"Grounds Team Leader (FT)"

If you're exploring new career opportunities or seeking a dynamic and supportive work environment, consider Mercer County Community College (MCCC). As a publicly supported institution committed to open access and student success, MCCC strives to attract, retain, and support a highly skilled and diverse workforce—our most valuable asset.

At Mercer, campus culture and belonging are celebrated, and our sense of community is deeply rooted in both our mission and daily practices. With two distinct campuses—the James Kerney Campus in the heart of Trenton and our expansive 292-acre West Windsor Campus just six miles away—MCCC offers the benefits of a robust institution with the close-knit feel of a true community.

In addition to meaningful work and a supportive culture, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes credit course tuition waivers for themselves, their spouses, and dependents—making higher education more accessible for the whole family. With 69-degree programs and 35 credit certificate options, there are countless ways to grow with us—both personally and professionally.

JOB DUTIES

Under the direction of the Facilities Supervisor, the Grounds Team Leader oversees and participates in the maintenance, repair, and care of campus grounds, athletic fields, building exteriors, roadways, and related infrastructure across both college campuses. The position provides daily leadership to the grounds team, ensuring that all outdoor environments are safe, functional, and visually appealing in alignment with college standards and environmental regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, coordinate, and execute all grounds care activities across both campus locations.
• Coordinate and direct the work of Grounds employees, as well as General Maintenance staff assigned to Grounds operations.
• Responsible for the oversight of maintenance and custodial care of grounds and roadways including, but not limited to, the following:
  • Seasonal turf maintenance including: fertilizer and pesticide treatments, mowing, seeding, trimming, and edging.
  • Routine care including: planting, transplanting, removal, feeding and pruning of trees and shrubs.
  • Leaf removal
  • Mulching
  • Clearing of wooded areas by selective thinning. Power and hand tools will be used.
  • Patching roadways, installing street signs, working roadways and parking areas.
  • Removal and relocating of snow and applying deicing products to create safe conditions for students and staff.
  • Maintaining walkways, nature trails and ensure they are free of poisonous plants, debris, and other safety hazards.
• Uses advanced equipment and maintains advanced proficiency on system and equip operations to perform assigned work efficiently. Immediately reports and provides suggested course(s) of action on malfunctions, the need for upgrades, improvements and process / procedural issues to supervisor.
• Regularly seeks out and provides requests for professional development and continuation of certifications and licenses.
• Regularly requests permission to attend work-related seminars and training.
• Handles simple and intermediate duties and assignments given/issued and provides efficient and effective remedies or solutions to related work-place challenges and tasks.
• Assists other work teams and Departments with moving, relocating and repairs of furniture and facilities as well as other tasks
• Responsible for intermediate level maintenance and repair work in College buildings and grounds at all locations as assigned.
• Safe guards equipment and remains accountable to prevent theft and/or deterioration when not in use.
• Follows all state and local building codes.
• Complies and follows all safety regulations.
• Perform additional duties as instructed by supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily outdoor work; exposure to seasonal weather conditions
• Participation in snow removal and emergency response operations required
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays based on operational needs
• Assignment locations may vary and employee will be required to perform work as directed.
• Assigned tasks and responsibilities span both campuses for all MCCC positions.

ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Positions in this class typically require: ability to use a key board, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Medium to Heavy Work: Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions and requires exposure to dirt, dust, noise, fumes, pollen, and varying temperatures. Duties involve working on uneven terrain, athletic fields, roadways, and landscaped areas, often using power tools, hand tools, and grounds maintenance equipment. The position requires operating and occasionally repairing vehicles and heavy equipment such as mowers, snowplows, and utility vehicles.

This role may require lifting up to 50 pounds, prolonged standing, bending, and reaching, as well as climbing or working on ladders. Work schedules may vary based on seasonal needs, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and emergency responses related to weather events or campus safety conditions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of manual and power grounds equipment, including but not limited to zero-turn and push mowers, chipper/shredders, snow blowers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, tree pruners, and string trimmers.
• Ability to safely operate vehicles and heavy equipment such as pickup trucks with plows, skid steers with attachments, backhoes, and front-end loaders.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Excellent time management skills, ability to meet deadlines, a bias for action, and a strong sense of urgency
• Ability to work well both independently and within a team environment.
• Ability to foster positive and beneficial relationships.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess a High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must possess DEP pesticide operator's license or become licensed within 90 days of employment.
• Must Possess of a valid New Jersey Fertilizer License.
• Must possess a valid New Jersey driver's license and maintain driving privileges throughout employment.
• Must possess or be able to obtain forklift operator's license within 90 days of employment.
• Four (4) or more years of landscape and grounds experience.
• NJ Commercial Pesticide Applicator License CORE, 3A, 3B
• Possession of a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL)