Description of Primary Duties

• 1. Performs tasks common to the care of grounds and landscapes by seeding, watering, mulching, fertilizing, and applying chemicals to outside plantings, lawns and turf, as well as inside flowers and cuttings used in transplanting;
• inspecting plant materials for insects, disease, physical and mechanical damage and identifying replacements; transplanting, pruning, trimming, and cultivating trees, shrubs, ground cover, and flowers;

and storing and caring for bulbs and cuttings in the winter season.

weeding, thinning and cleaning flower beds and other grounds by hand or utilizing proper tools and equipment; and setting up, adjusting, repairing, and cleaning irrigation systems.

3. Provides a record of grounds and landscape watering and chemical spraying by keeping daily logs of areas watered and duration of watering and the application of chemicals, including areas sprayed, amount and type of chemicals used, substances sprayed and reason, and the wind speed and direction at time of spraying.

4. Performs campus-wide general maintenance and repairs by installing, removing, repairing and maintaining landscape lighting, parking meters, signs, cables, chains, barricades, gates, bicycle racks, feeders, posts, fences, and rock walls;

and repairing streets, parking lots, athletic fields, tennis courts, track and omni turf, as applicable.

5. Removes unsightly trash and debris from public areas by regularly inspecting grounds, drains, manhole covers, etc., for debris;

raking, sweeping and bagging leaves, debris, dirt and trash from streets, sidewalks, parking lots, tunnels, and transporting the trash to designated central collection points on a daily basis.

6. Reduces the likelihood for the spread of diseases and unsightly appearance of trash containers in public areas by emptying, cleaning and disinfecting trash and cigarette receptacles on a regular basis, and removing, repairing and installing trash and cigarette receptacles on University property on an as needed basis.

7. Assists in preventing accidents resulting from snow or ice covered walkways by removing mowing decks and installing snow removal equipment on riding mowers and tractors;

operating snow blowers, tractors or mowers with blades and using shovels to remove snow and spread sand, chat and salt on snow- or ice-covered surfaces.

8. Prepares outdoor locations for use by visitors, vendors, and the public as needed by campus operations and, if applicable, painting and marking athletic fields, moving bleachers and seating, and erecting portable goals or other athletic equipment.

9. Applies chemicals used in groundskeeping (horticulture, turf management, and floriculture) properly and safely by wearing prescribed protective clothing, masks, and / or rubber gloves and boots, following either written or verbal directions for mixing chemical compounds according to specifications, applying the chemicals properly on grounds and landscapes designated for their use, and disposing of residual chemical products as directed or storing and labeling them for future use.

10. Safely operates light vehicles such as pick-up trucks, tractors, street sweepers or riding mowers and portable power tools and equipment such as saws, grass trimmers, snow / leaf blowers, sprayers, paint machines and other groundskeeping equipment by obeying applicable traffic laws and following operator instructions, and wearing appropriate safety items such as goggles, gloves, or other appropriate protective clothing.

11. Ensures that grounds maintenance equipment and building maintenance equipment are operational by performing routine and preventative maintenance and cleaning of tools, equipment and machines within reasonable capabilities.

12. Replaces and disposes of light bulbs in interior building settings using ladders, lifts, or other tools.

13. Performs painting work in the preparation, patching, finishing, and maintaining of building structures, walls, woodwork, furniture, and equipment.

14. Performs delivery services by identifying supplies, materials, and equipment to be delivered from invoices or order forms, safely loading items on the delivery vehicle, safeguarding items during transit, delivering items to the correct department, and obtaining the appropriate signature for the receipt of the delivered items.

15. Assists with management and accountability of surplus property items by retrieving surplus property items as directed, recording the transfer of accountability for the items, and returning the surplus property items to the University warehouse or Springfield warehouse.

16. Performs custodial services following established procedures and guidelines in buildings, classrooms, offices, lavatories, restrooms, etc.

including their furnishings, using manual tools and powered machines.

17. Performs minor maintenance work using hand and power tools by making carpentry repairs such as nailing down loose boards, or replacing worn or rotten floor boards, performing minor plumbing repairs, and replacing defective electrical switches, light bulbs, fuses, and fluorescent ballasts.

18. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

19. Contributes to the overall success of the campus by performing all other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Education : A high school diploma or the equivalent is required.

Experience : At least two years of experience in groundskeeping is required, where knowledge of the methods, materials and equipment used in planting, cultivating, and trimming a variety of types of trees, shrubs, ground cover, flowers and grasses has been gained;

an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for the requirement. Knowledge of the use and proper disposal of chemicals used in groundskeeping (horticulture, turf management, and floriculture) is preferred.

Skills : The ability to read English language sufficiently to understand written work orders and instructions as well as directions for the proper mixture, use, and disposal / storage of cleaners, solvents, chemicals, fertilizers and similar products used in groundskeeping is required.

Skill in the proper operation and maintenance of grounds maintenance tools, equipment, and machinery is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

The ability to identify and eradicate disease or insect damage to plant and turf materials is preferred.

Effort : Requires the ability to lift and carry groundskeeping supplies and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis and up to pounds on an occasional basis, prolonged walking or standing, and frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching on a daily basis.

Requires a full range of physical motion in order to operate manual, electrically-powered and / or gasoline-powered groundskeeping equipment and machines.

Requires the ability to access facilities and areas which may only be accessible by climbing stairs or by climbing ladders to a height of 20 feet for tree trimming).

Must be able to move throughout assigned areas, as the work is performed primarily out-of-doors, year round. Employees in this job classification (job title) are designated as essential employees and must report to work as scheduled when University offices are closed due to severe weather.

License : Must have a valid motor vehicle operators license. Possession of a public pesticide applicators license is preferred.

Other : Scope of the position requires exposure to and use of chemical compounds for application on trees, shrubs, ground cover, flowers, and grasses which may be hazardous and cause injury if specific instructions regarding their mixture, application, use and disposal / storage are not properly followed.

Additional Qualifications

Last updated : 2024-05-20