Lead Grounds Worker

Job Description:

Responsible for maintenance of campus grounds including trees, lawn, flower beds as well as hardscape features. Uses a variety of machinery such as lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers and hand tools to accomplish tasks. Delegates tasks to co-workers and assists supervisor in managerial duties as needed.

University Facilities is committed to the development of an inclusive environment and we strive to advance diverse perspectives and approaches in carrying out the mission of Washington and Lee University.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for planning, training and coordinating the work of co-workers.
  
  
• Approves and accommodates team members requests for time off; adjusts work flow as needed to respond to staffing fluctuations.
  
  
• Mows large lawn areas with zero-turn mowers and tractors.
  
  
• Edges with a small push type edger, trimming turf away from sidewalks and curb edges.
  
  
• Shears shrubs using gas powered hedge clippers.
  
  
• Performs hand weeding in flower beds
  
  
• Cuts back brush, small saplings and small branches using hand held loppers.
  
  
• Uses a chain saw for the removal of large branches and small trees.
  
  
• Plants flowers, shrubs and trees and encourages growth through regular watering.
  
  
• Prunes, hedges, shrubs and trees; cuts flowers and mows lawns; ensures application of fertilizer, pesticides, plant treatments, and other methods to maintain healthy plants and lawns.
  
  
• Installs, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs sprinkler systems valves and electronic controllers; maintains lawn and plant irrigation schedules.
  
  
• Implements campus turf care program including ordering, calculating amounts and applying fertilizer; aeration and topdressing of turf.
  
  
• Uses leaf blowers, turfvacs, power sweepers and other tools or hands to remove trash and debris from grounds.
  
  
• Applies pesticides
  
  
• Operates power equipment such as, but not limited to, ride-on mowers, chippers, power sprayer, aerial-lift truck, flail mower, aerators, edger, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and tractor/loaders as necessary.
  
  
• Responds promptly to work order requests and completes necessary records. Delegates requests in equitable and consistent manner. Prepares written fertilizer and amendment orders, inventories, and schedules.
  
  
• Performs major equipment repair and maintenance as required; purchases supplies as necessary; obtains quotes on equipment parts; trains others in the operation, maintenance and repair of equipment.
  
  
• Complies with all DOT and FMSCA Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Safety Sensitive job function regulations and corresponding University policies and procedures.
  
  
• Supports campus wide activities in the areas of setups, snow and ice removal and any other duties as assigned.
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7am - 3:30pm

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent GED required with 2-3 years experience in grounds maintenance or a combination of education and experience providing a similar skillset. Must be willing to receive additional training as required. Committed to following safety guidelines to protect self and others. Must have strong communication skills and be able to work well with various constituencies across campus. Must be able to follow verbal and written directions and provide responses in writing. Ability to use computers to read and respond to emails and to use basic applications is also required. Must have and maintain a valid Virginia operator's license. As essential personnel, must respond to emergency events and weather conditions. Must have or obtain a VDACS pesticide applicator registered technician certification within 6 months of hire.

Application Instructions: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume. Upload the document to the Resume/CV upload section of the application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

External Applicants: Application instructions for external applicants are located on the jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Instructions are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
  
  
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  
  
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  
  
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
  
  
• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
  
  
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
  
  
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
  
  
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
  
  
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
  
  
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
  
  
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
  
  
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
  
  
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
  
  
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
  
  
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures typically below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour. Consideration should be given to the effect of other environmental conditions such as wind and humidity.
  
  
• The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.
  
  
• The worker is subject to vibration: Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.
  
  
• The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
  
  
• The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.
  
  

Types of Work: Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Position Type:

Non-Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Minimum Pay:

$22.67 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Boosters are required. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.