Grounds Lead Worker

University-of-Mary-Washington; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Mary Washington is seeking a Grounds Lead Worker to supervise and perform general landscape and grounds maintenance across campus facilities. You will coordinate with supervisors daily for projects, manage designated turf and landscape areas, and ensure safe operation of equipment and adherence to sustainability standards.

The role requires prior grounds maintenance experience, the ability to follow detailed instructions, and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of turf and landscape plants; willingness to learn.
• Ability to follow English instructions, written and spoken.
• Basic computer skills (email, MS Office, internet).
• Proven ability to coordinate with crew or work independently and make safe decisions.

Responsibilities

• Operate gas-powered or battery-powered landscape equipment to maintain turf and green spaces.
• Respond to service calls and emergencies such as spills or animal issues.
• Monitor campus daily and report unsafe conditions or damages to management.
• Safely use and maintain equipment and PPE in accordance with safety policies.

Skills

Grounds knowledge

Team coordination

English communication

Basic computer skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Grounds equipment operation

Job description

Title: Grounds Lead Worker

VP Area: Administration & Finance - UMW

Department: Grounds

Campus Location: Main Campus

Advertised Range: $35,012 - $37,500

(A final salary offer will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, and is not is not negotiable beyond what is advertised.)

*This posting will fill multiple openings.*

Job Summary/Basic Functions

Known for its exceptional urban canopy and landscape, UMW Lead Groundskeepers will lead and perform general landscape and grounds maintenance duties on the UMW Campuses and other university holdings. This position will be a working crew member, coordinating with supervisors daily for projects and tasks. You will maintain designated campus turf and landscape areas, strive for a safe workplace and ensure that assigned equipment is safely and efficiently used and maintained.

Functioning independently or with a crew, Lead Groundskeepers:

• utilize gas-powered or battery-powered equipment, trim, blow, clean up and transport leaves, tree limbs, mulch, debris, etc.
• address frequent service calls and emergencies such a spill, animal issues or asphalt patching.
• while working, monitor the campus daily, promptly reporting unsafe conditions or damage to campus landscape, equipment or facilities to management.
• safely operate Z-turn mowers, tractors and other equipment: hand and self-propelled machines and tools including string trimmers, walk-behind mowers, blowers, snow blowers, plows, sanders, digging bars, rakes and shovels to achieve required sustainable landscape standards.
• support litter and recycling collection during the week and special events.
• understand and demonstrate safe operation, storage and basic maintenance of vehicles, tools and equipment.
• wear appropriate PPE as required by task or department policy.

Note: The intent of this list of primary duties is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this job. Incumbents perform other related duties assigned. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. This position has been deemed essential as defined in Policy No. 1.04 of the Department of Personnel and Training Policies and Procedures Manual. This position is designated to report to UMW during emergencies or when the University closes during uncertain weather conditions.

Required KSAs/Competencies/Qualifications

• Working knowledge of species of turf, woody and herbaceous plant material or strong desire to learn.
• Ability to follow and perform extensive and complex oral and written instructions in English.
• Understanding and use of basic office/computer skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet).
• Proven ability to coordinate with other crew members or act independently and make safe, informed decisions.

Required Experience:

• Experience in commercial/ professional grounds keeping or directly related work.
• Experience in the operation of a wide range of commercial power grounds maintenance equipment.

Required Education:

N/A

Required Licensure:

• Must possess a valid Driver’s License to operate a University/state owned or leased vehicle.

Additional Considerations:

KSAs

• Basic knowledge of and experience with identification of ornamental pests and disruptions to healthy growth.
• Knowledge and experience with horticultural pesticide application.

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION

• VDACS Pesticide Applicators certificate and respirator certification or ability to become certified within one year of employment.

Excluding current UMW employees, selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a criminal history background check. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions. For more information, please visit http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/.

The University of Mary Washington adheres to the principle of equal opportunity. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, parental status (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors in recruiting, admitting, enrolling students or hiring and promoting faculty and staff members. Complaints of discrimination should be directed to the EEO officer of the University.

UMW Values Veterans

UMW is a proud member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program, authorized under the Code of Virginia (§2.2-2001.2). We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible for additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard or Reserve. For more information please visit https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process (AHP). To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly Certificate of Disability or COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note

Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.