District Grounds Worker/ Utility

The vision of each of the Fitchburg Public Schools is to provide learning experiences that engage all students in achieving high academic standards while developing intellectual rigor, creative interest, and social characteristics that prepare them for the challenges of living successfully and productively as citizens of this new century.

The School district Groundskeeper will care for and maintain the grounds (including driveways & parking lots) located throughout the City of Fitchburg to create and maintain a safe clean and welcoming environment for our students, staff, and community members.

The physical demands of this position range from LIGHT to MEDIUM- HEAVY. This position involves grounds preparation and maintenance procedures including field grooming, lawn mowing, trimming, edging, seeding and fertilization, irrigation control, grounds clean-up, and trash removal. Attend all required training.

EMPLOYMENT ENVIRONMENT:

• May be exposed to seasonal temperature extremes, including occasional wet and slippery conditions. Occasionally working near moving mechanical parts is required. Noise levels may vary from moderate to occasionally high depending on the work situation.
• Safety glasses with side shields, goggles, latex and work gloves, and hearing protection may all be required depending on the job task.
• The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

SCHOOL GROUNDS:

Utilizes department equipment in the maintenance of all improved and unimproved grounds areas at Fitchburg Public Schools or assigned areas. To include: Cutting of grass, trimming of hedges, shrubs, and trees, cutting and removing brush and overgrowth, clearing and maintaining walking surfaces, picking up litter, string, and edge trimming, weeding of designated areas, sweeping or blowing of sidewalks, raking or blowing and removal of leaves and landscape debris, cold patching of small potholes, applying fertilizer, operating of irrigation systems. During winter inclement weather; operate snow removal equipment. Assists with the moving of equipment and furniture throughout the district. Maintains all assigned ground equipment. Undertake and assist with off-season projects.

Essential Duties

• Maintains all ground areas such as mowing, weeding, field grooming, seeding, fertilization, trash removal, irrigation control, field marking, walkway, parking lot, and field bleacher clean-up in assigned areas.
• Operates mechanized equipment such as mowers, blowers, weed whackers, rollers, sod cutters, tillers, utility trucks, and tractors.
• Responsible for care and inventory of all field and grounds maintenance equipment.
• Participates in training to keep and acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities to remain current with standard operational practices and revised standards.
• Properly uses and cares for department tools and equipment.
• Provides appropriate support in major campus activities.
• Responds to emergency call-in situations.
• Interacts professionally with members of the community.

Other Duties

• Assist Grounds employees in all facets of Facilities operations including, but not limited to, furniture moves, responding to work order requests, snow removal, and setting up & breaking down for district events.
• Follows proper clean-up and recycling procedures as well as observes all safety rules and regulations
• Reports building damages, malfunctioning equipment, needed maintenance, and/or repairs in assigned work areas.
• May be required to assist other department members as directed by Facilities Manager
• Performs all other related duties necessary to meet Facilities Management requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years experience and general knowledge in the preparation and maintenance of landscapes and grounds. Must also have experience in using the equipment necessary to accomplish the task.
• Must be physically able to perform the essential duties of the position as outlined in this Position Description.
• Ability to multi-task and effectively manage time to complete tasks on time.
• Be well organized
• Must hold a commercial Massachusetts applicator's pesticide license or be able to obtain it within 6 months of hire.
• Must be able to effectively interact and communicate with co-workers and supervisors.
• Must be available for emergency call-in situations.
• Class D driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Related agricultural degree preferred.

Location: Throughout Fitchburg Public School District

CBU: Fitchburg School Custodians Association / Unit B

Supervision of Others: No

Reports To: School Building Maintenance Facilities Manager

Working Hours: M-F 10 am- 6 pm (April 1- Last day of School & First day of School - November 15) M-F 7 am - 3 pm all other times.

Terms of Employment/Salary/Work Year:

As negotiated by the Fitchburg School Committee and the Fitchburg Education Association (FEA).

Competitive and comprehensive health benefits are offered through the City of Fitchburg; www.fitchburgma.gov/benefits.

An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of NCBC (fingerprinting) and CORI before your start of employment.

The responsibilities and duties listed are illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned as required.

Notice of Non-Discrimination
The School Committee’s policy of nondiscrimination extends to students, employees, and the general public with whom it does business. Fitchburg Public Schools does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability in admission to, access to, employment in, or equal treatment in its programs and/or activities in compliance with state and federal law.

Questions related to this policy must be addressed to: The Office of Human Resources, 376 South Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420, HR@Fitchburg.k12.ma.us