Lead Grounds Technician

Fountain Valley School, a selective and diverse boarding school, educates 250 students in grades 9–12 on a beautiful 1,100-acre campus in Colorado Springs, CO. Fountain Valley School has 4 athletic fields, landscaped gardens, a pond, streams, trails for horses, biking, running, and vast areas of open prairie space.

The Opportunity:

The Lead Grounds Tech position reports to the Director of Facilities and has significant interaction with faculty, staff, students, peers, and the Fountain Valley School community. The Lead Grounds Tech works to ensure all aspects of the FVS grounds are maintained.

General Duties:

• The Lead Grounds Tech will perform the tasks necessary to maintain the school grounds, support campus events, perform moving, and set-ups as required

• Maintain the School grounds including mowing, raking, plant maintenance, lawn care, trail maintenance, and snow removal

• Provide support to projects which enhance the campus including new plantings, mulching, signage, and other small projects

• Using time at work, participate in professional development in all areas related to athletic fields and grounds best practices.

• Perform work, as assigned, to properly maintain athletic facilities including the lawn care, playing surface maintenance, and lining of fields

• Complete manual tasks as required to meet the needs of the school, such as digging, shoveling, lifting, pushing, and similar tasks requiring physical labor

• Properly and safely operate grounds department equipment, as assigned by the supervisor, including trucks, tractors, and riding mowers.

• Demonstrate basic mechanical understanding of all ground’s equipment

• Work in excavations or trenches, from ladders, scaffolds, or in trees and work in all weather conditions

• Make recommendations on design improvements of new facilities and existing facilities repairs and renovations and serve as a contact for external contractors in absence of Director of Facilities.

• Consult with and provide recommendations to coaches, game officials, and athletics administration regarding cancellation and/or postponement of events

• Inspect irrigation systems and ensure proper operation, maintenance, and repair

• Assist staff responsible for daily maintenance of athletic venues including the fertilization, aeration, chemical spraying, directional mowing and trimming, topdressing, and over-seeding of all fields

• Prepare facilities prior to practices and games including lining fields, coordinating layout, placement, and set-up of equipment, benches, tables, and other tasks as needed

• Recommend various controls for insect and disease identification and assist in implementing solutions

• Keep informed of best practices, trends, and regulations pertaining to design and maintenance of grounds

• Oversee periodic assignments of students and/or summer employees to ensure that work is performed to school standards

• Properly and safely operate all handheld equipment including lawn mowers, chain saws, trimmers, brooms, snow blowers, and other equipment as needed

• Work in a neat, careful, and safe manner to prevent injury to self and others to prevent damage to any material, equipment, or property, and to follow all prescribed safety rules and procedures

• Work in a positive, cooperative manner with other departmental personnel

• Communicate effectively and personably with a diverse community of people

• Respond to emergency calls as necessary

• Independently respond to work order and requests

• Works with the Director of Facilities to schedule and plan Grounds team work

• Trains and supervises grounds team and summer students

• Regular and reliable attendance

• Has or ability to obtain Turf Management Training

• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in turf management, landscape management, or related field strongly preferred

• 5 or more years working in landscaping, gardening, golf, collegiate, or professional athletic fields preferred

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with aeration, chemical spraying, fertilization, and directional mowing; experience in operating equipment related to these tasks including trucks, tractors, riding mowers, and bobcat

• Working knowledge of the layout, repair, and irrigation of athletics fields and lawns

• Must be able to work independently, exercise judgment, and manage projects with minimal supervision as well as to adjust as new projects are assigned

• Ability to make an impact through work as a member of a team and diverse community

• Solid communication skills

• Valid driver's license required and must meet the school's Fleet Safety Policy requirements

• Must be available for planned and unplanned night and weekend work for school events, snow removal, and other needs as required.

• This position is designated as “emergency personnel/essential staff” and may be required to report in inclement weather or emergency conditions to continue performance of job responsibilities.

Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Able to sit, stand and frequently lift equipment and materials weighing 100 pounds or more, crawl, climb ladders, twist, turn and reach in completing a variety of job duties.

• Work outside in hot or cold conditions for extended periods of time.

• The work requires the ability to communicate quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Work in a wide variety of environments as found in all areas of the school. The work requires the ability to speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors. Able to operate vehicles and machines. Occasional weekend and/or weeknight obligations.

• Working Relationships: Students, parents, admission personnel and all other FVS employees

Salary: $26.00 to 28.00, depending on experience

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, Gym, Pool and Trail Access, EAP

Application Deadline: 2/24/2025