Head Groundskeeper

Portledge School•Locust Valley, NY

20d•Onsite

About The Position

Portledge School was founded in 1965 and is located on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island. Approximately fifty minutes (28 miles) from NYC by train, Portledge is nestled on a pastoral 63-acre tree-lined campus that is known for its cherry blossoms in spring. Enrolling approximately 525 students in grades PN-12, Portledge offers a competitive college preparatory program in a warm, inclusive community. We seek to inspire our students to realize their individual potential by developing critical thinking skills and moral courage necessary for lifelong learning in an increasingly complex world. Portledge is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body. Portledge is seeking an experienced, full-time Groundskeeper to join our Facilities team. This position is responsible for the care and upkeep of our 63-acre campus, including developing and executing an athletic field maintenance plan to ensure all fields are in top playing condition, as well as the ongoing landscaping and grounds care of our school grounds. This position must also be available during inclement weather for snow removal and other grounds-related emergencies as necessary. This is a full-time, 12-month staff position working a schedule of 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and reporting to the Head of Campus Operations.

Requirements

Minimum of three (3) years of experience in field maintenance, groundskeeping, or landscaping
Advanced knowledge of and ability to perform a variety of grounds projects such as sod removal, sod installation, irrigation repair/adjustments, seeding, and aeration
Knowledge of and ability to safely use hand tools essential to field maintenance such as rakes, tampers, shovels, and specialized tools such as compaction testers and soil moisture meters
Ability to operate small equipment essential to maintaining a safe and enjoyable playing surface, such as weed whackers, mowers, and edgers
Demonstrated knowledge of tree, and plant care practices, including pest and disease identification
Knowledge of and ability to safely operate large equipment such as motorized utility vehicles, tractors, skid steers, and corresponding attachments and implements routinely used in cultural practices and field renovations
Ability and willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
Self-motivated, dependable, and detail oriented
Valid Driver's License

Responsibilities

Develop and implement an athletic field maintenance plan to keep all playing fields in top condition
Mow, trim, weed grounds, and maintain walking paths
Clean and maintain tennis courts and other common outdoor spaces
Perform seasonal landscaping tasks including planting, mulching, leaf removal, aeration, seeding, and sod installation/repair
Maintain and adjust irrigation systems
Implement fertilization and pest/weed control programs for turf and landscape beds
Prune, trim and monitor the health of trees and shrubs across campus, coordinating removal when necessary
Assist with setup and takedown for outdoor events
Snow/ice preparedness and removal, which may occur outside of general working hours
Monitor grounds for safety hazards and communicate any concerns with urgency, taking steps to protect the community
Work in all areas of grounds and landscape care as assigned