Job Summary 

Responsible for the overall maintenance of the campus landscape including mowing of all turf areas, vegetation management, snow and ice removal, installation and/or removal of new and disturbed landscapes and the operation and general maintenance of equipment used during ground maintenance operations.

Job Duties 

Mowing and General Grounds keeping Duties:
- Operate lawn mowing equipment including push mowers as well as large riding mowers for mowing turf. Operate turf raking equipment to remove unwanted debris from turf areas.
- Perform general gardening maintenance such as raking leaves, laying sod, setting irrigation pipe and sprinklers, planting trees and other landscape material using a variety of manual tools and equipment such as rakes, pruning shears, edgers, loppers, shovels, wheelbarrows.
- Operate turf renovation equipment to top dress, aerify, over seed and edge athletic fields.
- Manually or with self-propelled equipment, remove debris/litter, leaves brush, snow and ice from areas such as walks, stairs, roads, ramps and parking facilities. Apply ice-melt, sand and gravel.

Landscaping and Projects:
- Use aerial lifts as elevated platform to prune and remove trees. Use power saws to trim, shape and remove dead and diseased trees and shrubs.
- Operate motorized equipment such as automobiles, trucks, dump trucks, forklifts, small tractors and front end loaders, street cleaning equipment, lawn sweepers, trailers, trenchers, turf renovation equipment, aerial lift devices, wood chipper and snow blowers.
- Operate large one and two ton trucks including dump trucks to haul materials or snow as needed.
- Assist on landscape construction projects including the planting of trees and shrubs, hydro-seeding large turf areas, installing mulch, concrete landscape blocks and pavers and the construction of raw areas for lawns including rough and fine grading.
- Operate forklift to move benches, sandbags, parking rails, lumber, pipe and other materials.
- Operate power tools and equipment such as compressors, tampers, jackhammers and portable pumps.

Grounds Safety/Maintenance:
- Assist trades or crafts in maintenance and construction such as repairing and installing sanitary storm drains and sewers, building and repairing parking lots and sidewalks, installing light bases and protection bollards.
- Clean catch basins, storm drains.
- Repair fences
- Install sandbags in flooding situations
- Assist with snow removal
- Attend safety and training sessions.
- Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications 

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position and meet the physical demands of the working conditions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Valid Washington State driver's license
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in professional landscaping maintenance.
• Experience operating a riding lawn mower
• Experience operating landscaping equipment such as front end loader, turf rake/sweeper, top dresser, and wood chipper.
• Experience using hand tools such as rakes, pruning shears, edger, lopper, weed trimmer, shovel, wheelbarrow, and chainsaw.

Competencies

• Perform our Best: Interact daily with faculty, students, staff and others in the campus community in a professional manner. Treat others and be treated with respect; perform with integrity, honesty and professionalism; participate constructively in open communication; help to resolve issues and difficult situations in ways that reduce conflict and maintain good working relationships; improve work performance and take an active part in generating a mutually supportive environment. Recognize that diversity is an asset and value cultural, physical and professional differences.
• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule 

Salary: $2262/month with periodic increases up to $2914/month 

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 6:00am-2:30pm (1 hour lunch) / WFSE Bargaining Unit 1 

Working Conditions: This position may work indoors and outdoors, at times in hot/cold/noisy/dirty/wet/confined areas such as mechanical rooms, manholes and excavations, and may need to physically access work areas with the equipment and tools necessary for completion of the job. This often requires standing/crawling/bending/walking/climbing while carrying/pulling/pushing/lifting associated with equipment or tools. Occasional overtime is required and shift work may be required. May need to drive a service vehicle in congested areas.

Scheduled hours will vary depending on the needs of the department. Occasional overtime work is required. May be required to work weekends, days, evenings and holidays. 

Outdoor work will include work in extreme seasonal temperatures and weather including daylight, darkness, prolonged periods of direct sun, rain, snow and other weather conditions. The Groundskeeper must be physically able to ride/operate a riding lawn mower for an 8 hour work day 5 days per week in areas that include pedestrian traffic, vehicles and buildings as well as open spaces.

In addition, this position will work with and be exposed to machinery, tools, electrical equipment and chemicals associated with pesticide application. Will work around all utilities during excavations, maintenance and installations and be exposed to insects that may be in the environment. Must be able to receive and exchange information verbally and maintain awareness of immediate vicinity in order to recognize, respond to and/or avoid potentially hazardous conditions/surroundings.

Interior work will include mechanical and vehicle maintenance areas, Grounds Maintenance shop areas and Facilities Management offices. The Groundskeeper will be exposed to machinery, tools and hazards associated with maintenance shop areas including, but not limited to, hydraulic equipment, pneumatic equipment, electrical equipment, welders, vehicle maintenance equipment, power tools, hand tools and various safety hazards typically associated with maintenance shops.

Must be physically able to do the work including lifting and carrying or moving up to 50 pounds at waist height and up to 25 pounds at shoulder height, carry and/or move and push/pull items with the strength factor associated with heavy work, and operate equipment and vehicles used by the Groundskeeper.

Must be able to see and read a variety of materials, possess dexterity of hands and fingers to operate tools, materials and equipment necessary to perform functions of the job; bend at the waist, kneel or crouch and crawl under vehicles; sit, stand and walk for extended periods of time; climb ladders and reach above shoulders and horizontally. This position is considered an essential position and availability will be required to respond to University emergencies.

Benefits : CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit: http://www.cwu.edu/hr/benefits-0 

How To Apply 

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

• Resume including work history, education, training; and

• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: April 25, 2018

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Contact Information 

Name: Sunny Bloxham
Title: Director; Custodial, Grounds & Transportation Services
Email: Sunny.Bloxham@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 963-1155
Website: Facilities Management Department

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment 

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

This is a Bargaining Unit I position and incumbent, as a condition of employment, will be required to become a member of the Washington Federation of State Employees, AFL-CIO, or pay a representation fee or a non-association fee within thirty calendar days from date of hire.