ability to work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
* Knowledge of safety and security precautions appropriate to work performed.
* May operate heavy machinery.

Preferred Qualifications

The preferred candidate will possess the following additional qualifications:
*1 year of experience applying fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides.
*Possession of or ability to obtain Noncommercial Political Pesticide Applicator License from the TDA.
*Three years of landscape or grounds experience.
*One year of leadership experience.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Possession of a valid Texas drivers license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment; ability to drive a vehicle and maintain coverage under University liability insurance policy, if required to drive University vehicles.

Job Duties

• Oversees groundskeepers, mowers and landscape crew. 
• Assigns duties to subordinate employees, reports any employee relations issues to management and trains employees. Trains personnel on installation methods and procedures and proper equipment use. 
• Mixes a variety of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides while following proper application procedures. 
• Supervises and assists grounds personnel in the removal of snow and ice from walks and roadways when necessary. 
• Consistently completes expected duties in a timely manner without constant supervision. Accepts responsibility for own work and follows through on commitments. 
• Supervises construction and care of new landscape beds and installs plants and trees according to landscape blueprints and existing horticultural standards. 
• Promotes Facilities core values of Service, Integrity, and Excellence by conducting oneself in a manner that is respectful, honest, ethical, and customer focused. 
• Committed to maintaining a safe and secure work environment. 
• Demonstrates punctuality and follows policies and procedures for absences, time and attendance 

Physical Requirements

Communicating with others to exchange information.
Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like.
Lifting and Moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Moving self in various positions to perform tasks in tight and confined spaces.
Operating machinery and/or power tools.
Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Environmental Hazards

Elevated temperatures.
Exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
Exposure to moving mechanical parts or vibration.
Low temperatures.
Noisy environments.
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
Work with toxic or caustic chemicals.

Work Schedule

Monday - Thursday or Tuesday - Friday 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Driving University Vehicle

Yes

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.