Groundskeeper II

Posting Number : S000910

Position Title : Groundskeeper II

Department : Maintenance

Division :

Facilities Planning and Operations

Supervisor Title : Heads Groundskeeper

Status : Full Time Regular

Salary Range : $25.00

Position Summary :

To serve in the Grounds Department and assist the Head Groundskeeper and Assistant Head Groundskeeper in a variety of functions, including performing grounds keeping, basic equipment and vehicle servicing, and repair tasks. This position entails the installation of annual plantings and campus vegetable garden beds and continual maintenance.

Description of Key Responsibilities :

• Perform basic grounds keeping functions, consisting of mowing, fertilizing, seeding, aerating, planting, sodding, edging, weeding, trimming, watering, etc. Equipment used includes tractors, powered mowers (both riding and walk-behind), chain saws, chippers, groomers, sod cutters, hedge trimmers, and hand tools.
• Perform cleaning, servicing, and repair of facilities and equipment; repair / installation of fences, irrigation lines, etc.; pick-up debris; repair vandalism damage. Clean and service equipment, including greasing, fueling, and sharpening of blades. Assist in repair of vehicles and equipment. Clean and organize shop.
• Assist and at times lead the designing, purchasing, planting, and maintenance of all annual and perennial beds on campus, including decorative pots and flower beds. This includes ensuring the health and aesthetics of the plantings throughout the season. A major component of this is ensuring the watering of the plantings, coordinating weekend coverage when called for by weather conditions, often times conducting the work themselves.
• Assist with the research and planning, necessary to the restoration of the natural ecosystem of the Pond. Including the planting, weeding, cleaning and fertilizing of the lily bed and the clearing of algae that is very invasive. Also, the stocking of fish and the constant monitoring of water levels to guarantee the success of the restoration.
• Assist in routine maintenance and repair of athletic playing fields including artificial turf and irrigation systems.
• Maintain a nursery for plants, bushes and sod.
• Assist in maintaining all other landscaping on campus including trimming of bushes, shrubs and trees.
• In conjunction with the Head Groundskeeper, anticipate and estimate future projects and expenditures, and ensure timely completion of scheduled projects / inspections. Prepare estimates for projects and make recommendations regarding plantings. Develop standards for projects that specify acceptable characteristics of plantings and investigate the availability of improved, more efficient procedures and types of plantings, such as low maintenance / high resistance (to molds and insects).
• Manage large projects including but not limited to : large scale weeding projects, large scale planting projects, planning and installation of hardscaping materials, and fence installation and repair.
• Supervise and instruct co-workers in the area of planting and maintenance, including the supervision of student assistants.
• Operate various equipment for seeding, tree pruning, power blowing, top dressing, mowing, and snow removal, including the operation of college vehicles, trucks and golf carts.
• Ensure that all work performed is done in a safe and efficient manner. Inform Head Groundskeeper of tools or equipment found to be unsafe for use, and ensure that tools that cannot be repaired are disposed of properly. Ensure that all gardening refuse is removed to its proper location for disposal or storage. Supervise the return and proper storage of tools and equipment.
• Ensure that documentation and record keeping are thorough and efficient and provide ready access to information such as history of plantings, suppliers’ specifications and recommended procedures, etc.
• Assist in cleaning and maintaining of all grounds department areas, i.e. shops, garages and any storage locations.
• Assist in security functions, including crowd and parking control at specific times and functions.
• Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students, and visitors to the College. Promote a flexible, collaborative, and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion.
• Perform other related duties and tasks as appropriately assigned.

Other Responsibilities :

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Distinguishing Characteristics :

The condition of the College grounds, bed-type plantings, campus pond and nursery plantings has a profound effect on all who live, study and work here. The impression made on visitors to the campus, in particular prospective students and their parents, and to the surrounding community is also of great importance.

The individual in this position must have the knowledge and ability to create and maintain the many flowerbeds and containers that beautify the college campus, maintain the landscaping surrounding the many buildings, conduct routine maintenance of the campus grounds, and organize / plant the campus vegetable garden. This position must, at times, act as a leader of the Grounds Crew, being flexible, multi-skilled, and able to work well with others, at times conducting the work of subordinates. Since student help is used in the maintenance necessary to keep the College aesthetically pleasing, it is essential that this individual have leadership skills to teach and supervise student assistants. The nature of Grounds Maintenance work and its success requires individuals who are strongly oriented to working cooperatively with others and impart this attitude to co-workers. This individual must be adept at communicating, teaching, monitoring, and appraising the landscaping of the campus. This individual must have the ability to participate in hands-on work in inclement weather, i.e. heat / cold / rain / snow. It can be expected that this individual will be required to work at times that are other than or in addition to normal workdays and hours, including weekends and emergency situations.

An individual in this position is responsible for snow and ice removal from critical areas of the campus, and responding to other emergency conditions. It can be expected that days and hours worked will at times be other than, or in addition to, normal business days and hours, and working conditions may be harsh.

Education / Training :

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. An Associate’s degree or Horticultural degree is preferred. Illinois Pesticide Applicator License preferred.

Experience :

A minimum of two years in landscape maintenance, including experience maintaining grounds equipment and supervising others. One year of gardening experience is strongly preferred.

Licenses or Certifications :

A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.

Is This a Temporary Position? :

No

Employment Conditions :

An offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of the College’s background screening process.

Number of Vacancies :

EEO Statement :

North Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce. NCC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify the Office of Human Resources. Determinations for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Open Until Filled : Yes

Additional Information :

The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and training.

North Central College provides a comprehensive benefits package, which includes :