Groundskeeper (Public Works)

Walworth County•Elkhorn, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position, under administrative direction, is responsible for overseeing landscape maintenance services for Walworth County buildings, grounds and parks. This position ensures that county grounds are kept in excellent condition for full and productive use. This is a working foreman type of position with the understanding that whoever assumes this position will be working alongside those that may be supervised in the field.

Requirements

High school plus two additional years of formal preparation and two to three years of relevant prior work experience.
Valid Wisconsin commercial driver's license - class A or B required upon hire.
Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification – Certification is required within one (1) year of the date of hire.
Must wear steel toe safety shoes.
Analytical—the individual synthesizes sometimes complex and diverse information.
Ability to read blueprints, interpret standard drawings and specifications, survey notes, maps and reports.
Knowledge—the individual understands office procedures, methods and equipment including personal computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Mechanical---the individual can perform basic carpentry, small engine repair and maintenance as well as the ability to operate weed/string trimmers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, tractors, lawn sweepers, snow blowers, snowplows, power washers, tractors and a variety of small hand tools.
Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans own work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans with supervisor.
Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
Oral communication—the individual speaks clearly and concisely in positive or negative situations.
Ability to respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.
Quality management—the individual looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Safety-the individual understands safe work practices and methods.
Written communication-the individual writes clearly and concisely.
Regularly required to talk or hear.
Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
Occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, or crouch, or crawl.
Must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Associates degree in turf grass management, horticulture/landscape horticulture, or certificate in professional grounds maintenance preferred.
Prior supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Inspect county grounds to assure safe and sanitary conditions.
Coordinate crews in work involving landscaping and maintenance of county grounds.
Prioritize, plan and assign work and supervise crews in planting, fertilizing, and trimming lawns, trees, bushes, hedges, shrubs using hand tools or motorized vehicles.
Landscape (including assistance in design) new ground areas, repair damaged ground areas, replace bushes, hedges, shrubs, and trees.
Plant and weed flower beds.
Apply herbicide and pesticide chemicals to grounds, trees, bushes, shrubs and lawns to control plant diseases and insects.
Supervise and assist with snow removal from sidewalks and parking lots and apply salt and anti-icing agents on sidewalks and parking lots during winter operations.
Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and County policies regarding the proper performance of the position (i.e. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services).
Responsible for the care and cleaning of all equipment used in grounds maintenance such as mowers, tractor/trailers, skid steers, woodchippers, snowplows/trucks, salt spreaders, and a variety of hand/power tools.
Requisition materials and supplies for all aspects of grounds keeping.
Recommend to supervisor projects that may be necessary to improve conditions on and about the county grounds.
Assist in the development of and ensure compliance with grounds maintenance budget.
Prepare and maintain records and reports including spray logs for herbicide and pesticide applications.
Perform related work as assigned.
Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.