Grounds Keeper I

Reports To:  Groundskeeper Supervisor

Terms of Employment:  Permanent, 12 Month Position

Nature of Work

Under limited supervision of the grounds supervisor, assists with the maintenance and care of the grounds and related structures and equipment of the school. Work involves the responsibility for safe efficient operation of motorized equipment such as trimmers, edgers, and other types of power equipment. Employee must exercise independent judgment and initiative in performing assigned duties. 

Qualifications and Licensure

• High school diploma or GED and minimal experience 
• Courses in horticulture, preferred
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License (Class A CDL preferred) 
• General knowledge of safety precautions applicable to grounds maintenance
• Some experience in operation and maintenance of grounds’ equipment such as tractors, loaders, dump trucks and small engine equipment such as hedge trimmers, chain saws, blowers, pressure washers, etc. 
• Some knowledge of grounds maintenance and operations
• Some knowledge of planting, cultivating, pruning and trimming shrubs and trees. 
• Some knowledge of pesticides and turf maintenance
• Experience in fence installation, concrete and/or asphalt work preferred 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Installs and repairs new and damaged fencing.
• Orders and maintains all signs. 
• General working knowledge of the departments work order system and the document flow associated with that system.
• Assists with maintenance of playground equipment. 
• Conducts fire ant prevention. 
• Plants grass, trees and shrubs. 
• Prunes, trims and maintains all shrubs and trees to shape and improve growth. 
• Distributes mulch in needed areas.  
• Cleans grounds and removes litter. 
• Assists with concrete and asphalt repair.  
• Paints and stripes new and existing parking lots.
• Maintains athletic fields which can include mowing, fertilizer and lime. 
• Installs sod as needed on school property and athletic fields. 
• Maintains sediment ponds and fixes erosion problems.
• Cleans out drainage ditches and culverts.  
• Maintains and services grounds equipment. 
• Sharpens tools such as weed cutters, edging tools, shears and saws. 
• Delivers supplies to schools as needed.  
• Assists in installation and/or repair of drainage, signs and irrigation. 
• Shovels snow from walkways and driveways. 
• Spreads salt and sand on public passage ways to prevent ice buildup.  
• Records material and time required for tasks. 
• Performs all other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Physical Requirements (if applicable)

• Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including backhoes, bobcats, graders, weed eaters, edgers, blowers, hedge clippers, chain saws, shovels, rakes, etc.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 75 pounds of force frequently, and/or 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 

Special Requirements (if applicable)

• Must possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license. 
• Ability to follow simple oral and written instructions. 
• Ability to work in extreme climate conditions. 
• Ability to work without full time supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments. 
• Some knowledge of computers and electronic devices.

 DISCLAIMER 

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.