Groundskeeper

Position Description

The Grounds Keeper, reporting to the Grounds Manager & Small Project Assistant, maintains and cares for the campus grounds with an emphasis on safety and aesthetics in a manner of environmental consciousness and utilizes the best management practices to care for the campus surroundings.

Position Responsibilities

1. Mowing, trimming, weeding, leaf collecting, pruning, fertilization, irrigating/watering and all other duties as assigned to maintain the campus in a manner that is well manicured and pleasing to those who enter.
2. Operate hand tools, power tools, and heavy machinery for landscaping projects or site improvements
3. Conduct tree care activities including trimming, pruning, and removal to promote safety and aesthetics.
4. Execute snow plowing or shoveling and de-icing during winter months to ensure safe pathways and parking areas
5. Assists with the maintenance of the athletic fields to ensure the aesthetics, safety and all related aspects including but not limited to: fertilizing, mowing, aerating, slit seeding, top-dressing and dragging and/or grooming the fields.
6. Safe application of fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicide to promote health and limit disease, pests, or fungus
7. Maintain proper tree/branch and shrubbery clearances from buildings with respect to proper building clearances to reduce deterioration of exterior facades and clogging of gutters and downspouts, and from electrical and communication wires to preserve the operation of the campus.
8. Work with student employees and other trades within Plant Operations as directed.
9. Assist other departments as directed with office and furniture moves and event set-ups.
10. Embody values of caring and compassion, justice and integrity, competence and affirmation.
11. Assist with general maintenance tasks including equipment upkeep, trash removal, and minor repairs
12. Seek to treat each member of the campus community with fairness, dignity and respect seeking a spirit of unity and harmony as we join together to achieve our common mission.

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of 2 years of experience in professional grounds related services.
• Pesticide and Fertilizer Certification is preferred but not required, however the ability to obtain certification is required.
• Tree climbing experience is preferred but not required.
• Must be familiar with the installation and transplanting of plant materials.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Must be able to operate all types of landscape equipment (i.e. lawn equipment, chipper, chain saws, snow plows, ext.)
• Must be able to perform general service work on equipment in order to maintain proper operation (i.e. oil changes, grease fittings, change blades, replace string on weed-whackers, etc.).
• Ability to perform all tasks associated with general landscaping and grounds (i.e. pruning, mowing, aerating, slit-seeding, planting and digging ext.).
• Ability to work unsupervised.
• Ability to report to work and perform required duties for a minimum of eight (8) hours per day.
• It is essential that the incumbent exhibits and understanding of, and support for, the University’s evangelical Christian mission.