Grounds Technician

Position Summary

Performs a variety of full performance complex skilled and semi-skilled duties as needed to perform various phases of turf, paved surface and landscape maintenance and beautification assisting to ensure a safe, clean and aesthetically pleasing campus environment. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Grounds:

• Maintains campus wide sprinkler systems, provides field training, demonstrates processes and procedures related to sprinkler system installation, maintenance and repair; performs design, installation maintenance and repair of water sprinkler and irrigation system; selects line sizes, sprinkler spacing, type and control equipment; install, test, and maintain systems utilizing low voltage, hydraulic, or other operating features; repairs sprinkler heads and inspects sprinkling system to assure operation; repairs broken mains, laterals, valves, heads, ESPMC controller and filters to industry standards.

• Performs grounds maintenance operations; monitors turf, shrub and landscape condition and determines the need for applications of fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide, soil conditioner, and other maintenance procedures; performs spraying of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and pesticides to control undesirable growth, rodents, and pests; operates spreading equipment in applying fertilizers and other growth agents to stimulate growth and beautification of grass and other greenery; maintains records of spraying activities; assures chemicals are properly stored and used in conformity with city, state, or federal regulations.

• Performs seeding & sodding, mowing, watering and aeration of turf; operates various equipment such as tractor, snow blower, plow trucks, gang lawn mowers, and landscape equipment; prepares and updates maintenance schedules; coordinates and participates in soil preparation and grading, planting of lawns, trees, shrubs and other greenery; determines and implements watering schedules; plants perennials, annuals and ornamental flowers.

• Operates lawn mowing equipment; performs routine repair and lubrication, mows and trims grass, bushes and shrubs; directs and performs pruning activities on trees, shrubs and plants; removes dead, diseased, or injured trees; stimulates health plant growth through ANSI pruning practices.

• Operates a variety of types of small and light equipment such as mowers, sod cutters, chain saws, pruning equipment, backhoe, loaders, trenchers, aeration tractor, and various hand tools; performs routine and regular maintenance on equipment to assure efficiency and safety. Monitor current weather conditions, forecasts, and weather service warnings and initiate appropriate actions.

• Performs seasonal duties such as winterizing sprinkler systems to avoid freezing, flushes watering systems in spring, and repairs other equipment and facilities; operates snow removal equipment; spreads ice melt.

• Operate within the framework established by CWC's policies, procedures, and practices.

• Perform other reasonably related duties as directed or assigned.

Equipment Maintenance:

• Performs full service on grounds equipment, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair; performs preventative maintenance on lawn mowers, changes oil, sharpens blades, cleans and replaces parts as needed.

• Orders equipment parts, maintains parts inventory, and updates maintenance logs.

• Assists with college's motor pool operations performing general and minor mechanic duties, troubleshooting; assists to maintain various maintenance records.

• Perform other reasonably related duties as directed or assigned.

Position Specifications and Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Graduation from high school or equivalent; plus, two (2) years of specialized training related to turf and grounds maintenance, or an associate degree Experience

• Four (4) years of responsible experience performing landscaping or park maintenance duties; and grounds equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair.

Licenses/Certifications

• Must possess a valid Wyoming State Driver's License.

• Must be able to obtain upon hire an OSHA certified fork-lift operator certificate.

• Must be able to obtain upon hire a Wyoming pesticide commercial applicator license.

Equivalency Statement

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Desired Qualifications

• Certification through the National Arborist Association

• Certified landscape technician

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of proper grounds maintenance practices, including use of equipment and chemicals, in a public setting.

• Considerable knowledge of OSHA regulations.

• Knowledge of Rain Bird ESPN system of irrigation and water management practices. Knowledge of Keyboarding and general computer operations; equipment maintenance and repair.

• Knowledge of maintaining sprinkler systems.

• Skill in the operation of maintenance equipment such as backhoe, loader, dump truck, mowers, tractor, power overseeders, aerators, thatchers, welder, trimmers, etc.

• Skill in landscape and sprinkler system design and installation.

• Knowledge of hazards and related safety precautions associated with equipment operations.

• Knowledge of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and pesticides, and skill in the proper application of the same.

• Knowledge of Turf and greens management.

• Strong Interpersonal communication and supervisory skills.

• Extensive Skill in the operation and repair of various types of equipment such as gang mower, front end loader, tractor, backhoe, etc., mechanics, welding fabrication, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and construction operations.

• Skill in the operation of various types of light equipment such as Gang mower, Front end loader, Tractor, Backhoe, etc.

• Knowledge of basic mechanics.

• Knowledge of welding fabrication.

• Knowledge of basic electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and construction operations.

• Ability to supervise and schedule the work of others.

• Ability to adapt to a dynamic work load and demands.

• Ability to make responsible judgment decisions to serve customer satisfaction.

• Ability to perform record keeping and mathematical calculations.

• Ability to recognize and identify common weeds and pests.

• Ability to recognize and identify diseases common to turf and greenery.

• Ability to effectively apply chemicals for the abatement and eradication of noxious weeds and insects.

• Ability to effectively perform various semi-skilled and skilled functions related to building and grounds maintenance.

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

• Ability to work independently and interact with others in a professional manner.

• Ability to work as a reliable team player for the campus community.

Level of Supervision

• This position operates under the general supervision of the Grounds Supervisor.

Working Environment

• Reasonable accommodation will be extended to otherwise qualified individuals with a legally recognized disability.

Equipment Used

• Operation of various types of light equipment such as gang mower, front end loader, tractor, backhoe, etc., basic mechanics, welding fabrication; basic electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and construction operations.

Physical Requirements

• Incumbent of the position generally performs in a physically demanding environment. Tasks require variety of physical activities, generally involving some muscular strain, such as walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, lifting (75lbs), etc. Talking, hearing and seeing essential to the performance of the job. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity exist. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving.

Environmental Conditions

• Incumbent of the position generally performs in a physically demanding environment. The Grounds Department is on-call 24/7 for snow removal including days/nights during times when the campus is officially closed. The annual temperature ranges from 105 degrees F in the summer to

• 40 degrees F in the winter. There is a risk of heat stroke or frost bite. Wind chills can reach below

• 50 degrees F. Some work is performed in very windy or dusty conditions. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is necessary to use making for uncomfortable working conditions including: very loud noise, very dirty conditions, extremely awkward positions, repetitive stress injury to muscles and bones, climbing, working from elevated heights, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. Daily hazards exist with various operations of hand tools, power saws, chippers, cutters, mowing equipment, high pressure hydraulic oils, water, and compressed air equipment, weather extremes, chemical ,fuel, and grease exposure, fatigue, physical and mental stress, dehydration, exposure to fumes, gases, steam, UV rays, biting or stinging insects, blood borne pathogens, biological diseases, etc. Most of the hazards can be minimized with adequate PPE and training, but the uncertainty of other hazards can exist daily

CWC is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. We are committed to a multicultural environment and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

If you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please call 307-855-2112 or email cwchr@CWC.edu.