LEAD GROUNDSKEEPER
: Job Details :

Lead Groundskeeper Benefits of working at VCUAll full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here.Job Code 17034 Recruitment Pool All Applicants Posting Number req6424 Unit Facilities Operations Admin Department Facilities Management, Grounds Department Website Link Location VCU Address 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA Duties & ResponsibilitiesSummaryVCU's Facilities Management Department is seeking to hire a Lead Groundskeeper within the Facilities Operations unit to maintain a healthy, safe, attractive landscape in Monroe Park, and may also work at other VCU locations including Markel Center.The Lead Groundskeeper organizes, leads, plans, and directs a small team of groundskeeping workers; utilizes knowledge of the landscape trade and horticulture best practices to perform preventive maintenance, repair, and installation of landscape assets ensuring an attractive, healthy, and safe campus environment.The Lead Groundskeeper provides exemplary customer service to all faculty, staff, and students supporting the University's mission of teaching, high-impact research and creative expression; identifies and documents landscape deficiencies using diagnostic skills and advise management of tasks requiring priority attention; and provides quality workmanship and service to maximize plant health and the service life of landscape assets.Among the responsibilities include (but are not limited to):Leadership* Goals are achieved in a timely manner* Team is well organized and prepared for task at hand* Team members have been instructed and understand the objectives and direction of the group* Fosters teamwork and honest communication* Advises supervision and/or management by recommending landscape and equipment maintenance tasks and identifying areas needing priority attention* Provides worksite guidance and direction to other grounds team members assuring safe and orderly completion of service requests and projects* Work with lesser skilled team members to increase their skill level and ability to work independentlyHorticulture: Trees, Shrub, Turf, and Annual/Perennial Maintenance* Performs all landscape maintenance in accordance with departmental standards* Mows, trims, and edges turf at the appropriate height for turf type and season; does not damage trees or other woody plants with string trimmer; does not mow excessively wet turf and varies mowing pattern to minimize soil compaction and turf damage* Irrigates, aerates, fertilizes, and overseeds turf areas as directed* Prunes trees and shrubs according to ANSI pruning and safety standards* Conducts IPM and applies pesticides as directed to turf, ornamental plants, and weeds* Identifies, reports, and corrects irrigation deficiencies* Installs plant material as directed* Mulches ornamental beds* Waters plants by hand; checks soil moisture and plant health to determine need first* Keeps landscape beds weed freeLitter Control* Sweeps and cleans litter and debris from turf and landscaped areas, sidewalks, and alleys with various hand tools and power equipment* Reports and removes graffiti in accordance with University policy* Collects litter, empties trash cans, and replaces trash can liners as directed during special eventsEquipment Operation and Maintenance* Understands and demonstrates proficient, safe operation of tools and equipment including use of task appropriate PPE* Performs visual and fluid checks on power equipment and vehicles and fills out vehicle logs daily* Recognizes and correct unsafe conditions or practices* Performs basic maintenance such as checking fluid levels, inflating tires, or adjusting tools before use daily as needed* Identifies maintenance needs and reports any damage or needed repairs to supervisor and shop mechanicWork Management* Assigns, performs, and completes service work orders and preventive maintenance tasks* Uses AiM and AiM Go daily to accurately track time, material, and effort required to complete tasks and to update work order status as work is assigned, performed, and completed; time cards are completed daily* Keeps accurate, detailed records including pesticide applicator logs and notes on work orders describing conditions observed and work performed* Reviews time cards of assigned staff daily for accuracy* Observes work in progress to ensure tasks are performed as instructed and on time* Inspects work to ensure staff and contractors are meeting performance standardsOther Duties* Designated to work and be on-call during emergencies, inclement weather, and special events* Safely operates snow removal tools and equipment including plows, spreaders, 4x4 vehicles, and off-road vehicles* Capably assumes supervisor's responsibilities as needed* Keeps shop, vehicle, and other work areas clean and organized* Listens to and anticipates customer needs* Communicates respectfully and effectively* Observes confidentiality* Demonstrates respect, honesty, excellence, responsibility, accountability, stewardship, compliance, and a commitment to integrity and ethical behavior by example in his/her day-to-day activities* Other duties as assignedQualificationsMinimum Hiring Standards* Strong leader with excellent written and oral communication skills and a customer service focus* Advanced knowledge and skill in ornamental plant care and landscape maintenance* Skillful operator of trucks, trailers, utility vehicles, mowers, sprayers, snow removal equipment, hand tools, and outdoor power equipment common to landscape maintenance or installation in a congested urban environment* Able to share knowledge and transfer skills to other employees through teaching, demonstration, constructive criticism, and accountability* Ability to give and follow direction, work independently, and lead others* Has effective interpersonal skills that foster trust and productive work relationships* Ability to operate a personal computer and mobile electronic devices to communicate with supervision, employees, and customers, manage work assignments, and process time cards* Ability to work on-call, after hours, on weekends or holidays, at strenuous tasks in physically challenging environments including heat, cold, and inclement weather* VDACS Pesticide Registered Technician required within 6 months of hire* High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience* Valid Driver's License is required* Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCUPreferred Hiring Standards* Two-year degree in horticulture or related field preferred* A two-year degree in agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, or related science is preferred* Two years of commercial, municipal, park, or similar landscape or tree maintenance experience is preferred* Commercial Applicator Categories 3A and 3C preferredRequired Licensure/Certifications* Valid Driver's License is required* VDACS Pesticide Registered Technician required within 6 months of hirePhysical and Cognitive RequirementsPhysical Demands & ActivitiesLight Lifting (50 lbs): EssentialPushing/Pulling: EssentialStanding: EssentialSitting: MarginalRepetitive Motion: EssentialWalking: EssentialClimbing: EssentialReaching: EssentialBending: EssentialEnvironmental ConditionsExtreme heat/cold: EssentialExtreme Noise: EssentialVibrations: EssentialFumes: EssentialMists/gases: EssentialEmotional DemandsFast pace: EssentialAverage Pace: EssentialMultiple Stimuli: MarginalIntense Customer Interaction: EssentialFrequent Change: EssentialMental/Sensory DemandsMemory: EssentialReasoning: EssentialHearing: EssentialReading: EssentialAnalyzing: EssentialLogic: EssentialVerbal Communication: EssentialWritten Communication: EssentialWork Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-3pm, Overtime, nights, and holidays may be required for special events, emergencies, and inclement weather; subject to being on callORP Eligible: NoVCU Slotting: Sr Groundskeeper FM 1 (17034)FLSA University Employee Job FTE 1 Exemption Status Non-Exempt Restricted Position No E-Class UF - University Employee FT Job Category University Employee ORP Eligible No Salary Range $38,000 - $43,000 Compensation Type Salaried Target Hire Date 11/25/2024 Contact Information for CandidatesDocuments Needed to Apply Resume