Journeyman - Area Grounds Worker

Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 69,000 students across 155 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.

Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.

Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. Come join us!

Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer. All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.

The Facilities Department is responsible for maintaining, servicing and improving the Jeffco Public Schools' 12 million square feet of schools and support buildings, valued at nearly $2.75 billion on 3,100 acres of land. The Facilities Department includes more than 700 employees in Building Maintenance and Site Maintenance, Construction Management, Custodial Services, Environmental Services, Energy Management, Facilities Service Desk, and Planning & Property. Overall Duties include boundaries, long-range facility planning, enrollment projections, energy and utility management, capital and bond-funded improvements, custodial services, facilities assessments, facilities maintenance, hazardous material management, landscape and paving, property management, snow removal, water and wastewater management.

This position may require a written and/or practical test.

Area Grounds Worker - Journey
Monthly Position
FLSA: Nonexempt
FTE: 1.00000 , Hours/Day: 8.000 , Days/Year: 246
Salary Plan, Grade, Step: CSE - Class Emp-246 / 1.FTE , R22, 1
Pay Range: $27.45 - $35.05 Effective as of: 08-16-2024

Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job-specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.

The successful new hire or rehired candidate will be responsible to complete and incur the fingerprinting and processing fee of $54.50 through an appropriate fingerprinting vendor and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, within 48 hours of offer acceptance.

SUMMARY: Perform journey level landscape duties related to the repair, installation, preventative/planned maintenance, layout, and troubleshooting of systems and equipment related to facility grounds, sports fields, and play apparatus. Maintain a safe, comfortable, and secure learning environment for students, staff, and the public.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Operate, inspect, and maintain light and medium duty vehicles, trailers, and equipment, including skid steer, tractors, large and small area mowers, single axle dump trucks, backhoes, loaders, hydraulic crane, roto-tillers, high pressure washers, grass rake, and tree spade.

Read blueprints and schematics for design, layout, and installation of electric and manual irrigation systems. Troubleshoot irrigation heads, valves, clocks, flow switches, pump systems, and relays. Startup and winterize systems. Maintain and repair irrigation systems.

Layout, install, maintain, and remove chain link, split rail, snow fences, and dumpster enclosures.

Install, repair, and maintain playground equipment.

Install, remove, and maintain various trees, shrubs, turf, xeriscape, landscape timbers, and retaining walls.

Design, fabricate, and install vinyl signs following District codes.

Layout baseball, softball, football, and soccer fields. Install/renovate and maintain athletic turf, skinned areas, and apparatus.

Layout, design, and paint parking lots, athletic field structures, playground equipment, and play pads.

Remove graffiti using high pressure washer and appropriate chemicals.

Remove snow and ice from grounds, including sanding, hauling, and shoveling.

Assist in relocation of temporary buildings, including irrigation, turf, re-grading, and clean-up.

Apply herbicides and insecticides. Identify various plants and the problems they introduce. Perform other duties as assigned.

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.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: High school diploma/GED required, additional training, course work, or certificates preferred.

EXPERIENCE: 3 or more years of experience in irrigation, fencing, playground, signage, athletic fields, or site maintenance and repair.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EQUIPMENT: Communication, reading, and writing skills. Thorough knowledge of all aspects of landscape and grounds maintenance functions. Ability to read schematics and blueprints and to work flexible shifts. Operating knowledge of and experience with various hand tools and equipment, including backhoe, dump truck, trencher, compressor, chipper, top dresser, roto-tiller, mower, aerator, loader, high-pressure washer, tree spade, grass rake, skid steer, welding equipment, and acetylene torch.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: Valid drivers license required. Class A Commercial Drivers License required within 6 months of hire date. Herbicide applicator license, Certified Landscape Technician, Certified Irrigation Technician, Certified Playground Inspector, Certified Sports Field Manager, Certified Arborist or Master Gardener Certification are preferred. Must pass District Pre-Employment physical.

Person with a job required CDL are subject to random drug screenings, and must meet all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse requirements. This may include registering with the Clearinghouse and consenting for the City to perform a limited and/or full query as defined by the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.

SUPERVISION/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY: Directs work and trains Area Grounds Worker - Entry positions and seasonal employees. Act as a resource for entry level Grounds Workers and seasonal employees by providing training.

CONTACTS: Daily contact with persons in the same work unit/department to handle routine matters, and with persons outside department/building to provide a service. Weekly contact with vendors or suppliers to exchange information.

SAFETY TO SELF AND OTHERS: High exposure to self and others to bruises and cuts due to using/mishandling equipment and tools. High exposure to self to hernia due to lifting and to repetitive motion injuries due to tool usage. Medium exposure to self and others to heat burns due to welding equipment. Low exposure to self and others to chemical burns and loss of sight due to herbicides and cleaning chemicals, and fractured bones, loss of limb, disfigurement, and fatality due to equipment and tool use and/or vehicle or equipment accidents.

The physical demands, work environment characteristics, and mental functions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and outside weather conditions/sun exposure. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; loud noises and vibration.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to analyze, communicate, and use interpersonal skills. The employee is frequently required to compare, coordinate, evaluate, and compile. The employee is occasionally required to copy, instruct, compute, synthesize, and negotiate.

JUDGMENT AND DECISION-MAKING: Work is assigned by Group Leader - Landscape Services or, in his/her absence, by Assistant Group Leader. This position requires technical knowledge to complete grounds duties. Work is guided by District and Department guidelines, policies, and procedures; Department of Transportation regulations; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Guidelines on Playground Safety; negotiated agreement; Colorado Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's Act; and industry standards. Decision-making requires collaboration with Group Leader, Assistant Group Leader, Principals, site managers, and Building Engineers. Errors in decision making could result in inadequate grounds repair or maintenance or mishandling equipment, tools, and/or chemicals, jeopardizing the safety of individuals on District grounds. Supervisor is occasionally involved in decision making.

DIVERSITY OF DUTIES: Duties require field technician skill in irrigation, landscape construction, fencing, signage, and playground equipment, and cross training in all aspects of grounds maintenance; training skills; basic carpentry, plumbing, and welding; and basic understanding of back flow prevention devices. Duties extend within immediate department on a daily basis.

Jeffco Salary Schedules

Jeffco Benefits

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.