Groundskeeper - Facilities Operations

Position Title: Groundskeeper

Department: Facilities Operations

Reports To: Rene Torres, Manager
- Facilities Operations.

Job Purpose: To provide technical and supervisory skills in planning, organizing and directing the maintenance of grounds. Responsible for the maintenance and general beautification of all grounds including gardens, landscaped areas and parking areas.

Essential Duties

Summary:

• Supervises and participates in preparing ground for planting and in planting, cultivating, fertilizing, watering and pruning flowers, shrubs and trees.
• Watches for pests, disease or other deteriorating agents and takes necessary steps for the eradication.
• Assists in the training of other employees in the proper care of lawns and plants, the spraying and cultivation of shrubbery, hedges and trees and the operation and care of tools and equipment.
• Cleans and maintains tools, equipment, materials and supplies.
• Assists with minor irrigation maintenance repairs as needed.
• Recommends the purchase of special fertilizers and insecticides.
• Rearranges flower beds and gardens.
• Operates and prepares grounds care equipment.
• Operates and makes minor repairs on variety of equipment, and provides technical assistance within area of responsibility.
• May be required to have flexible work schedule, to include but not limited to: work evenings, weekends, Holidays, overtime and any campus emergencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

Completion of the 6th grade. Ability to read and write English well enough to comprehend Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on chemicals, and other containers, and to understand work orders, complete time cards, and receive oral and written work.

Required Experience:

Two (2) years of experience in the care of plants, trees, and lawns and the knowledge of the operation of grounds equipment.

Equipment:

Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Exposure to weather, hazardous mechanical equipment, and agricultural chemicals. Outdoor environment; some travel and weekend work is required. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which requires presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Exposure to outside environments, hot, dry, wet, cold; some work in restricted spaces, exposure to dust and dirt, some duties and working conditions may create bodily strain and discomfort.

Other:

Must be physically able to perform duties described above. May occasionally lift heavy objects weighing up to 100 lbs. with or without assistance. Duties involve the lifting, pushing, and moving of heavy objects; digging, stooping, crawling, climbing, reaching, and other manual activities requiring great physical exertion. Danger of hazards and conditions inherent to the trade or assignment. This position will be subject to a pre-employment physical.

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

• Communicates, concisely, and with courtesy.
• Carefully listens to customers or thoroughly reads correspondence, and uses good judgment to respond appropriately. (Customers can be students, external constituents, staff, faculty, or university guests.)
• Communicates requests for further action or resources to appropriate individuals with tact.

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified time frames and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

• Demonstrates the essential skills required to use equipment and tools needed to perform job duties and responsibilities.
• Follows maintenance and operation procedures and safety rules to minimize equipment malfunctions and prevent personal injuries.

• Willingly adjusts to changing…