Groundskeeper III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Vernon, TX

19d•Onsite

About The Position

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. The Groundskeeper III performs complex (journey-level) groundskeeping work at a State Hospital. Maintains and improves the appearance of grounds and flower beds for the hospital, including mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and ensuring the effective operations of sprinkler systems. Removes, plants, and trims trees and shrubs. Safely and efficiently operates power- and gas-operated equipment. Ensures groundskeeping tools, supplies, and equipment are well maintained and accounted for. Performs minor repairs on equipment in accordance with training and skill level. Removes debris, trash, and obstructions from parking lots, roads, fences, and sidewalks. Assists in minimizing the presence and impact of nuisance animals at the hospital (e.g., snakes, rodents, feral cats). Performs some minor maintenance duties as needed in conjunction with maintenance staff. As needed, works some weekend and/or after-hours callouts to respond to situations impacting safe hospital operations. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Requirements

Knowledge, skills, and ability to safely fell and remove large trees in and around buildings and other infrastructures.
Knowledge, skills, and ability associated with minimizing the presence of nuisance animals such as rodents, snakes, and feral cats.
Knowledge of groundskeeping tasks, terminology, and how to care for equipment.
Knowledge of safety practices related to working in groundskeeping.
Knowledge of how to operate groundskeeping equipment
Skills in safely operating power equipment such as mowers, power clippers, tractors, backhoes, and/or pruning shears, and a variety of hand and power tools used in construction/repair.
Ability to read, understand and apply a variety of inter-related instructions such as those found in guidelines, regulations, and policies.
Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to stand/walk for extended period of time.
Ability to work in hot and/or cold conditions.
Ability to work harmoniously and productively with co-workers and patients.
Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
Ability to stand, bend, or walk for long periods of time.
Ability to maintain and care for hand and power tools and equipment.
Ability to learn to detect diseases in plants and grasses.
Ability to learn basic knowledge of horticulture and to apply that to job duties.
Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
Six (6) months’ experience as a laborer, farmer, gardener, florist helper, groundskeeper, or similar work involving general duties which may include the planting and maintenance of vegetation, landscaping, nursery inspections, or equivalent to a Groundskeeper.
Six (6) months’ experience as an operating power equipment (e.g., mowers, power clippers, tractors, chain saws, backhoes, pruning shears)

Responsibilities

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Performs routine groundskeeping duties at the hospital including mowing, trimming, fertilizing, removing, and planting trees and shrubs, and planting new flowerbeds. Performs other types of groundskeeping work as directed. If the hospital has a cemetery, maintains cemetery grounds, sets head stones, excavates graves for funerals, and sets up casket devices and tents.
Performs litter control and trash pick-up. Moves dumpsters for commercial company trash pick-up. If licensed, mixes and sprays pesticides and herbicides, and treats for insects around buildings.
Uses gas- and power-operated tools to complete work safely and efficiently. Properly cleans and stores tools and other equipment after each use. Performs minor repairs and preventative maintenance on tools as needed and reports major issues to the supervisor. Completes tool inventory as required.
Follows the daily, weekly, and monthly scheduling of work in the groundskeeping department. Works as a team member with other groundskeepers. Reports any significant issues to the supervisor for handling.
Safely operates tractors with implements such as front-end loaders and backhoes for digging out tree stumps, cleaning up debris, moving large amounts of gravel, sand, mulch, and other landscaping materials, and helps dig out areas for tree planting or if there is a water line break.
Ensure roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are safe and free from debris. Works beyond normal duty hours during inclement weather to remove ice or snow from sidewalks, roadways, and clears debris from catch basins during heavy rain, as needed.
As instructed, safely and humanely traps and removes live animals, disposes appropriately of dead animals, and takes proactively measures to abate future issues.
Performs general maintenance, repairs, and construction work for the hospital in collaboration with maintenance staff commensurate with skills and abilities. Drives trucks (non-Commercial Driver License) as needed to haul needed materials and transport items.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

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