Maintenance Engineer-Grounds/Landscaping Lead, Durango School District, 1.0 FTE

Durango School District 9R is accepting applications for a full time, Maintenance-Grounds/Landscaping Lead for Durango School District 9-R, 12 month, Monday - Friday, 40 hours a week. Includes life, health and dental insurance as well as paid sick leave, personal leave and annual leave benefits. Begins April 1, 2025

Job Title: Maintenance Engineer - Grounds/Landscaping Lead         Pay Grade: ESP Salary Schedule
Job Family: Facilities                                                      FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Department: Facilities                                                    Prepared Date: March 26, 2025
Typical Work Year: 12 months

SUMMARY: Performs a variety of tasks leading a team in general maintenance of landscape and grounds; maintains and performs repairs to grounds maintenance equipment (including playgrounds and equipment); performs duties related to the upkeep and beautification of 9-R district campuses and outside sports facilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The frequency and percentage of time of duties may vary based on building or department needs.

Growing season duties include:

• Overseeing and maintaining grounds in clean, safe, and orderly manner
• Mowing, edging, aerating lawns and border areas. 
• Removing weeds and debris from walkways, culverts, stairways, roadways, planters, and parking areas by hand or via herbicide application.
• Pruning shrubs and trees up to a maximum height of fifteen feet.
• Using a blower or broom to sweep sidewalks. 
• Maintaining in-ground drains and culverts. 
• Loading, transporting, and unloading equipment or materials from department vehicles to work sites.. 
• Hauling and disposing of landscape cuttings and debris. 
• Cultivating and renovating designated planting areas. 
• Maintaining aesthetics of landscapes and grounds. 
• Replacing bark and mulch in planters and landscaping as needed. 
• Installing or replacing turf, trees, ornamental plants, shrubs, ground covers, ands annuals, to maintain a natural landscape appearance
• Assisting in planning and updating landscape throughout the districts sites
• Maintaining landscape irrigation systems including repairing or replacing sprinkler heads, valves, lines, and adjusting irrigation timers; assisting with repairs or installations of paving materials for pathways, concrete and rock retaining walls, wood, concrete and/or rock borders and various posts, slabs, drains, and culverts.  
• Operating and maintaining ground maintenance equipment such as lawn mower, edger, sweeper, string trimmer, rototiller, chainsaw, power hedge trimmer, sprayers, and basic gardening hand tools. 
• Maintaining hoses, supplies, tools, and equipment in proper condition and repair. 
• Maintaining service request records, equipment parts listings, equipment oil change logs, equipment service/repair logs, seed usage logs, irrigation repair logs, and records of supplies used. 
• Mixing and applying approved herbicides for weed mitigation; mixes and applies fertilizers; performs minor pest management; maintains stock of fertilizer and plant food supplies; maintains current Weekly Review Sheet (WRS) for potentially hazardous materials; maintains logs and files pesticide use reports. 
• Assisting Custodial Supervisor with upkeep of district playgrounds.
• Assisting in other minor maintenance tasks as required.

Non-Growing seasons duties include:

• Operating and maintaining snow removal equipment.
• Performing snow removal 
• Performing equipment maintenance and repairs
• Assisting with duties associated with Facilities and/or Custodial Department.

Year-Round duties may include:

• Leading the landscape and grounds team.
• Assisting in creating work schedules and daily routines.
• Assisting in supervising and training landscape and grounds staff
• Playground maintenance

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: High school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least 18 years of age.  Any combination of education, training, and experience necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities as described, including specialized knowledge and work experience in landscaping and horticultural techniques.

EXPERIENCE: Experience in grounds work and general maintenance preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: Valid driver’s license permitting operation of vehicles in Colorado required. Criminal Background Check required for hire.  Has or is willing to obtain chemical application certification within 90 days of employment at the cost of the district.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of turf management and maintenance practices and techniques including water conservation, horticulture and methods of planting, cultivation, pruning, and caring for plants, trees, and lawns.
• Knowledge of sprinkler and irrigation system design, installation, operation, and sports field maintenance.
• Knowledge of general operation and maintenance of landscape and grounds maintenance equipment and tools. Understands proper and safe application of fertilizers, herbicides, and chemical controls.
• Ability to keep proper records.
• Knowledgeable about using pesticides in schools and practices related to safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Ability to perform basic math.
• Possesses skill and ability to install and repair sprinkler systems, operate hand and power tools, and other associated grounds maintenance equipment.
• Follow oral and written directions and communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Ability to respond to departmental emergencies and participate in snow removal and on-call status.
• Ability to communicate, interact, and work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.
• Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, Superintendent policies, and building/department procedures.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATING KNOWLEDGE:

• • Operating knowledge of and experience with personal computers and peripherals.
  • Ability to use the internet to order parts and search for repair manuals online.
  • Responsible for appropriate and efficient use of repair parts and tools provided by the district.
  • Ability to maintain and assist supervisors with yearly budgets.
  • Operating knowledge of and experience with snow removal equipment.

Durango School District 9-R is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Laura Galido, Compliance Officer, Durango School District 9-R, 281 Sawyer Drive Suite 100, Durango, CO 81303, (970) 247-5411, lgalido@durangoschools.org, or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Spear Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, (303) 844-5695.

Salary : $25