Groundskeeper

University of Delaware

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html


Job No: 497164
Work Type: AFSCME
Location: Newark
Categories: Facilities Management, Full Time


Context of Job:

Under general supervision, performs semi- skilled and unskilled tasks in connection with landscape maintenance and landscape construction.

Major Responsibilities:

• Performs work incidental to lawn maintenance and construction.
• Operates grounds maintenance equipment necessary to perform assigned tasks including
• but not limited to:
  • push mowers with manual controls.
  • riding lawn mowers (all types) with foot and hand controls.
  • walk behind mowers with and without sulky.
  • farm tractors with attachments.
  • skid-steer loader with attachments.
  • manual and powered snow removal equipment: shovels, snow blowers, riding equipment,
  • tractors, pickup trucks, dump trucks, and front-end loaders.
• Cultivates, transplants, assists with fertilization, waters and maintains shrubs, trees, ornamental grasses, bulbs, turf grass, perennials and ground cover. Prepares areas such as ornamental beds for the installation of a variety of plant material; installs plant material. Establish lawns via seed or sod.
• Cleans paved surfaces, window wells, catch basin covers, litter and trash receptacles; maintains cleanliness and appearance of equipment.
• Operates trucks less than 26,000 lbs. GVW, commercial and industrial grade tractors and other mechanical equipment. in connection with landscape maintenance and construction, snow removal, and refuse collection.
• Performs minor equipment maintenance under the direction of the Caretaker, Group Leader, or designee; lubricates lawn mowers, and other equipment used in landscape construction and maintenance and performs other minor preventive maintenance operations; ensures shop owned equipment is in proper working condition.
• Performs all work contained within the "Refuse Collector" job description as necessary, during emergencies or when dictated by staffing needs, with the exception of operating vehicles greater than 26,000 lbs. GVW.
• Uses computer to access e-mail, receive work instructions and other administrative information to include electronic payroll forms. Communicates via department approved communication system.
• Performs housekeeping duties to maintain a clean, uncluttered, and safe work environment.
• Performs snow removal and deicing functions, as required. Can be assigned to weather related work.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Environmental Factors/Occupational Exposures:

• The physical environment requires the employees to work primarily outside in both extreme heat and cold conditions as well as conditions that are wet/humid, dry and during times when temperatures are below 32o F for more than one-hour periods.
• Employee must lift, tug, pull, and transport, with or without assistance, both small and heavy materials.
• The employee is required to bend squat, stretch, and stand for prolonged periods of times while performing their usual job functions.
• Environment may frequently include dust and/or airborne particles and occasionally loud noise, chemicals, gases, fumes and vibration.
• For this reason, employee is required to wear designated personal protective equipment to include, but not limited to ANSI-approved safety eyewear, gloves, hearing protection, filter cartridge respiratory equipment, and footwear to prevent exposure to hazardous materials, noise, dust and/or airborne particles.

Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent. Minimum of one (1) year of experience in landscape maintenance working for a commercial firm or company in an institutional or commercial setting.
• Experience/proficiency maintaining large properties; must possess experience in operation of commercial or industrial size landscape and snow removal equipment.
• Must have experience with horticultural accepted methods of pruning and shrub bed maintenance tasks.
• Requires mechanical aptitude and the ability to perform required maintenance and manual tasks; requires knowledge of basic plant groupings and plant identifications.
• Requires knowledge of solid waste collection methods and techniques commonly used in the collection of various sizes and shapes of solid waste collection containers.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Requires interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and interact with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
• Must be customer service oriented with the ability to communicate with customers and peers in a professional manner.
• Must be capable of working independently as well as in a team to complete assigned tasks.
• Must be capable of prioritizing tasks in order to meet the needs of the unit and its customers.

Special Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license in order to drive University vehicles to and from job sites throughout the entire time they are employed in this classification.
• With or without assistance, must be able to exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects and job-related materials and/or equipment.
• Ability to accurately discern colors. Required to climb stairs, use ladders.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Applications close:

PI155975674