The Grounds and Events Lead directs, coordinates, schedules, performs, and inspects grounds maintenance work for the University campus. This role ensures that all groundwork is completed in accordance with university standards. The Grounds and Events Lead is supervised by the Senior Grounds Foreman and is responsible for supervising full-time, part-time, and student employees.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Activity Documentation: Maintain a binder of daily activities related to ground maintenance and event setups.
• Checklist Compliance: Complete daily checklists to ensure all ground maintenance and event standards are met.
• Customer Service: Provide high-level customer service in a public setting, addressing and resolving any issues that arise during events or maintenance tasks.
• Emergency Response: Respond to emergency calls during business and non-business hours, taking appropriate corrective action as required.
• Event Oversight & Setup: Direct all aspects of event setup and breakdown, including customer service, table settings, linens, and equipment placement, following planning documents, timelines, and checklists.
• Final Inspections: Conduct final walkthroughs of event spaces and ground areas before and after tasks are completed to ensure quality and adherence to standards.
• Fleet & Equipment Management: Coordinate regular and unexpected fleet maintenance, ensuring all vehicles and equipment are routinely checked for proper fluid levels, tire pressure, and cleanliness.
• Furniture & Equipment Management: Move furniture and equipment based on approved requests and ensure storage areas are organized and in excellent condition.
• Grounds Maintenance: Perform and oversee routine lawn maintenance tasks, including mowing, planting, trimming, blowing, and watering of turf, shrubs, flowers, and trees.
• May assist the Sr. Foreman with overseeing the irrigation system.
• Maintenance Notification: Notify Facilities Management of maintenance issues and document them as required.
• Quality Assurance & Inspection: Inspect work in progress and complete tasks to ensure they meet University standards, operating procedures, and safety regulations.
• Relocations & Trash Removal: Manage campus office relocations and ensure daily trash removal is completed efficiently.
• Safety & Efficiency: Oversee staff efficiency, safety, and compliance with work standards for both grounds maintenance and event support, ensuring all applicable safety regulations and codes are followed.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Management: Maintain current Safety Data Sheets for all chemicals used by grounds staff.
• Supervision & Scheduling: Assist management in scheduling and prioritize the daily activities of grounds staff in collaboration with the Senior Grounds Foreman and Senior Facilities, Grounds and Operations Manager.
• Training & Development: Train grounds crew to ensure adherence to quality standards, task completion, and operational success.
• Vendor & Regulatory Compliance: Ensure vendors comply with the Facilities Management Contractor Handbook and adhere to all relevant safety regulations and codes.
• Work Orders & Record Keeping: Review and assign tasks from work orders, manage employee work management, timecard review, and data input. Maintain accurate records, reports, inventories, and staff evaluations.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Anticipates, listens to, understands and is responsive to customer needs. Delivers work products and services to customers in a way that reflects positively upon the department and the University.
• Exhibits student centeredness in performance of all job duties.
• Provide FM Operations Manager with requirements for supplies and materials. The FM Director must approve all purchases and expenses, and the requests processed via the FM Operations Manager.
• Treats all others with respect; understands the impact of culture/background on the behavior of others; respects differences among the Life community and demonstrates inclusive behavior.
• Willing to initiate ideas, methods and or practices that allow the department and the University be more effective.

Education, Training and/or Experience

• A High School Diploma (or equivalent)
• Five (5) years of previous experience related experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

• Able to perform duties independently with minimal supervision provided.
• Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
• Must be skilled in operating power tools and machinery.
• Knowledge of proper gardening techniques and plant materials.
• Strong attention to detail; ability to organize work and perform duties with a high level of accuracy.
• Must be able to work well with diverse groups of individuals and build and manage relationships.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work together as a collaborative team, flexibility in a dynamic work environment.
• Energetic, positive, can do attitude, great work ethic.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely and effective manner, attention to detail.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in operating ground-related equipment, i.e., edgers, mowers, etc.
• Strong knowledge of local & adapted annual flowers, perennials, shrubs, trees, and planting materials as well as horticulturally proper maintenance practices.
• Supervisory experience.

Certifications, Licenses, registrations

Valid Georgia Drivers License is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to lift between 40 lbs. individually and up to 60 lbs. with assistance.
• Other physical requirements are pushing/pulling carts weighing up to 100 lbs.; retrieving and placing materials on high shelves and on floor-level shelves; standing, walking; carrying; grasping; hearing; seeing; sitting; kneeling; climbing; balancing; stooping; crouching and reaching.
• Requires ability to communicate and exchange information, collects, compiles, compares, and prepares work documents, sets up and maintain work files.
• The nature of work requires an ability to operate standard grounds-related equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Exposure to dust, pollen, noxious chemicals, fuel, lubricants, solvents, and poisonous plants and/or animals is possible.
• May require availability for overtime hours during special events.
• Must wear gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs, insect repellant, and other necessary protective wear.
• This position will commonly complete tasks in inclement conditions including heat, humidity, cold, and rain.
• Work performed in an outside working environment.