Engineer (Grounds)

Position Summary:

The Grounds Engineer is responsible for maintaining the school’s outdoor areas and assisting with indoor maintenance and custodial tasks to ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for students, staff, and visitors. This position combines landscaping, snow removal, and outdoor upkeep with light building maintenance and cleaning responsibilities. Provides leadership over the district’s day-to-day operations in their assigned building by maintaining a clean, sanitary, orderly and safe workplace. Engineers perform all aspects of Preventative maintenance, light mechanical and cleaning operations completing proper forms and schedules, operation of equipment in a safe manner. Engineers maintain an assigned cleaning area and perform to standards of care established by the Office of Operations.

Essential Functions (Including but not limited to):

• Mow, trim, edge, and water lawns; prune trees and shrubs; weed and maintain landscaped areas.

• Perform seasonal work such as snow plowing, shoveling, and salting walkways in winter; leaf collection in fall.

• Operate and perform routine & preventative maintenance on grounds equipment, including mowers, trimmers, blowers, and snow removal machinery, in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and District procedures to ensure safe operation, peak performance, and equipment longevity. Report equipment malfunctions requiring repair or adjustment to the appropriate supervisor or qualified maintenance personnel.

• Perform ground inspections and ensure any unsafe conditions are corrected.

• Coordinate building snow removal and de-icing activities to ensure student, staff, and public safety. Care for lawns and shrubs; clean sidewalks and driveways.

• Perform daily perimeter inspections and cleaning of the Hammes Field team rooms, ensuring the facility is secure, clean, operationally ready, and any maintenance or safety concerns are promptly reported.

• Perform light maintenance tasks including changing light bulbs, minor repairs, and basic plumbing fixes.

• Assist custodial staff with cleaning floors, restrooms, locker rooms, and common areas as needed.

• Set up and tear down furniture, equipment, and supplies for school functions and events.

• Coordinate and assist with the setup of facilities for meetings, classes, conferences, events, etc., and develop alternate cleaning schedules to cover vacancies internally.

• Respond to work orders and maintenance requests promptly and effectively.

• Monitor the state of the building to detect and anticipate issues and problems that may arise and take corrective action.

• Submit work orders to correct building mechanical, structural, life safety, and support conditions.

• Lock and unlock assigned buildings; secure buildings when not in use by checking for unlocked doors and windows, reporting unauthorized occupants, and ensuring lights are turned off.

• Maintain clean and organized storage areas for tools, cleaning equipment, and supplies.
  

• Requisition, receive, and account for equipment, materials, and supplies.

• Follow all safety procedures and wear appropriate PPE.

• Maintain accurate records of work performed and report issues to the Head Engineer.

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

• Collaborate with the custodial and maintenance team to ensure facilities are ready for daily operations and special events.

• Perform other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position and actively support the RUSD Strategic Plan.

Supervision Received:

Receives direction from the Head or Lead and/or the Facilities Supervisor. The Engineer establishes methods and procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives and receives guidance in terms of broad goals. Only the results of work are typically reviewed.

Supervision Exercised:

Engineer is responsible for the supervision of the custodial staff including but not limited to assigning duties; outlining work methods; directing work in process; reviewing completed work; providing input into employee evaluations and providing ongoing formative feedback; taking or recommend disciplinary action.

1. Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.

2. Minimum of one (1) year of experience as a Shift Engineer, or two (2) years of progressively responsible custodial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

3. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively while exercising initiative, sound judgment, and dependability.

4. Ability to effectively organize, prioritize, and schedule work assignments.

5. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships while providing a high level of customer service to staff, students, vendors, contractors, and the public.

6. Demonstrated commitment to excellent attendance and reliability.

7. Knowledge of building mechanical systems, equipment, grounds maintenance equipment, and facility operations.

8. Knowledge of the safe operation, maintenance, and proper use of equipment, tools, and machinery in accordance with departmental procedures.

9. Knowledge of occupational safety practices, environmental requirements, OSHA regulations, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and the proper handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials.

10. Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and District policies related to assigned responsibilities.

11. Knowledge of modern office practices, recordkeeping, reporting procedures, and basic computer applications.

12. Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position, including lifting up to 50 pounds on a repetitive basis and 100 pounds occasionally, pushing and pulling equipment, bending, climbing, stooping, kneeling, and working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

13. If all qualifications are not met at the time of hire, the District may assist the selected candidate in developing a plan to obtain the required qualifications where permitted by District policy.

Ability to:

1. Use tools and supplies properly when cleaning building areas, including the knowledge and ability to clean tools, supplies and equipment to ensure they remain in good working condition.

2. Apply safety laws, rules, methods and procedures when cleaning building areas and disposing of hazardous materials, including applying applicable OSHA regulations, and to recognize and take appropriate action in situations that may pose a risk to others.

3. Provide information and assistance to customers, and to interact effectively with co-workers, supervisors and others.

4. Apply ethical standards when cleaning building areas.

The Engineer is required to wear and maintain a uniform, ensuring a professional appearance while representing the

Work Environment:

Physical Demands:

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform using a full range of motions including standing, sitting, talking, hearing, and using hands and fingers to operate a computer and job-related equipment, intermittent bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, crawling and reaching to execute job duties.

Safety:

Employee is responsible for taking all steps necessary to protect yourself and others against occupational accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Employee is responsible for ensuring all work performed meets the highest industry standards and is done in compliance with all local, state and federal requirements.

Contacts with other departments, outside organizations, and the general public:

Daily interaction with all departments, school personnel, vendors and service providers, the public and private organizations using district facilities.

Statement of Supervisor:

Performs a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature. Frequently, the application of multiple, technical activities is employed; therefore, analytical ability and inductive thinking are required. Problem solving involves identification and analysis of diverse issues. Requires regular contacts with internal persons of importance and influence involving considerable tact, discretion and persuasion in obtaining the cooperation of others. Requires the handling of delicate/sensitive relationships and complex situations.

Performs with frequent interruptions and/or distractions. Makes appropriate job decisions following standard operating procedures and best practices. Recognizes an emergency and take appropriate action. Thinks through the consequences of a decision prior to making it. Must have the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and the public. Complete heavy workload within established time frames. Adjusts priorities quickly as circumstances dictate.