Grounds Keeper

Tufts University•Medford, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Groundskeeper is responsible for caring for and maintaining lawns, grounds, roadways, sidewalks, and other areas around the Tufts University campus to preserve the campus’s appearance and safety. The role provides grounds and labor services, including mowing, snow and ice removal, weeding, pruning, sanding, seeding, fertilizing, de-icing, and plowing, as well as support for university events, building maintenance tasks, furniture installation, and landscaping. The Groundskeeper operates and maintains groundskeeping equipment and vehicles, moves university furnishings and equipment, and performs event setups and takedowns. The position may lead utility workers or student employees, guide work groups, and assist with coworker training. It also involves maintaining accurate maintenance logs and work-order records in university systems, recommending replacement spare parts, following operating procedures, and supporting tradespeople. The role is considered essential under the Tufts University Employee Handbook and may require on-call and overtime work.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least two consecutive years of relevant grounds experience.
Working knowledge of groundskeeping methods, including fertilization, aeration, irrigation, weeding, seeding, sowing, and sodding.
Knowledge of operating and maintaining equipment and vehicles such as tractors, loaders, mowing machinery, rototillers, hydraulic sprayers, aerators, lawn sweepers, and tractor-mounted snow-removal equipment.
At least three years of experience with winter operations, including snow plowing and sanding and salting.
Ability to operate tractor-mounted attachments such as snow blowers, Rake-O-Vac, Verti Drain, Verti Cutter, top dressers, slicer seeders, and fertilizer spreaders.
Knowledge of and ability to use hand tools such as shovels, rakes, lawn rollers, saws, pruners, hoses, trowels, tampers, hammers, pliers, wrenches, and spading forks.
Physical fitness to perform the department's job requirements and use and care for grounds equipment and tools.
Ability to lift at least 70 pounds and physically meet the position's job requirements.
Ability to direct and provide hands-on guidance to small work groups.
Mechanical proficiency and ability to use small power tools and hand tools.
Knowledge of plant materials, planting techniques, pruning, weeding, mowing, snow removal, sanding, and de-icing.
Ability to communicate and work respectfully with coworkers, students, faculty, and staff; conscientiousness and adaptability.
Computer experience, including creating Word documents, updating work status in facilities-related systems, and using email for professional communication.
Ability to use desktops, laptops, iPads, or other devices.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Time-management skills, including multitasking, handling unforeseen challenges and interactions tactfully, and working effectively with technicians and trades professionals.
Ability to read, write, and comprehend English.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors year-round, including during inclement weather.
Obtain a 2B hoister's license within 90 days.
Obtain a Massachusetts Pesticide Applicators (CORE) license within 90 days.
Valid U.S. driver's license.
Flexibility in work schedule for campus emergencies, nighttime and weekend events, and special events such as matriculation and commencement.

Nice To Haves

At least three consecutive years of relevant grounds experience at an institution of higher education.
Two years of natural and synthetic athletic field experience.
Experience using the Maximo CMMS system.
2B hoister's license upon hire.
Massachusetts Pesticide Applicators (CORE) license upon hire.
Massachusetts Commercial Pesticide Certification upon hire.

Responsibilities

Care for and maintain campus lawns, grounds, roadways, sidewalks, hardscape, and other surrounding areas.
Perform mowing, weeding, pruning, seeding, sowing, sodding, fertilizing, irrigation, aeration, grading, and related groundskeeping tasks.
Remove snow and ice from sidewalks, patios, ramps, parking lots, athletic fields, and drives using hand tools and powered equipment; perform sanding, salting, and de-icing.
Operate, maintain, and safely use groundskeeping tools, equipment, and vehicles, including mowers, seeders, rototillers, aerators, sprinklers, tractors, loaders, and snow-removal equipment.
Operate irrigation controls and systems and winterize irrigation systems.
Provide labor and grounds services for university events and special activities, including setup and takedown of chairs and other equipment, and installation of lawn furniture.
Move university furnishings and equipment and support event setups and takedowns.
Remove and dispose of dirt, debris, yard waste, rubbish, and recyclables from campus.
Lead utility workers, student employees, and other assigned work groups on projects; provide hands-on guidance on safe equipment use and appropriate work methods.
Assist in training coworkers and support tradespeople working on specific tasks.
Create and maintain timely, accurate maintenance logs and daily work-order entries using the university's computerized maintenance management and other systems.
Recommend spare parts for replacement as necessary and follow university procedures for resource use, time tracking, and maintenance records.
Respond to on-call and overtime requirements as needed and perform other related duties as assigned.