LEAD GROUNDSKEEPER
#3503
General Characteristics:
A Lead Groundskeeper is responsible for leading and coordinating the work of Groundskeeper and Groundskeeper/Equipment Operator positions in the maintenance and repair of campus grounds, irrigation systems, walk- ways, parking areas and equipment; plans landscape designs and changes; ensures that assigned duties are completed on schedule and are done well; schedules work; fills in for a Groundskeeper or Groundskeeper/ Equipment Operator during an absence or when required; does related work as required. Work requires extensive knowledge of qroundskeeping, good organizational skills and a knowledge of safe handling, mixing and application of chemicals. Physical strength and agility are required to operate tractor mounted equipment, 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 require the ability to work varied shifts and irregular hours during inclement weather and to be available twenty-four hours a day for emergency response.
Examples of Work:
Coordinates the work of the grounds section; acquires materials; monitors the quality of work performed by groundskeeping positions and assures timely completion of assignments; trains groundskeeping staff; plans landscape designs and changes and the maintenance of plants, lawns and outside areas.
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 or fungicides.
Excavates and develops grounds using hand tools for the installation/renovation of lawns, trees, shrubs or irrigation systems.
Repairs or replaces PVC irrigation systems; programs controllers for proper irrigation; removes controllers for shipment to repair facility.
Rakes, vacuums and bags leaves; picks up trash; hoses and pressure washes dirt and debris off walkways 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 algicide 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; contacts testing company to test; coordinates irrigation with Physical Education Department; orders and installs chlorine bottles.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Skill in training and monitoring performance of staff; knowledge of and skill in the safe operation of hand and power mowers, edgers, rakes, weed trimmers, pruners, saws, shovels, hoes, brooms, blowers, 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 mixing and applying chemicals safely; ability to plan work assignments and set priorities; 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 operate groundskeeping equipment and tools safely; ability to bend, stoop and twist; ability to lift and carry bags, containers and equipment weighing up to 90 pounds; knowledge of applicable OSHA regulations and ability to enforce compliance; ability to drive cushmans, flatbed trucks, delivery vehicles and vans; ability to use respiratory protection equipment; ability to be available twenty-four hours a day for emergency response; ability to work safely.
Supervision:
Reports to and works under the general supervision of the Superintendent of Facilities Management and Planning. Work is performed independently according to established procedures and applicable state and federal regulations. General instructions as to the scope of work and priorities are provided by the supervisor. Employee is responsible for daily operations with the supervisor available to consult on problems and policy decisions.
This position coordinates and leads the work of Groundskeeper/Equipment Operator and Groundskeeper positions and student assistants. This position plans work, trains staff, assigns tasks, provides priorities and is available to answer questions or troubleshoot problems on a daily basis.
Minimum Qualifications:
One year of post-secondary education with course work in horticulture operations and practices is required. Two years of experience in grounds maintenance at the level of a Groundskeeper, including the operation of gas or electric powered equipment is required. A current Oregon Class C driver's license and a current Pesticide Applicator's certification is required.
Equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered qualifying.
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