Groundskeeper
#3501
General Characteristics:
A Groundskeeper is responsible for the maintenance and repair of campus grounds, irrigation systems, walkways and parking areas; may perform as a Lead Groundskeeper during an absence; does related work as required. Work requires a knowledge of safe handling, mixing and application of chemicals. Physical strength and agility are required to operate lawn mowers and other manual or power tools used in the work, and to bend, stoop, twist, lift and carry trash, bags, containers, and equipment. Working conditions may include standing and/or walking for extended periods and working outdoors in all kinds of weather. Positions may require the ability to work varied shifts and irregular hours during inclement weather.
Examples of Work:
Cares for lawns, shrubs, trees, and groundcover by mowing, fertilizing, aerating, pruning, weeding, top dressing, edging, irrigating, planting, and removing dead or damaged plants; removes blackberries; traps turf rodents; properly and safely mixes and applies insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
Excavates and developes grounds using tools for the installation/renovation of lawns, trees, shrubs, or irrigation systems.
Repairs or replaces PVC irrigation systems, programs controllers for proper irrigation, removes controller for shipment to repair facility.
Rakes, vacuums, and bags leaves; picks up trash; hoses and pressure washes dirt and debris off walk-way and walls; removes snow and ice using hand or power equipment; puts sand on ice; repairs holes in parking lots; empties trash containers and sawdust bins.
Maintains fountains by cleaning, refilling, adding chlorine and algaecide and repairing/adjusting valves; maintains athletic fields by mowing, edging, weeding, fertilizing, applying pesticides, marking for events, trash cleanup, and moving bleachers and soccer goal sets; maintains grounds at outreach areas; maintains appearance of tennis courts.
Monitors lagoon and passive wastewater treatment plant by checking lagoon level, checking flow meters, and checking pH and chlorine levels; monitors water flow throughout ponds and daily adjusts chlorine levels; cleans sewage and debris out of chlorinator pits.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of and skill in the safe operation of hand and power mowever, edgers, rakes, weed trimmers, pruners, saws, shovels, hoes, brooms, plowers, vacuums, hoses, pressure washers and chemical applicators; knowledge of and skill in applying groundskeeping and horticulture operations and practices; knowledge of and skill in irrigation operations and repair; knowledge of and skill in safely mixing and applying chemicals; ability to read, understand, and apply oral and written instructions and labels; ability to learn the operation of tractor mounted equipment; ability to work effectively as a member of a crew or independently; ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods; ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions; ability to work varied shifts and irregular hours during inclement weather; ability to safely operate groundskeeping equipment and tools; ability to bend, stoop and twist; ability to lift and carry bags, containers, and equipment weighing up to 90 pounds; knolwege of applicable OSHA regulations; ability to drive cushmans, trucks, delivery vehicles, and vans; ability to use respiratory protection equipment; ability to work safely.
Supervision:
Works under the general supervision of the Director of Facilities Management and Planning. A Lead Groundskeeper schedules, assigns, inspects, and approves work, and is available to answer questions or troubleshoot problems on a daily basis. Assignments are received in the form of weekly or seasonal work schedules, daily work orders, or oral and written instructions. After an initial orientation period, work is performed independently or as a member of a crew. The employee is required to interact with students, staff, and the public during the course of completing tasks. Work is reviewed periodically during and after completion of work for quality, quantity, and safety of operations.
Supervision of others is not a normal responsibilty of this position, however, this position may have occasional responsibility for training and instructing student assistants. This position may plan, assign, approve, instruct, set priorities, and schedule the work of groundskeepers in the absence of the Lead Groundskeeper.
Minimum Qualifications:
High school graduation or equivalent supplemented by course work in horticulture operations and practices is required. One year of experience in grounds maintenance including the operation of gas or electric powered equipment is required. A current Oregon Class C driver's license is required and a current Pesticid Applicator's certification is required or must be obtained before the end of the probationary period.
Equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered qualifying.
rev: 02/96