Grounds Keeper I

Victoria College; Victoria (TX); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits eligible

Job summary

Victoria College is seeking a full-time Grounds Keeper I to maintain campus grounds, plant and care for trees and shrubs, and manage irrigation systems. The role involves outdoor work with power equipment and requires passing a post-offer physical and drug screen.

Work is performed outdoors as part of a team; this position is benefits eligible and contributes to maintaining a welcoming campus environment for students and staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one-year full-time grounds keeping experience.
• Experience with care and maintenance of trees, shrubs and ornamental plants.
• Ability to learn safe and efficient operation of lawn maintenance equipment including mowers, edger, weed eater and backpack blower.

Responsibilities

• Perform grounds keeping work and follow routine instructions to maintain grounds in an attractive condition.
• Inspect campus grounds for trash and remove trash.
• General grounds maintenance including trash pickup, sidewalk sweeping, and outdoor maintenance.
• Mow lawns using riding or walk-behind mowers; use edger, weed eater and leaf blowers.
• Plant and maintain trees, shrubs and plants; use pruning saw and related tools.
• Install and maintain lawn irrigation systems.

Skills

Outdoor work

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Safety awareness

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Lawn mowers

Zero-turn mowers

Edger

Weed eater

Leaf blowers

Chainsaws

Pruning saw

Backpack blower

Job description

The Facilities Services Department is recruiting for one full time Grounds Keeper I. This position is responsible for working with a team to water, mow, and maintain campus grounds as directed. Responsible for planting and maintaining trees, shrubs and flowerbeds. Responsible for maintaining irrigation systems. Will also sweep parking lots and roadways, pick up trash, and assist on other projects as directed. Work is primarily outdoors and will involve the use of power equipment. This position requires passing a post-offer physical and drug screen.

This position is benefits eligible. For more information on Victoria College's excellent benefits package.

About Our Institution

Victoria College (VC) is a vital public community college located in Victoria, Texas and has been a respected community partner in the Crossroads region since 1925 and continues to offer quality, affordable educational opportunities to help our students achieve their dreams. VC offers a variety of high-quality associate's degrees and transfer programs, preparing students for success in their chosen fields. The college fosters a close-knit community, serving approximately 7,100 students across diverse backgrounds and learning styles, including full-time, part-time, online, veterans, and adult learners. VC features five academic divisions:

1. Academic Support & Student Success
2. Allied Health
3. Career & Technical Education
4. Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
5. Science, Mathematics, Engineering, & Physical Education

Additionally, VC offers various programs through the Academy of Lifelong Learning, catering to the educational needs of the community.

Living in the Area

Victoria, a charming city with a population of around 67,000, provides a welcoming and affordable environment. Residents enjoy a variety of benefits, including diverse culinary experiences, a rich cultural scene with museums and art galleries, and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Victoria boasts over 50 parks and green spaces, including Riverside Park and Spring Creek Greenway, offering scenic walking and biking trails. The city is well-connected with regional transportation networks, including Victoria Regional Airport and multiple bus services. Victoria's cost of living is significantly lower than the national average, making it an attractive option for students and families alike.

1. In the capacity as a Groundskeeper I, performs grounds keeping work and follows routine instructions to maintain grounds in an attractive condition;
2. Responsible for inspecting all areas of campus grounds for trash and removing the trash;
3. Responsible for general grounds maintenance including trash pick-up, sidewalk sweeping & cleaning, and other outdoor grounds maintenance;
4. Responsible for lawn mowing and lawn care; work will involve the use of riding/walk behind lawnmowers, edger, weed eater/string trimmer, and leaf blowers;
5. Responsible for planting and maintaining trees, shrubs and plants; work will involve the use of chainsaws, pruning saw, and miscellaneous hand tools;
6. Additional responsibilities will include installing and maintaining lawn irrigation systems.
7. May assist the Supervisor of Grounds Keeping and/or the Grounds Keeping Crew Leader with the safe application of fertilizers and pesticides; Reads and follows label and directions
8. May occasionally assist other crews with general maintenance and events set-up & takedown;
9. Receives supervision and instructions from the Supervisor of Grounds Keeping and/or the Grounds Keeping Crew Leader;
10. May receive in-the-field corrective directions from a Groundskeeper II;
11. Performs related work as assigned.

• Must have a minimum of one-year full-time grounds keeping experience. Military service and demonstrable knowledge of lawn care and equipment may be substituted for one year of full-time experience.
• Experience must include lawn care, with knowledge of the care and maintenance of trees, shrubs and ornamental plants.
• Must have knowledge or ability to learn how to safely and efficiently operate lawn maintenance equipment including, hand tools, lawn mowers, zero-turn mowers, utility cart, edger, weed eater/string trimmer, and backpack blower.
• Willingness to work with lawn fertilizers, dust, fumes and odors associated with outdoor environment and to wear safety and protective equipment as needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other employees.
• Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License.
• High School diploma or GED.
• Must be able to read and follow directions on pesticide labels and other safety information.
• Must possess a smart phone or other approved device and agree to install and utilize the ExakTime Mobile App to capture and record all employee time records.

• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to safely push, carry, or regularly lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds frequently and 75 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to walk long distances.
• Must be able to stand for a minimum of two (2) hours without a break.
• Must be able to climb and work from ladders.
• Must be able to kneel, bend/stoop, and reach frequently.
• Must be able to wear safety and protective equipment in the application of lawn pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.