Grounds Keeper Jobs

About The Position

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.