Groundskeeper

Description

Job Summary: 

Working collaboratively with the Grounds team, the Groundskeeper is responsible for the care, preparation, and maintenance of the University grounds using hand or power tools or equipment. The Groundskeeper also diagnoses and corrects horticulture problems within the scope of required expertise.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and care for University grounds and athletic fields utilizing various hand or power landscaping tools and equipment, such as: shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or bush trimmers, tractor, one-ton truck/utility car, riding/push lawn mower, leaf blower, aerator, chain saw, sprayer, rototiller, sod cutter, boom lift, backpack sprayer and trailer.
• Plant, fertilize, prune, and maintain the health of trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, lawns and other vegetation; cut downed trees for disposal.
• Prepare chemicals for work application.  Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides onto grass, shrubs or trees using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
• Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters and other grounds features.
• Work with Supervisor and Irrigation Specialist/Lead Groundskeeper to use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
• Gather and remove litter and debris daily, including consistent raking, vacuuming and composting of leaves.
• Perform manual weeding, applying herbicides and pest abatement as needed.
• Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses used on the fields. Repair and reseed turf fields after heavy usage or if damage has occurred.
• Care for established lawns by weeding, removing thatch, trimming and edging around flower beds, walks or walls.  Participate in mowing, aerating and edging lawns and turf repair.
• Remove snow/ice from stairs, porches, walkways, driveways, parking lots and roadways as needed.
• Apply bark dust to shrub beds and tree wells.
• Manually irrigate newly planted areas as needed.
• Work in greenhouse as assigned.
• Participate in preparation/set-up for graduation and special events and other tasks as needed.
• Comply with University safety standards and policies relating to the use of personal protective equipment as required.
• Provide department guidance and/or clarification on department processes assigned to students and temporary employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned including following all University policies and procedures. 

Linfield University participates in E-Verify to verify the identity and work eligibility of all new employees.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Six months to one year of general labor, farming, gardening, nursery, groundskeeping or similar work experience.  Prior experience in landscape maintenance is strongly preferred, including basic knowledge of landscape maintenance tools, equipment, materials, vocabulary, procedures and techniques.
• Ability to effectively communicate with Linfield staff, students and community members.

• Possession of a valid Oregon Driver’s License.  Ability to become and remain certified to operate University vehicles and equipment.

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions, including direction labels.
• Detail orientation, with considerable attention to order and cleanliness.
• Ability to work well in a team or alone, in all weather conditions.
• Ability to perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis.
• Hold or ability to obtain herbicide endorsement and/or applicator’s license.

Physical Requirements:  The physical demands 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.

Work is performed outdoors with exposure to weather. Work is classified as heavy. Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations. Constant balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, grasping, and repetitive movement of hands, wrists and fingers. Frequent climbing, crouching, pulling, talking, and hearing. Occasional crawling, pushing, lifting up to 100 pounds. Exposure to hazards including occupational noise, chemicals, extreme heat, electrical currents, machinery and extreme cold.