Skilled Laborer II (Hoisting License)

Title: Skilled Laborer II (Hoisting License)

Executive Area: Administration and Finance

College/School/MBU: Facilities Management

Department: Grounds and Events

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

Provides for the care and maintenance of lawns, trees, shrubs, flower beds, walks, roadways, and parking lots. Reports directly to Head of Grounds Services section. Functional supervision received from the Maintenance Working Foreman.

Essential Functions

Practices and promotes excellent customer service in the workplace. Meets routinely with customers and Customer Service Representatives to determine their needs. Implements new approaches to promote and assure quality improvements and exhibits a clear commitment to the diverse needs of customers.

Switches and installs attachments such as mowers, plow blades, forks, leaf catcher buckets, and vacuum cleaners to tractors, trucks, and other multi-purpose vehicles in order to equip vehicles for grass cutting, roadway cleaning, snow removal, and other grounds operations.

Organizes tasks and disseminates work assignments for various grounds operations.

Implements horticultural and landscape designs for special events and campus plant displays.

Identifies repair and replacement needs by observing and evaluating equipment, sprinkler systems, parking areas, fields, and various grounds and landscape areas.

Ensures that adequate materials are available to complete assignments in a timely manner by requesting materials, supplies, and equipment.

Performs a variety of groundskeeping tasks including identifying and troubleshooting issues with plants, shrubs, turf, and trees; trimming, pruning, planting, seeding, watering, weeding, fertilizing, and spraying vegetation; and assisting in the design and planning of floral beds for landscape beautification.

Cuts lawns using hand mower or power mower. Uses string trimmers and edgers for lawn maintenance.

Performs related duties such as emptying rubbish barrels; sweeping walks; picking up litter; cleaning ditches, drains and catch basins on grounds or roadways; shoveling snow; and raking leaves.

Operates lawn and grounds equipment such as power saws, power brooms, backpack blowers, and bucket loaders and other similar power equipment for landscape maintenance.

Operates light trucks to transport tools and equipment and to travel to the worksite; uses light to moderate heavy equipment to move soil, dig holes, relocate trees, and re-sod lawns for landscape maintenance.

Performs snow removal operations by operating light trucks, snow blowers, power shovels, shovels, etc.

Assists in the backfilling and grading of various materials on slopes and level grades, paying attention to detail and working in a neat and orderly manner.

Supports campus events (Commencement, Founder’s Day, Move-In) and approved student activities as needed.

Uses power washer in the removal of graffiti from sidewalks and other landscape elements.

May be required to assist pest control section.

Ensures safe work area and uses safe work practices.

Adjusts, cleans, and performs minor mechanical work on landscape equipment.

Performs job duties in an environmentally compliant and reasonable manner reflective of Facilities & Campus Services policies, procedures, and goals relative to environmental compliance and stewardship.

Provides functional supervision to employees of an equal or lesser grade.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Massachusetts Class 2B Hoisting License.

Class D Driver’s License.

Must possess at least one (1) year of work experience in landscape maintenance.

Must possess at least one (1) year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in operating multi-purpose vehicles with large, complex attachments and/or in organizing tasks and implementing designs for horticultural and other grounds projects.

Ability to functionally supervise other employees.

Working knowledge of types and uses of common hand tools.

Ability to use and make minor repairs to small tools and simple mechanical equipment.

Ability to operate tools used in landscape maintenance, including chain saws, string trimmers, etc.

Ability to operate light dump trucks and related equipment.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods and under varying climatic conditions.

Ability to operate landscaping equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator’s License.

CDL Class B with Air Brake Endorsement.

Additional Details

This position is essential. This includes the obligation to work overtime, to return to work between scheduled shifts when directed, and to report to work during any delays, early departures, and closures. Incumbent is responsible for updating the service desk with current phone number.

Incumbent must ensure service desk is provided with a current phone number for use in callbacks.

Knowledge of applicable University rules and regulations.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in outdoor environments, and requires exposure to weather, and regular lifting or use of equipment.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Sunday-Thursday; 7am-3pm.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: AFSCME Grade 12

Classified Step Scale

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.