Lead Groundskeeper

About Us

Howard Community College (HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

Position Title Lead Groundskeeper FLSA Non-Exempt FT/PT Full Time Hours Per Week 40 Work Schedule M-F Grade 7 Minimum Compensation $38,064 General Responsibilities

Maintain all College exterior campus areas including lawns, fields, sidewalks, streets, driveways, parking lots, drainage areas, flower beds and wooded areas in a neat, clean, aesthetically pleasing and safe condition. Operate a variety of heavy equipment (i.e., backhoe, tool cat, bobcat, front-end loader, dump trucks) to perform skilled grounds maintenance work. Perform preventive maintenance by inspecting and performing minor mechanical repairs on cars, vans, and small pick-up trucks.

Work Performed

Grounds keeping

• Clean trash from all paved and highly cultivated areas daily.

• Remove trash from campus exterior trashcans daily.

• Daily cleaning of the parking deck.

• Cut wooded areas as necessary.

• Mulch beds as necessary.

• Maintain rain gardens and retention ponds

• Prune and trim trees, shrubs, and other plants as necessary.

• Plant foliage, flowers, grass, and other items as required.

• Preventive maintenance grounds equipment by checking fluid levels, belts, and other items.

• Inventory of product such as pumps, belts, snow blower parts, vehicle fluids and parts.

• Perform minor repairs to equipment as needed.

• Remove snow and apply salt as weather requires.

• Assist other departments in Plant Operations with set-ups, moving for special events, and other work as required.

• Maintain the track and field as needed.

• Repair/replace fences and locate outdoor signage as directed.

• Check and remove ice from paved surfaces as directed.

• Minor repairs of parking lot, pave ways, and bricks in the quads.

• Remove leaves.

• Weed flowerbeds.

Heavy Equipment Operation

Routinely operates heavy equipment (backhoe, tool cat, front-end loader, dump truck) to perform difficult grounds maintenance work (i.e. snow and ice removal, digging, hauling heavy trash, etc.)

Vehicle Preventative Maintenance

Perform light mechanical work for preventive maintenance: inspect, diagnose, locate and perform minor mechanical repair in servicing vehicles (oil changes, checking fluid levels, light bulbs, brake adjustments, tire inflation) in cars, vans, John Deere gators, Kubota, tractors, bobcat vehicles, snowplow pumps and equipment , and small pick-up trucks used in plant operations. Determines necessary parts required orders, and picks up auto parts. Schedule vehicles for major repairs. Drops off and picks up vehicles requiring repair; follow up to insure repair completed correctly; resolves any repair problems with shop.

Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Education Required High School or equivalent Minimum Number of Years Experience Required 2 Other Knowledge Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

• Two to three years of experience in skilled heavy equipment operation: knowledge of and skill in operation of a variety of large equipment (i.e. backhoe, bobcat, dump truck, and front-end loader) in the performance of difficult grounds maintenance work.

• Good working knowledge of proper groundskeeping and landscape practices and procedures for plants, shrubs, trees, streets and parking lots.

• Knowledge of use and minor mechanical repair and maintenance of a wide variety of grounds equipment such as tractors, mowers, sprayers, snow plows and removal equipment, trimmers, spreaders, trucks, bush cutters, edger, aerator, chain saw, back pack blower, push mower, hand mechanical tools, electric vehicles and other grounds equipment.

• Knowledge of routine minor mechanical repair and maintenance on cars, vans, and small (pick up) trucks.

• One year of experience in commercial or institutional grounds keeping college or university experience preferred.

• Knowledge of snow removal procedures.

• Good knowledge of OSHA Safety Regulations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Maryland driver's license.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

• Regular attendance is a requirement of this position.

• Performs all duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college's sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.

Working Conditions

• Ability to lift 75 lbs. 12 inches off the ground and place on flat bed cart; lift 40lbs. floor to overhead; lift 50lbs. and walk ten feet, and able to climb a ladder.

• Many facets of job require physical strength and stamina to perform heavy tasks for long periods of time.

• Requires performing regular job functions in an environment, which includes exposure to continuous physical elements or a number of disagreeable working conditions with frequent exposure to minor injuries or health hazards.

• Drive mobile equipment as needed.

• Daily operation of motorized and mechanical equipment.

• Exposure to extreme weather conditions; heat, snow, rain, sleet, wind, cold.

• Most work done out of doors.

• Schedule changes based on the needs of the College and long hours to complete/perform scheduled or emergency functions/projects

• Work schedule is 5 days a week.

• Daily exposure to noise at high levels.

• Dust and debris from mowing and cleaning.

• Wear protective equipment.

SOME OVERTIME IS REQUIRED. LEAVE APPROVAL MAY BE LIMITED DURING PEAK ACTIVITY PERIODS.

Supervisory Postion? No Division Facilities Department Facilities DEPT