Groundskeeper II

Location Type: Not Specified

Industry:

Company: Willamette University

ABOUT WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY:

Willamette University, founded in 1842, is a nationally-renowned private university enrolling 2800 students across five colleges. Our historic campus, adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol, hosts a distinguished undergraduate liberal arts college in Salem, Oregon. Our downtown Portland campus is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). We offer a wide range of professional graduate programs, including Oregon’s top-ranked MBA program, the Northwest’s oldest law school, as well as MA/MFA programs at PNCA and master’s degrees in data science and computer science.

Willamette University provides a high-value and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our Benefits Summary includes options for health, dental, life insurance, retirement, substantial paid time off, tuition and more. If you need assistance applying for a job or have any questions on recruitment at Willamette, please contact our HR Department, hr@willamette.edu or call us at 503-370-6210.

GROUNDSKEEPER II

The Facilities Department at Willamette University is responsible for the daily operations, maintenance and upkeep of approximately 1.4 million square feet of academic, residential, administrative and off campus properties situated on approximately 60 acres with all the associated utilities and infrastructure.

The Groundskeeper II at Willamette University is responsible for inspecting and maintaining University grounds to assure healthy growing and well landscaped grounds. This position provides and maintains a safe environment for all University property and its users. This position performs skilled and unskilled work in cleaning and maintaining landscaped areas, trees, turf, paved surfaces, streams, ponds, and fountains. The Groundskeeper II is responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining new landscape plantings and irrigation systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Inspects and monitors University grounds areas to determine levels of maintenance required and performs needed grounds maintenance tasks using industry recognized practices and procedures.
• Supervises work-study students in the safe operation of all tools and equipment used in grounds maintenance tasks and assigned duties.
• Performs wide variety of turf and athletic field maintenance duties.
• Implements and practices Integrated Pest Management methods to eradicate and control pests using manual, mechanical, and/or chemical methods (hand or power operated). Calibrates, mixes, and applies all pesticides according to label instructions. Prepares and maintains pesticide application records as required by State and Federal rules.
• Performs specialized plant care practices in high maintenance garden areas such as, but not limited to, the Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Botanical Garden, and the University President’s Residence.
• Performs minor repairs to hand tools and minor tune-ups of powered hand and riding equipment. Operates and maintains hand and/or powered equipment in accordance with State and Federal OSHA rules and regulations.
• Installs, modifies, maintains, repairs, and tests irrigation systems and landscape planting areas. Prepares and maintains as-built drawings.
• Assists in special event activities and emergency situations, as directed.
• Arrives on time, dependably each day.
• Dresses appropriately, wearing University-provided uniform articles.
• Performs grounds snow and/or ice control activities as needed and as directed by the Grounds Manager.
• Is subject to after-hour call back for emergencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned and/or requested by Grounds Manager.

Minimum Qualifications

• Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties of this position.
• Must possess thorough knowledge of hazards and appropriate safety precautions related to grounds maintenance, landscape construction, pesticide application, and the operation of power tools and equipment.
• Must have a working knowledge of industry accepted horticultural practices and methods such as planting, transplanting, pruning, trimming, watering, fertilizing, and pesticide application to a wide variety of ornamental plant materials found growing in the Pacific Northwest.
• Carry out written and verbal instructions in English, with minimal supervision.
• Set project priorities, prepare project and maintenance reports, and keep inventory records.
• Direct and coordinate work-study student employees, set job priorities, prepare pesticide reports and maintain work/project records.
• Identify plant and turf pests and recommend appropriate control remedy.
• Perform irrigation system modifications and renovations, recording revisions on drawn as-built plans.
• Operate various hand and power tools and equipment involving dexterous use of both hands and feet simultaneously.
• Operate automobiles, tractors, trenchers, aerial platforms, brush chippers, top dresser, aerators, and riding and walk-behind mowers on and off the public highway/street systems and university properties.
• Have the knowledge and training in the safety hazards and precautions associate with this position and other grounds maintenance functions.
• Must have knowledge of and be able to use the appropriate PPE (Personal protective equipment) as needed.
• Must have the ability to work while bending and stooping for extended periods of time, as well as from above ground areas such as; ladders, aerial platforms and/or scaffolds.
• Must have the ability to work independently as well as establish and maintain harmonious relations with other staff, faculty and students.
• Must have the ability to effectively interact with a variety of people in a manner that emphasizes strong customer service and portrays the University’s programs, personnel and philosophies in a positive manner.
• Valid driver’s license within 60 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications
Five years commercial grounds maintenance experience.

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Typical Work Schedule

Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Safely lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds from ground level to four foot heights about 30 times; exert physical force in excess of 50 to 100 pounds for about 30% of work shift.
• Safely carry a 40-pound backpack blower continuously for two hours.
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions for extended periods of time in environments containing dust, odors, pesticides and high level of noise (>85dB), rain, snow/ice, and wind.

Salary: $22.55/hour

You will need to upload the following documents as part of your application materials in the “My Experience” section labeled Resume:

• Current Resume

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received until the position is filled.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY VALUES DIVERSITY:
Believing that diversity contributes to academic excellence and to rich and rewarding communities, WU is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body. We seek candidates, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, whose work furthers diversity and who bring to campus varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT:
All University positions require that candidates submit to a criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:

Please read the following carefully before beginning the online application process. To be considered for employment at Willamette University, please complete our online employment application. Your application and all required attachments — listed at the bottom of the page — must be submitted for each individual job post that you are interested in applying. Once you submit your application you will not be able to edit your application.