Grounds Keeper Seasonal

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in maintaining the facility’s exterior appearance, grounds and vegetation in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, to assure that the highest degree of care and/or services can be always maintained. This position is a seasonal position and reports to the Director of Maintenance.

JOB FUNCTIONS

The Facility has reviewed this job description to ensure that the essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Facility reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Facility may deem appropriate.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Gather and remove litter. Dispose of trash or waste materials properly.
• Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge trimmers, or axes.
• Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
• Water lawns, trees or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans. Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
• Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws. Install equipment to protect or support trees. Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
• Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders. Use required personal protective equipment as directed.
• Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
• Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.
• Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
• Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
• Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.
• Decorate gardens with stones or plants.
• Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, planters, or other grounds features.
• Cultivate lawns or gardens as directed.
• Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.
• Haul or spread topsoil, mulch, or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education:       High School Diploma

Experience:     prior experience with maintaining landscaping or groundskeeping preferred.

Certificates & Licenses: Active and valid Pennsylvania Class C driver’s license required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Not Applicable: Activity is not applicable to this occupation

Occasionally:    Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0-2.5 hrs/day)

Frequently:      Occupation requires this activity from 33%-66% of the time (2.5 – 5.5 hrs/day)

Constantly:       Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5 hrs/day)

Other Physical/Sensory Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language in an understandable manner.  Must be able to read, comprehend and follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Works in exterior areas and other areas as required, as well as throughout the facility.
• Moves frequently during work hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, family members, personnel, visitors, volunteers, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, visitors, etc.
• Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Attends and participates in continuing education programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, and other air contaminants.
• Communicates with departmental personnel and other personnel as required.
• May be subjected to extreme heat or cold in the performance of maintenance/security duties.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.