GROUNDSKEEPER/EOUIPMENT OPERATOR
#3502

General Characteristics:
A Groundskeeper/Equipment Operator is responsible for operating and maintaining groundskeeping equipment and construction heavy equipment and for maintaining and repairing campus grounds, irrigation systems, walkways and parking areas; may perform as a Lead Groundskeeper during an absence; does related work as required. Work requires skill in the operation of heavy equipment used for construction and maintenance.

Work requires a knowledge of safe handling, mixing and application of chemicals.  Physical strength and agility are required to operate tractor mounted equipment, lawn mowers and other manual or power tools used in the work and to bend, stoop, twist, lift and carry trash, bags, containers and equipment. Working conditions may include standing and/or walking for extended periods and working outdoors in all kinds of weather. Positions require the ability to work varied shifts and irregular hours during inclement weather.

Examples of Work:
Operates a variety of construction equipment, such as backhoes, loaders and cat crawlers to excavate ditches and develop grounds for the installation of sidewalks, lawns, trees or irrigation systems; assists with construction projects such as transformer and boiler replacement, sewer and water maintenance and generator installation by using drott crane, fork lift, cat and boom lift and platform lifts.

Maintains power tools and equipment used in the work; performs maintenance on equipment by sharpening blades, changing oil, performing tune-ups, adjusting and replacing belts and repairing tires; assists the motor pool mechanic; performs periodic checks of all rented and owned grounds equipment; keeps maintenance records.

Cares for lawns, shrubs, trees and groundcover by mowing, fertilizing, aerating, pruning, weeding, top dressing, edging, irrigating, planting and removing dead or damaged plants; removes blackberries; traps turf rodents; properly and safely mixes and applies insecticides, herbicides or fungicides.

Repairs or replaces PVC irrigation systems; programs controllers for proper irrigation; removes controllers for shipment to repair facility.

Rakes, vacuums and bags leaves; picks up trash; hoses and pressure washes dirt and debris off walkways and walls; removes snow and ice using hand or power equipment; puts sand on ice; repairs holes in parking lots; empties trash containers and sawdust bins.

Maintains fountains by cleaning, refilling, adding chlorine and algaecide and repairing/adjusting valves; maintains athletic fields by mowing, edging, weeding, fertilizing, applying pesticides, marking for events, trash cleanup and moving bleachers and soccer goal sets; maintains grounds at outreach areas; maintains appearance of tennis courts. 

Monitors lagoon and passive wastewater treatment plant by checking lagoon level, checking flow meters and checking pH and chlorine levels; monitors water flow throughout ponds and daily adjusts chlorine levels; cleans sewage and debris out of chlorinator pits; responsible for the operation and maintenance of the turbine pump and pressure relief valve.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of and skill in the safe operation of heavy construction equipment including backhoes, forklifts, drott cranes, hydraulic boom lifts, dump trucks, cat crawlers, platform lifts and loaders; knowledge of and skill in the safe operation of hand and power mowers, edgers, rakes, weed trimmers, pruners, saws, shovels, hoes, brooms, blowers, vacuums, hoses, pressure washers, grinders, brake lathes, welders and chemical applicators; knowledge of and skill in applying groundskeeping and horticulture operations and practices; knowledge of and skill in irrigation operations and repair; knowledge of and skill in safely mixing and applying chemicals; knowledge of applicable OSHA regulations; ability to read, understand and apply oral and written instructions and labels; ability to operate tractor mounted equipment; ability to work effectively as a member of a crew or independently; ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods; ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions; ability to work varied shifts and irregular hours during inclement weather; ability to safely operate groundskeeping equipment and tools; ability to bend, stoop and twist; ability to lift and carry bags, containers and equipment weighing up to 90 pounds; ability to perform preventive maintenance on equipment operated; ability to drive tractors, cushmans, dump trucks, delivery vehicles, vans and heavy equipment; ability to use respiratory protection equipment; ability to work safely.

Supervision:
Works under the general supervision of the Superintendent of Facilities Management and Planning.

A Lead Groundskeeper schedules, assigns, inspects and approves work and is available to answer questions or troubleshoot problems on a daily basis. Assignments are received in the form of weekly or seasonal work schedules, daily work orders or oral and written instructions. After an initial orientation period, work is performed independently or as a member of a crew. 

The employee is required to interact with students, staff and the public during the course of completing tasks. Work is reviewed periodically during and after completion of work for quality, quantity and safety of operations.  Supervision of others is not a normal responsibility of this position; however, this position has responsibility for training and instructing student assistants and groundskeepers on equipment operation. This position may plan, assign, approve, instruct, set priorities and schedule the work of groundskeepers in the absence of the Lead Groundskeeper. 

Minimum Qualifications:
High school graduation or equivalent supplemented by course work in horticulture operations and practices is required. One year of experience in the operation and maintenance of grounds and construction heavy equipment is required. Six months of experience in grounds maintenance is required. A current Oregon Class C driver's license and a current Pesticide Applicator's certification is required. Equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered qualifying.

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