Groundskeeper

Department Number/Name: 0-0256-001 / Grounds

College Division: Administrative Services-Physical Plant

Salary Plan: Staff

Job Code/Title: 6394 / Groundskeeper

Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $15.00 per hour / $31,200 per year

Position Number: 3427, 6239, 8918, 8929, 18541, 18557

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:

USF's Office of Administrative Services (OAS) is made up of the dedicated people who keep our campus, the equivalent of a medium-sized city, moving forward. OAS is a service organization and believes that providing excellent customer service starts with an engaged workforce. To that end, we are dedicated to offering opportunities for professional development and growth, providing the job resources necessary for success, fostering open communication and feedback at all levels, and recognizing the achievements of our team members!

The Facilities Services Department is responsible for custodial services, grounds and landscaping, maintenance, repair of university vehicles, waste management and recycling, and the operation of the USF Post Office.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position typically reports to a Senior Groundskeeper or to a Grounds Supervisor. This job requires physical abilities such as trunk strength, manual dexterity, and wrist finger movement in order to perform the essential functions of the position. This position is responsible for maintaining the grounds and landscaping areas on USF Tampa campus. This includes keeping USF grounds areas in clean and orderly condition, free of trash and debris. Groundskeepers are responsible for general maintenance and upkeep of the grounds areas as well as mowing lawns, trimming and pruning trees and bushes, and detailing landscape elements and flowerbeds. This position requires knowledge of proper handling of fertilizers and pesticides, which is learned on the job and through USF sponsored training.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Mows, edges, and maintains USF lawn / ground areas. Trims, prunes, & stakes trees, shrubs, vines, and plants. Pulls weeds, refuse and other debris from flowerbeds and mulched areas. Plants flowers, shrubs, trees, seeds, bulbs, etc. in flowerbeds or appropriate areas.

Performs seasonal maintenance and preparation of grounds such as trimming branches and trees, removing moss from large trees, seasonal planting, and fertilizing, etc. Treats foliage, trees, shrubs for insects and weeds with appropriate pesticides and/or fertilizers as needed.

Picks up debris and trash from campus grounds areas.

Digs trenches or holes for sprinklers, lighting, etc. Performs minor adjustments and repairs to equipment and machinery.

Responds to emergency events during business hours, non-business hours, holidays, and university closures.

Performs other duties as required.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM:

This position requires completion of the 9th grade. No specific experience required. A valid Florida Driver's License may be required if motorized vehicles of any kind are operated.

PREFERRED:

High School diploma/GED/Certificate of Completion and 6 months of grounds keeping experience. Verified knowledge of proper handling of fertilizers. Valid Florida Driver's License.

SPECIAL SKILLS/TRAINING:

The individual needs to be knowledgeable of the use and operation of all types of grounds equipment including, but not limited to trimmers, mowers (commercial and residential), edgers, blowers, sprayers, etc. A valid Florida Driver's License. Must be able to read, write and communicate in English. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

Essential personnel are generally defined as employees critical to ensure the operations of essential functions of the department. Additionally, on a case-by-case basis, staff members may be designated as essential by management based on the nature of the emergency and/or the availability of other personnel. Individuals identified as essential personnel, may be expected to be on-site regardless of the employee's normal work schedule. In Services, the Grounds and Custodial staff are determined as essential.

USF Tampa

Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a Level 1 criminal background check.

Job Opening Number: 37347

Posting Date: 07/01/2024

Re-Posting Date: 09/19/2024

Posting End Date: 10/03/2024

How to Claim Veteran's Preference:

This position allows eligible veterans and their spouses to claim Veterans' Preference pursuant to Florida Statute 295.

Applicants claiming preference are responsible for providing required documentation AT THE TIME OF SUBMITTING APPLICATION; such documentation is required for eligibility determination.

Supporting documentation, in addition to the DD214, may be required based on eligibility criteria. If you are submitting a DD 214, please ensure the social security number and date of birth is redacted/removed.

For information on obtaining a DD 214 visit http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ or call 1-866-272-6272.

How To Apply

Click on the Apply Now button. When applying to an opening you will have the opportunity to upload a cover letter and resume.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME, PLUS ANY OTHER REQUESTED MATERIAL, MUST BE IN ONE ATTACHMENT. Only online applications are accepted for this position.

Click here for additional tutorial information.

To request an accommodation with the application or interview process, please contact Central Human Resources by telephone: 813-974-2970 or email HR-ADA-Request@usf.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity

USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace.

The University of South Florida does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sexual harassment. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be made at any time either online or directly to the University's Title IX Coordinator.

USF's Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Statement.

Federal Rights

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

Work Location

Campus map and location overview: USF - Tampa Campus

About USF

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

Working at USF

With more than 16,000 employees at USF, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay region. At USF you will find opportunities to excel in a rich academic environment that fosters the development and advancement of our employees. We believe in creating a talented, engaged and driven workforce through on-going development and career opportunities. We also offer a first class benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, tuition program and generous leave programs and more.

To learn more about working at USF please visit: Work Here. Learn Here. Grow Here.

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