GROUNDS AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST

Job Description

The Grounds/Facilities Maintenance Specialist at Tulsa Educare is responsible for the routine upkeep of Tulsa Educare’s environments. Tulsa Educare’s Grounds/Facilities Maintenance Specialist should model these essential qualities:

• Driven to create and maintain a safe environment where children can play and learn
• Self-motivated, dependable and physically able to perform manual tasks in various environments
• Independent and creative thinker
• Ability to quickly adapt to changes, demands and initiatives
• Ability to manage successful conflict resolution
• Ability to operate machinery
• Qualified (and not prohibited) to work around children
• Ability to travel to various Educare locations within Tulsa County
• Ability to handle chemicals
• Driven to follow Tulsa Educare’s Shared Values: Learning, Relationships, Commitment and Data
• Legally authorized to work in the United States

The functions outlined in this job description are examples of the general nature of those performed by employees in this position. Any combination of these functions and responsibilities may be performed.  The list is for descriptive purposes only.  Management retains the right to revise job functions at any time.  These functions are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

Landscaping

• Custom design and installation of warm and cool season annuals at landscaping beds where designated.
• Arbor health assessment as needed 
• Raking, smoothing and compaction of decomposed granite (DG) in Naturescape areas
• Trimming, cutting back, and pruning of all plants, shrubs, hedges, and grasses in the planting beds
• Fertilization of all planting beds, shrubs, ornamentals and Naturescape, including handling chemicals

Landscaping Maintenance

• Aerification of sod as to alleviate compaction in Naturescape lawn areas (up to 2 times per year)
• Implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to maintain disease and insect control
• Monitoring, troubleshooting, repair and seasonal start up and winterization of irrigation system and Naturescape hand pumps
• Seasonal management of watering schedules for planting bed areas
• Inspection of all drainage catch basins and pipe and adjustments
• Replacement of existing landscape plants in late stages of decline or that are no longer viable or desired
• Seasonal addition, replacement of or fluffing, touch up and raking of decomposed granite (DG), sod, dirt and mulch
• Addition of dirt and grading of Mud Pit Areas
• Tree trimming, tree removal or other additional tree services 

General Maintenance

• Inspects buildings and other structures to determine functional systems and detect malfunctions and needed repair making notes and recommendations.
• Performs minor painting, carpentry and masonry work (e.g. preparing surfaces and using brush, sprayer, or roller to apply paints, stains, and varnishes, hanging doors, fitting locks and handles, etc.).
• Assembles, installs, positions, and remount’s modular offices and space (e.g. furniture, wall panels, work surfaces, storage bins, lighting, file cabinets, etc.) to accommodate user needs and maximize office space using various hand, power and specialty tools, dollies and hand trucks.
• Monitor campus cleanliness and picks up trash as needed: hallways, lobbies, parking lots, and other work areas.
• Order parts and maintain required documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
• Operating Machinery, as necessary, to complete tasks.
• Handling chemicals

Broad knowledge and experience in:

• Horticulture science and techniques including planting, turf care, and landscape management
• Following safety criteria when performing general maintenance in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC repair including operating equipment, ladder safety, and general OSHA safety guidelines.
• Organizational skills with attention to detail and project follow-up
• Prioritizing daily tasks with flexibility to adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to work well within public spaces while considering children and families
• Must be able to meet physical, mental, and working conditions.

HS Diploma/G.E.D required.

Ability to establish an effective professional manner in all dealings with clients, the general public, co-workers, and vendors.  Must be dependable and flexible with regard to working. Position travels between school sites, valid driver’s license and reliable transportation is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires a moderate amount of time standing, walking and sitting with routine lifting, carrying up to 50 lbs and pushing up to 100 lbs. Work performed requires a moderate amount of climbing stairs or ladders and similar requirements for kneeling, crouching, crawling, turning/twisting and bending at the waist. Reaching above the head and shoulders, handling, feeling, and finger dexterity is required for up to 60% of assignments and an extensive requirement for effective eye-hand/eye-hand-foot coordination exists for this position.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Position requires employee to work outside (approximately 95% of the time) in both clement and inclement (hot, cold and wet) weather conditions; due to nature of work assignments, employee may be subject to unavoidable potential hazards related to mechanical tools and moving objects as well as some exposure to electrical, burn, heights, cramped quarter and noise hazards; the duties of the job will place the employee in situations (20%-60 % of the time) which involve exposure to atmospheric conditions such as dirt, fumes, dusts, odors, oil/grease, gases, chemicals, pesticides, etc. common to gardening, landscaping and lawn care.

Qualifications