Grounds Maintenance Technician

Southwestern Community College; North Carolina; On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwestern Community College seeks a Grounds/Maintenance Technician to perform manual labor ensuring campus grounds are aesthetically pleasing and safe. Tasks include managing lawns, shrubs, beds, and trees, with responsibility for equipment operation and seasonal maintenance.

The role requires dawn shifts, outdoor work, and occasional evenings, with duties spanning upkeep, event prep, and basic repairs as needed to support campus facilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; related certification preferred.
• Knowledge of gardening techniques and safety practices; ability to read and write.
• Experience operating commercial-grade grounds equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate power equipment such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, weed eaters, and trimmers.
• Trim, edge, or mulch around shrubs, beds, walks, and walls.
• Prune shrubs and trees to maintain shape and health.
• Water beds, shrubs, and trees during dry periods.
• Apply pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers as trained/certified.
• Assist with events and maintenance tasks as needed.

Skills

Gardening techniques

Safety procedures

Reading & writing

Education

High school diploma or GED

Certificate or A.A.S in related field

Tools

Riding mowers

Walk-behind mowers

Leaf blowers

Power chain saws

Forklift

Backhoe

Job description

Statement of Primary Purpose

The primary purpose of the Grounds/maintenance technician is the performance of manual labor tasks necessary to maintain the beautification, maintenance, and safety of the campus grounds and landscaping. Focus on horticulture assistance.

Classification

Full-time, non-exempt, Maintenance Support

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Operate power equipment including lawn mowers, leaf blowers, weed-eater, and trimmers.
• Trim, edge, or mulch with pine bark or pine needles around, shrubs, flower beds, walks and walls.
• Prune shrubs and trees to improve shape and growth.
• Water beds, shrubs, and trees during dry periods.
• Treat lawns, shrubs, beds, and trees using insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers (if
• trained/certified)
• Leaf removal through leaf collection, raking, or use of blowers.
• Remove snow, ice and debris from campus.
• Small engine repair/maintenance.
• Inventory materials and supplies for the grounds department.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with special events requiring grounds preparation and parking assistance.
• Maintain record of chemical licenses and inventory of chemicals used by the grounds staff.
• Assist maintenance with building projects as needed.
• Assist in receiving and unloading trucks as needed.
• Assist with carpentry/masonry projects.
• Set up and tear down for special events.
• Assist with maintenance work orders.
• Assist with painting as needed.
• Wash vehicles as needed.
• Assist with carpentry during remodeling and repair of physical facilities, structures and signage
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Must possess a high school diploma or GED; prefer certificate or A.A.S in related field.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of gardening techniques and safety techniques. Ability to read and write. Experience operating commercial grade grounds equipment.

Physical Demands

High level of physical effort required - including, but not limited to: lifting, carrying, walking, bending, kneeling, etc. and is almost continuous during each shift Lifting requirements, generally 50 lbs.

Licensing Requirement

Must Be licensed driver in NC with safe driving history. Must meet requirements to operate commercial grade grounds equipment. Prefer Forklift certification and NC Pesticide Operators license.

Working Conditions and Environment

Primarily outdoor environment with ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift for majority of assigned shift. Must be available early mornings and occasional evenings as needed. Shift starts at 6:00 a.m. generally Monday - Friday.

Equipment Operation

Riding mowers, walk-behind mowers, lawn tractor yard vacuum, leaf blower vacuum, weed eaters, brush cutters, gas sidewalk edger, gas mulcher and chipper, walk-behind gas parking lot vacuum, power chain saws, gas shrub trimmer, high pressure water sprayers, various sized tractors with attachments (including boom, bush hog, scrape blade, spreader), backhoe, front end loader, forklift, shovels, yard rakes, pitch forks, hand pruning tools, dump truck, snow plow, salt spreader, 14' tandem axle low boy trailer, 8' single axle low boy trailer, 500 gallon water tank and pump, back pack sprayer, walk-behind spreader, jack hammer, Wacker Packer, all types of hand tools, bucket concrete and asphalt saw.

This position description covers the most essential functions and duties associated with this position. Other duties may be assigned by the President or appropriate supervisory personnel. The College reserves the right to alter duties, responsibilities, conditions, working hours, and job title as necessary.