Groundskeeper

Groundskeeper

Lake Forest Academy seeks a full-time candidate that can work regular daytime hours throughout the year, as well as periodic weekends and holidays during school and weather events. Grounds maintenance workers work under the guidance and supervision of the grounds maintenance foreman and/or the Grounds Manager. Candidates with active certifications in heavy machinery and/or herbicide/pesticide control are preferred, but not required.

The Groundskeeper landscapes or maintains grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Work typically consists of a variety of tasks; examples include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, edging, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, irrigation, sweeping of parking lots and sidewalks, snow and ice management, and sports field setup and maintenance. The general responsibilities of the position include those listed below, but Lake Forest Academy may identify other responsibilities of the position to meet business needs. 

General Responsibilities:

• Mows lawns and trims grass around walks, flower beds, trees and walls.

• Prunes shrubs and trees, at the direction of the immediate Supervisor, to shape and improve growth.

• Removes fallen or damaged leaves, branches, and twigs using mowers, tractors and other hand and power tools.

• Lays out and maintains flower beds, mulch beds, or other decorative vegetation.

• Maintains and sharpens tools and makes minor repairs on equipment, as needed.

• Plants, fertilizes, waters and uses weed and insect control products at the direction of the immediate Supervisor to maintain grass, flowers, trees and shrubs.

• Removes snow and ice from walks, roads and driveways, utilizing hand tools, machines or vehicles.

• Spreads salt, picks up litter, rakes, removes debris from hard surfaces.

• Cleans drainage ditches and culverts, including, but not limited to the filling of potholes and the sweeping of accumulated debris along curb lines.

• Maintains driveways and parking lots.

• Repairs fences, gates, walls, irrigation systems, walks and outbuildings using carpentry, masonry and painting tools.

• May perform marking and maintenance of sports fields.

• Performs routine cleaning and maintenance on gardening and grounds equipment.

• May operate trucks and assorted power equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, and pruning saws.

• May participate in the setup and tear-down of event furniture, such as tables, chairs and tents.

• May participate in the movement of furniture, supplies and material.

• Attends training programs (classroom and virtual) as designated.

• Complies with all company safety and risk management policies and procedures.

• Reports all accidents and injuries in a timely manner.

• Participates in regular safety meetings, safety training and hazard assessments.

• Applies all applicable OSHA and related local safety requirements to all assigned work.

• Performs all work in accordance with established safety procedures.

• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Willingness to be open to learning and growing.

• Maturity of judgment and behavior.

• Maintains high standards for work areas and appearance.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule.

• Must comply with any dress code requirements.

• Must be able to work nights, weekends and some holidays.

• Attends work and shows up for scheduled shifts on time within attendance policy and/or client operating hours.

Experience/Knowledge:

• 1 years working in related landscaping, golf course maintenance, athletic sports fields, or general grounds maintenance worker, including snow removal practices

• Must possess valid driver’s license and have reliable form of transportation

• Maintains high standards for work areas and to think on their own

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some nights, weekends, and holidays

• Attends work and shows up for scheduled shift on time with satisfactory regularity

• Effective working either individually or in a crew setting throughout the day

Skills/Aptitude:

• Ability to present self in a highly professional manner to others and understands that honesty and ethics are essential.

• Ability to maintain a positive attitude.

• Ability to communicate with co-workers and other departments with professionalism and respect.

• Ability to maintain a professional relationship with all coworkers, vendor representatives, supervisors, managers, customers and client representatives.

• Ability to use all relevant electronic and communication devices.

• Adapts procedures, processes, tools equipment and techniques to accomplish the requirements of the position.

• Ability to effectively communicate policies, and/or procedures in a manner easily understood by fellow employees.

• Knowledge of and proficiency in all OSHA and local requirements related to all assigned work.

License/Qualifications:

• Possess valid driver’s license if assigned to drive a vehicle.

• Candidates with other certifications, such as pesticide/herbicide application license(s) and/or for certain Heavy Equipment, will be given preference and paid accordingly.

Physical Requirements:

• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses.

• Significant walking or other means of mobility.

• Ability to work in a standing position for long periods of time (up to 8 hours).

• Ability to reach, bend, stoop, push and/or pull, and frequently lift up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift/move 40 pounds.

Working Conditions (may add additional conditions specific to defined work location):

• Work is performed in an outdoor setting, twelve months out of the year.

• Varying schedule to include evenings, holidays, weekends, and extended hours as business dictates.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to heat/cold.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

• Wears protective clothing and/or Personal Protective Equipment required by the work environment or governmental regulations.

Working Hours: 

• 6:00 am - 2:30 pm; Monday - Friday. Some weekends and holidays are required during school and weather events.

• This position requires on-call snow removal responsibilities in the winter months that will be in addition to the normal working hours

• Winter months:

  • We are an active campus with students, sporting events, and faculty living on site that sometimes requires snow removal duties to be performed in shifts at all times of the day and on call for weekends. 

  • Starting before 6:00 am and after 2:30 pm during snow events and an active school calendar should be expected

Compensation:

Lake Forest Academy offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes full medical and dental coverage, retirement benefit, and other benefits. The final hourly pay rate will be commensurate with the experience and expertise of the final appointed candidate, with a range between $17.00-$24.00 per hour and 15 days of PTO. For more information, visit www.lfanet.org/employment.

About Us:

Founded in 1857, Lake Forest Academy is a coed boarding school serving 450 academically bright and motivated students in grades 9 to 12 from across the globe. The Academy offers a rigorous curriculum focused on academic excellence and characterized by small classes and close faculty/student interaction. The school's mission of educational excellence is founded on the four pillars of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.  Please visit our website http://www.lfanet.org/ for more information about us.

Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.  

Employment at Lake Forest Academy is "at-will," which means either you or Lake Forest Academy may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason without prior notice. 

In accordance with Lake Forest Academy’s policies and state and federal law, receipt of this position is contingent upon the individual’s successful completion of all requirements to establish the legal right to work in the United States, as well as a background check.  In the event Lake Forest Academy has not received a complete background check prior to the first day of employment, employment will be on a temporary basis until such results are successfully completed.

Non-discrimination Policy:

Lake Forest Academy is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. This means Lake Forest Academy will not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, color, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, transitioned, transitioning or perceived to be transitioning), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), marital status, domestic partner status, pregnancy and breastfeeding, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics or information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.

Lake Forest Academy reasonably accommodates employees and/or applicants with disabilities provided the individual is otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of the job.  If you believe that you need a reasonable accommodation, you must inform Lake Forest Academy’s Director of Human Resources.