Groundskeeper

Position Purpose

– This is a full-time, temporary position.
– Responsible for the overall appearance of the campus grounds, including the health and maintenance/installation of lawns, landscapes, and athletic fields.
– Snow removal as required during winter months to ensure a safe and passable campus for students, faculty, and staff.
– Assistance with large scale event set ups, including, but not limited to Commencement, Homecoming, and Alumni Weekend.
– This position is considered “Essential” and requires employees to be at work during closures due to weather or other circumstances.

Description of Duties

– Responsible for all aspects of general landscape maintenance including, but not limited to, pruning, sheering, weeding, mowing, fertilization, landscape installation/planting, perennial/deciduous plant care and hardscapes maintenance/installation.
– Responsible for routine maintenance and care of lawns and athletic fields including, mowing, aeration, fertilization, top-dressing, insect/disease and broadleaf weed control.
– Responsible for upkeep and maintenance on athletic fields including irrigation repairs/maintenance, lining, layout and painting, game-day preparations, logo layout and painting, installation of netting/cages, drainage installation and other tasks as directed.
– Responsible for operation of CO2/gas run paint sprayers to line athletic fields, paint parking lots and other duties as assigned using this equipment.
– Ability to operate the following equipment and tools: Push mower, weed eater, hedge sheers, chainsaw, gas run blower, snow blower, lawn tractor, compact tractor, and general hand tools (shovel, pruners, rake, etc.)
– Responsible for all aspects and phases of snow removal during the winter months. Ability to shovel snow, operate snow-blowers, lawn tractor with blade/blower and spreader, compact tractor with blade/blower and spreader. Apply ice-melting agents by hand or with spreading equipment. Apply brining agent to sidewalks, stairs and entrances to prevent the bonding of snow and ice. •Responsible for general equipment maintenance/repairs and troubleshooting
– Responsible for seasonable clean up including leaves, parking lots, embankments and other areas as directed. •Responsible for routine trash/pick up and removal of garbage/rubbish from exterior waste cans and campus grounds.
– Provide assistance with major campus set ups and office relocations as necessary.
– Assistance with other departmental needs as required.
– Work in all weather conditions.

Decision Making

– Knowledge of tasks assigned and the ability to troubleshoot routine issues that arise during general work practices and procedures.
– Ability to provide feedback/input to supervisor on needs, including, but not limited to tools, equipment, and materials.
– Possess creative problem solving skills to address minor issues or instances
– Prepare general estimates and inventories for departmental needs with supervisory approval.
– Routinely make contact with members of the campus community and have the ability to address issues or refer them to the supervisor.
– Implement efficient strategies for completing daily tasks.
–  Possess exceptional communication skills and the ability to follow written or verbal instruction.

Fiscal Responsibility

– Responsible for maintaining and utilizing materials and equipment in a fiscally responsible manner.
– Consider calibration and application rates as necessary.
– Monitor supply levels and inventory as necessary.
– Provide routine maintenance to tools and equipment to increase longevity and prevent total loss.

Supervisory Responsibility

– Can act as a lead worker/ supervisor for up to (8) student workers during the semester and summer months.
– May act as a project lead for certain projects throughout campus.

Minimum Requirements Profile

– One year of exper ence in grounds keeping work. OR
– Any equivalent combination of experience and training.
– A valid Drivers License is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

– Ability to follow written or verbal instruction
– Ability to work as an individual or in a teamwork scenario
– Demonstrate the ability to present ideas clearly and effectively both orally or in writing.
– Required to follow state and local safety laws and university safety practices while on the work site.
– Prompt and ready to work.
– Mental alertness and ability to adapt to seasonal change and weather conditions.

Essential Functions

1. Sitting — 10%; Walking — 35%; Standing — 35%; Squatting — 10%, Bending — 10%

2. Working indoors — 10% and Outdoors — 90%

3. Frequent lifting of objects weighing less than 15 pounds

4. Occasional lifting of objects weighing 70 pounds or greater

5. Occasional pushing/pulling objects weighing 50 pounds or greater

6. Frequent reaching for objects at, above and below shoulder

7. Frequent twisting at waist, and stretching to reach objects

8. Occasional fine manipulation with hands

9. Frequent simple grasping; occasional power grasping

10. Basic math skills (add, subtract, multiply, divide)

11. Reading skills including understanding written direction.

12. Writing skills in preparing and organizing documents

13. Sensory skills, i.e. visual, hearing, and speaking

14. Keyboard skills

At Commonwealth University we recognize our responsibility to continuously support a living, learning, and working environment that values the diverse contributions from all members of our campus community. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion enriches our campus community and is instrumental to our institutional success. Commonwealth University strives to cultivate a campus climate that allows all members to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as we achieve success both in and out of the classroom, in our work responsibilities, and in our professional lives beyond Commonwealth University. We uphold our commitment to DEI by:
• Actively supporting and promoting the intellectual and personal growth of our students, inside and outside of the classroom.
• Providing workshops, trainings, programs designed to broaden the knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion within our campus community.
• Ensuring that all learning and living environments throughout our campus are welcoming and capable of serving all individuals.