Olivet College is an equal opportunity employer and takes affirmative steps to employ women and minorities. Women and members of historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Summary: This is a full-time position with occasional overtime as required. Under general supervision of grounds supervisor and according to established procedures, performs activities to maintain Olivet College lawns, flower beds, shrubs and trees as well as, the maintenance and repair of groundskeeping equipment. Operates Olivet College vehicles, tractors, mowers, trimmers, snow-plow and other grounds equipment in the performance of duties. Removes snow and ice in winter, repairs drives and parking areas. Renovates existing landscaped areas and designs new landscape areas. Performs related duties as assigned. The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, sills, and abilities and working conditions associate with the job.

Responsibilities

• Maintains Olivet College yards and grounds; mows and trims, irrigates, fertilizes and applies herbicides. Removes leaves and other debris from College property.
• Removes ice and snow from College drives, sidewalks, parking lots and entrances using tractors, trucks and other snow removal equipment. Spreads salt as necessary and maintains a salt inventory.
• Performs routine and preventative maintenance and repair tasks on machinery, equipment and irrigation systems (e.g., lubrication, cleaning, replacement of worn or broken parts, connection and repair of sprinkling lines, etc.).
• Renovates existing landscaped areas. Plants turf grass, ornamental trees, shrubs and shade trees. Plans and completes landscaping around new construction.
• Plans and maintains flower beds in designated areas.
• Maintains drives and parking areas by patching holes, removing debris and installing signs.
• Waters turf grass, flower beds, trees and shrubs according to established schedules and climatic conditions.
• May assign and oversee the work of student employees engaged in grounds activities.
• Maintains a clean work area and observes established safety rules in the performance of all duties.
• Remains current with turf management, horticulture and grounds management techniques by pursuing a program of self development. Recommends improvements when appropriate.
• Perform duties in a diverse, challenging and occasionally stressful environment.

Resource Management

• Requires occasional (8-10% of work time) reading, periodic (11-20% of work time) balancing, frequent (21-50% of work time) climbing, crawling, crouching, kneeling and balancing, (51-80% of work time) bending, kneeling, squatting and setting and continuous (80% of work time) standing and walking.
• Requires the lifting and/or pushing and pulling, frequently (21-50% of work time) of objects weighing over 30 pounds, and very frequently (51-80% of work time) of objects weighing 10-20 pounds. This includes wrenches, saws, shovels, rakes, etc.
• Requires the carrying occasionally (8-10% of work time) of objects weighing over 50 pounds, periodically (11-20% of work time) of objects weighing 20-30 pounds, frequently (21-50% of work time) of objects weighing 30-50 pounds, and very frequently (51-80% of work time) of objects weighing 10-20 pounds.
• Must be able to see at a near vision acuity level.
• Must be able to hear speech and sounds.
• Requires the use of hands for simple and firm grasping and fine manipulating.
• Must be able to detect odors.
• Must be able to speak.
• Requires very frequent (51-80% of work time) interruptions and changing work priorities. Deals with individuals in crisis.
• Requires frequent exposure (21-50% of work time) to inclement weather conditions; dust and dirt. Infrequent exposure to cuts from sharp objects. Exposed periodically (11-20% of work time) to changes in temperature and humidity. Occasional exposure (5-10% of work time) to vapors, fumes, gases, and hazardous chemicals.