Overview: Assists the Grounds Supervisor in performing and managing tasks, grounds maintenance, and related grounds projects to enhance the beautification throughout the campus and support Facilities operations in maintaining a safe, functional, clean, efficient and attractive living and learning environment. Individual must possess strong knowledge of plant materials, knowledge of Integrated Pest Management, experience with weed, disease and insect control, and proficient in various landscaping tools, sprayers, and grounds equipment. Additionally, this individual will be involved in group projects, assisting others in the maintenance of their zone responsibilities, and performing other duties as determined by the Grounds Supervisor and the Director of Facilities. Essential Duties and Responsibilities :
- Performs ongoing maintenance of extensive campus plantings and landscape duties including but not limited to: aeration, fertilization, seeding and sodding of turf, leaf removal, weeding, installing plant material and bulbs, pruning and trimming, treatment applications for trees and shrubs, using power equipment and hand tools for performing these duties.
- Manages and performs evaluations to overall plant health, watering, and soil nutrition strategies for all gardens, landscape beds and plantings throughout campus, applying preventative and remedial spray treatments, incorporating horticultural amendments, utilizing various grounds equipment provided for that purpose - while including sustainable gardening practices and integrated pest management. Maintains record of all pesticide and fertilizer applications in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture standards.
- Manages campus plantings, beds, containers, shrubbery, and newly planted trees, to optimize plant health throughout the growing season; setup and maintain plantings and displays at outdoor events, and seasonal outdoor displays throughout campus.
- Responds timely to work orders and maintains regular communications with the crew and facilities staff. Fully supports the mission of the school, respectful and cordial to all school community residents.
- Assist grounds crew members on tasks that often require demanding physical labor including, soil grading, mulching, operation of aeration and overseeding equipment, planting projects, installing concrete pavers, campus trash and recycling duties, tree stump grindings, firewood removal, and various grounds improvement projects on campus. Assists campus snow and ice removal, operation of snow removal equipment, applying deicing materials, in adverse weather conditions. Assists mowing turf during seasons of high need.
- Assists loading and unloading delivery trucks and palletized materials for grounds use on campus, and organizing and storage of bagged or bulk horticultural materials.
- Also assists Facilities staff as needed in setting up bleachers and chairs for graduation and other special events.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Must be able to work cooperatively with other crew members.
- Must possess ability to communicate effectively in written form, able to demonstrate basic proficiency with a computer, and fully capable using email, work order, and timekeeping systems on school computers.
- Knowledge of and proper use of chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides used in grounds maintenance, and within probationary period obtain a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide License Category #23 'Park or School Pest Control', for duration of employment.
- Must follow all health and safety procedures, guidelines, and manufacturer's product label requirements.
Minimum Qualifications :
- High School diploma or equivalent.
- Valid driver's license. Any combination of experience, training, and/or education approved by Human Resources.
- Two to four years of experience in grounds care maintenance preferred.
- Two year Associates or B.S. Degree in Horticulture or Landscape/Horticulture Technology preferred.
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide License Category 23, or both Category 6 and 7.
Physical Demands: The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Environment: Work is performed mostly in outdoor environments in all types of weather and temperature conditions. May be exposed to prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight, loud noise from power equipment, poison ivy or other noxious plants, deicing compounds, dusty working conditions, herbicides, insecticides, and other pesticides, horticultural chemicals and their fumes or residuals. Individual is required to wear protective gear such as gloves in application of ice melt, dust masks in dry conditions, wear noise reduction hearing protection in all uses of power equipment, and be ready for work in steel/composite-toed footwear Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to walk multiple steps, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb step ladders, reach, twist, grasp, and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to lift, carry, push (specifically, a mower on an embankment) and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight, frequently lifting 50 lbs. bags (ice melt or grass seed); sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate a variety of grounds maintenance tools and equipment and vehicles such as mowers, tractors, and chain saws; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.This description is intended to provide a general scope of the position. This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Other duties may be assigned by the immediate supervisor.