Grounds Lead - Grounds

• Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years. 

Job Summary:

To oversee and instruct employees that prepare, maintain and landscape grounds and athletic fields; to perform grounds maintenance duties as required by district standards; to maintain the cleanliness and safe conditions of a school environment.

Prior to employment or during the first 3 months of new hire probationary period, drug and alcohol testing shall be required of all new contract employees who work in Grounds. Any applicants having a confirmed positive test shall not be eligible for employment. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise employees and perform landscaping, maintenance and preparation of the grounds and athletic fields of assigned schools
• Install, maintain, fertilize and over-seed athletic fields as needed
• Instruct employees on the proper and safe use of equipment and supplies
• Maintain accurate inventory of equipment and supplies of assigned areas, maintain accurate pesticide application records
• Program and perform maintenance on manual and automatic irrigation systems
• Operate and maintain all necessary Grounds equipment to insure safe and clean environment (mowers, sweepers, tractors, etc.)
• Dispense/apply fertilizers, pesticides & soil additives as instructed
• Regular and on-time attendance required
• Assist in determining supply and equipment requirements for budgeting purposes
• Assist in training of all department employees of various new products and equipment
• Retrieve and compile information as required from usage of products and equipment
• Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools 

Required Qualifications: 

• Must have and maintain a valid Arizona driver’s license within 90 days of start of employment
• Valid, or ability to obtain within six (6) months, Pesticide Applicators License from the State of AZ, Office of Pest Management
• Minimum two years’ experience in landscape maintenance; knowledge of manual and automatic irrigation systems
• Working knowledge and experience of athletic field layout, preparation and maintenance
• Working knowledge and experience in the use and care of Grounds equipment and supplies 

Preferred Qualifications:

• High School education or equivalent

Skills & Competencies:

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Familiar with herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers
• Able to perform heavy manual labor
• Ability to organize and plan ahead; ability to supervise employees
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, employees and school staff, good written and verbal communication skills 

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Primarily outdoors in various weather condition (sun, rain, wind, cold, heat)
• Exposure to dust, pollen, fertilizers, pesticides, and other landscape-related chemicals
• Works on school campuses, athletic fields, playgrounds, parking lots, and surrounding grounds
• Office or maintenance facility for planning, scheduling, meetings, and documentation
• Usually full-time with early morning hours; may include overtime or weekend work during emergencies or special events (e.g., preparing fields for sports games)
• Regular exposure to loud equipment (mowers, blowers, chainsaws, etc.)
• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects (up to 100 lbs.), such as bags of soil, tools, or equipment parts 

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: 

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.