Groundskeeper

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Working at Lewis & Clark College
The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland's southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.
Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Installs and maintains functional, attractive planting areas, including turf, beds, and natural areas.
• Routinely removes trash and litter.
• Maintains safe, well-defined hardscapes. Blows leaves and debris. Adjusts pavers and cobbles. Pressure-washes moss, algae, and sediment from roads, walkways, track surfaces, and bleacher seating.
• Utilizes a whole-system approach to managing weeds and pests in both landscape and hardscape. Safely and skillfully applies mechanical and chemical pest controls as appropriate, and does so with great sensitivity toward noise pollution and incidental chemical exposure.
• Performs turf care and renovation, including blowing, mowing, edging, amendment, aeration, topdressing, and overseeding.
• Installs, monitors, adjusts, and repairs lateral-line irrigation components: valves, piping, heads, and nozzles. Interfaces with RainBird controllers to schedule irrigation for efficient, effective water usage, and accommodate a dynamic event calendar.
• Builds and maintains vegetated stormwater facilities. Monitors underground drainage systems, and clears blockages.
• Works in dynamic, sometimes hazardous weather conditions. Clears ice and snow from campus sidewalks and roadways. Responds to and mitigates emergencies such as fallen trees and hanging branches.
• Prepares areas for athletic events, and cares for synthetic turf surfaces, including blowing, dragging, and grooming.
• Safely and skillfully operates hand tools and power tools, including blower, string-trimmer, hedge-trimmer, mower, edger, tractor, chainsaw, chipper, spreader, and forklift.
• Keeps an accurate record of labor, material, and equipment costs for all work performed.
• Uses proper PPE, including but not limited to: gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, rain gear, and saw chaps.
• Meets OSHA training and certification requirements, including but not limited to: medical clearance, heat/smoke exposure, blood-borne pathogens, lift operation, ladder safety, fall protection, confined spaces, hazard communication, lockout/tagout, and respirator usage.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work in a stooped, kneeling, crouched, or squatting position continuously.
• Must be able to work with arms extended or in front and supporting the weight of eight pounds continuously.
• Must be able to dig ditches and shovel snow continuously.
• Must be able to lift and carry a fifty-pound weight repetitively over one-half hour periods.
• Must be able to lift and carry a twenty-five pound weight repetitively and continuously.
• Must be able to climb and work with tools from a ladder.
• Must be able to safely and effectively manipulate landscape tools and equipment.
• Carries a work-supplied cell-phone while on duty, keeps it charged and turned on, and responds to calls and texts in a timely fashion.

The word continuously in the above section means that the work may be carried out over consecutive eight-hour shifts, with two fifteen-minute break periods and one half-hour break period during each shift. Workers working under the conditions described above are expected to vary their positions frequently or to pause frequently to stretch in order to avoid fatigue and injury.
QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

• Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Ability to read, write, and speak the English language.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver's license, and meet insurance criteria to drive College vehicles.
• Must possess a current Oregon Commercial Pesticide Applicator's license within six months of date of hire.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Associate or Bachelor Degree in horticulture, ecology, natural resource management, soil science, forestry, or other applicable agricultural education program, AND/OR 3 years of direct experience maintaining ornamental landscapes in the maritime Pacific Northwest.
• Strong plant identification and care knowledge, with emphasis toward species native to this region.
• Ability to peacefully navigate personal and professional differences, and to contribute to a welcoming work environment
• Ability to work independently, yet regularly confer and collaborate with colleagues as needed.
• Basic knowledge of email and computerized maintenance management systems.

Directions for Cover Letter
Please upload your cover letter on the My Experience screen in the resume section.
Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission. We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies. Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators
(https://www.lclark.edu/about/title_ix_compliance).
Reasonable Accommodation
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
Background Check
Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.
Eligibility to Work
In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.