Grounds and Service Technician I

Susquehanna University; Selinsgrove (Snyder County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Susquehanna University is seeking a Grounds Technician to perform a range of semi-skilled grounds keeping and landscaping tasks in support of the campus community. This is a shared role with responsibilities spanning Grounds and Service operations, with emphasis on groundskeeping (about 60%) and regular support of service operations (about 40%).

Overtime availability is required. The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and prior grounds experience is preferred; a valid driver’s

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Grounds/landscaping experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Follow daily work orders for mowing, edging, pruning, planting, mulching, watering, and maintaining landscape materials.
• Work independently or in small teams on landscaping projects.
• Remove snow and ice, spread ice melt, and work in extreme weather as needed.
• Assist in cleaning and repairing damage from wind, rain, and ice storms; respond to emergencies.
• Collect bagged waste and debris; transport to collection area; keep grounds clean.
• Support the labor shop with deliveries, moving furniture, equipment, and setting up for departments.
• Assist craftsmen (carpenters, plumbers, painters, electricians, housekeepers) as directed.
• Maintain familiarity with safety rules and procedures; request training as needed.
• Operate and maintain equipment; request training as needed.
• Assist with the application of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides under supervision of a licensed applicator.
• Understand and follow all safety rules.

Skills

Ladders

Scaffolding

Push mower

Blowers

Hedge trimmers

Chain saw

Hand tools

Power tools

Flexible schedule

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Lawn tractor

Gas powered blower

Scaffolding

Chain saw

Hedge trimmers

Push mower

Wood/metal ladders

Job description

The Grounds Technician performs a variety of semi-skilled grounds keeping, landscaping and manual labor tasks in support of the campus community. This is a shared position with responsibilities spanning both Grounds and Service operations, with primary emphasis on groundskeeping and landscaping (approx. 60%) and regular support of service operations (approx. 40%). The position reports directly to the Grounds Tech II Lead and collaborates with both departments to meet operational needs across campus. Overtime availability is required. This position is defined as non-exempt under FLSA regulations.

• Follow instructions on daily work orders. Seed and mow grass; trim and edge lawns; gather and bag leaves; prune, weed, plant, mulch, water, and maintain all landscape materials.
• Be able to work both independently as well as on small teams to complete landscaping projects as directed.
• Remove snow and ice from walks and driveways; spread ice melt using motorized equipment, power and hand tools. Work in extreme temperature and weather conditions on an extended basis as necessary.
• Assist in cleaning and repairing damages caused by wind, rain, and ice storms, including emergency situations.
• Collect bagged waste and discarded items at building sites and deliver to collection area. Remove debris from campus grounds on an ongoing basis.
• Assist and support the labor shop as needed with duties including delivering/moving mail, furniture, equipment, supplies, and construction materials; perform set-ups for various University departments.
• Assist carpenters, plumbers, painters, electricians, and housekeepers as assigned.
• Maintain complete familiarity with safety rules and procedures in the performance of assigned duties. Request additional training as needed.
• Maintain complete familiarity with operation and basic maintenance of job-related equipment and supplies. Request additional training as needed.
• Assist with the application of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals as directed and under the supervision of a licensed applicator (Supervisor General Services),
• Understand and follow all safety rules.

Education

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Experience

Ground and/or landscaping experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge of and ability to safely use the following equipment: Extension ladders, @ 16 ft. to 60 ft., 38 lbs. to 100 lbs.; Stepladders; wood, aluminum, and fiberglass @ 3 ft. to 12 ft., 22 lbs. to 77 lbs.; Tractor; Push Mower; Gas Powered Blowers; Hedge trimmers, electric and manual; Chain saw, 20 lbs.; Furniture carts; Scaffolding up to 50 ft. high - 40 lbs. per end section; Hand tools: shovel, sledge hammer, pick ax, post hole digger, common mechanics hand tools; Power tools: drills, saws, and grinder, Gators and electric golf carts (with and without trailers and towed equipment). The ability to receive and interpret instructions and to maintain a flexible work schedule.

Additional Requirements

This position requires a valid driver’s license, and the ability to drive and qualify under the university’s insurance carrier when driving a university and/or leased vehicle.

Physical Demand

Work routines involve climbing scaffolding, stairs, and step ladders; bending; lifting many and various items; creeping on knees; raking and shoveling; pushing and pulling equipment.

• Lifts various weights up to 100 lbs. on a frequent basis.
• Pushes or pulls various weights up to 100 lbs. on a frequent basis.
• Carries various weights up to 100 lbs. on a frequent basis.
• Work outside exposed to low and high temperatures and weather.