Senior Groundskeeper

Department Number/Name: 0-0256-001/Grounds

College Division: Administrative Services-Physical Plant

Salary Plan: Staff

Job Code/Title: 6395/Senior Groundskeeper

Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $17.40 per hour / $1,392.00 bi-weekly / $36,192.00 per year

Position Number: 00027961

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:

USF’s Office of Administrative Services (OAS) is made up of the dedicated people who keep our campus, the equivalent of a medium-sized city, moving forward. OAS is a service organization and believes that providing excellent customer service starts with an engaged workforce. To that end, we are dedicated to offering opportunities for professional development and growth, providing the job resources necessary for success, fostering open communication and feedback at all levels, and recognizing the achievements of our team members!

The Facilities Services Department is responsible for custodial services, grounds and landscaping, maintenance, repair of university vehicles, waste management and recycling, and the operation of the USF post office.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position typically reports to a Grounds Superintendent, Manager, or similar position. This position is assigned to a specific grounds area by the supervisor and is responsible for providing specific direction to the Groundskeepers or temporary employees regarding which grounds areas and flower beds need to be tended to and the timeliness in which these landscaping related duties are to be performed. This position should decide where Groundskeepers will be working and timeframes for work performed and should be able to do so with very little assistance from the supervisor. This position's primary purpose is to oversee the landscaping and detailing activities of his/her team of Groundskeepers (both regular and temporary staff) as well as performing landscaping duties him/herself. This position is responsible for maintaining the grounds and landscaping of assigned areas on USF campus. This includes keeping USF Tampa grounds areas in clean and orderly condition, free of trash and debris. Groundskeepers are responsible for general maintenance and upkeep of the grounds areas as well as mowing lawns, trimming and pruning trees and bushes, and detailing landscape elements and flowerbeds.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Plans the landscaping schedule for the shift, assigns each Groundskeeper to an area/task, and makes any adjustments as needed. Gathers appropriate supplies, materials, and landscaping tools. Check motorized vehicles to ensure they are in good, operative condition for the shift, or oversees this responsibility. Continually monitors Groundskeepers throughout the shift to resolve any problems that arise, ensure landscaping duties are being completed in a timely manner, and confirms that these duties are being performed in accordance with USF standards. Reports and discusses any serious or recurring problems regarding poor performance, repeated attendance issues, employee relations concerns, etc. with the Grounds Supervisor. May assist with purchasing of plants and landscaping materials as needed.
Mows, edges, and maintains USF lawn/ground areas. Trims, prunes, & stakes trees, shrubs, vines, and plants. Pulls weeds, refuse and other debris from flowerbeds and mulched areas. Plants flowers, shrubs, trees, seeds, bulbs, etc. in flowerbeds or appropriate areas.
Performs seasonal maintenance and preparation of grounds such as trimming branches and trees, removing moss from large trees, seasonal planting, and fertilizing, etc. Treats foliage, trees, shrubs for insects and weeds with appropriate pesticides and/or fertilizers as needed.
Picks up debris and trash from campus grounds areas.
Digs trenches or holes for sprinklers, lighting, etc. Performs minor adjustments and repairs to equipment and machinery.
Respond to emergency events during business hours, non-business hours, holidays, and university closures.
Performs other duties as required.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM:
This position requires completion of the 9th grade and one year of landscaping/grounds keeping experience. A valid Florida Driver's License may be required if motorized vehicles of any kind are operated.
PREFERRED:
High School diploma/GED/Certificate of Completion and 3 years of grounds keeping experience. Verified knowledge of proper handling of fertilizers and the proper use of grounds equipment to include, but not limited to trimmers, mowers (commercial and residential), edger's, blowers, sprayers, etc. Limited lawn and ornamental pesticide license preferred, but not required. Valid Florida Driver's License.
SPECIAL SKILLS/TRAINING:
The individual needs to be knowledgeable of the use and operation of all types of grounds equipment including, but not limited to trimmers, mowers (commercial and residential), edger's, blowers, sprayers, etc. This job requires physical abilities such as trunk strength, manual dexterity, and wrist finger movement in order to perform the essential functions of the position. A valid Florida Driver's License. Must be able to read, write and communicate in English. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS: