Grounds Maintenance Technician

Southwestern Community College; Sylva (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwestern Community College is seeking a Grounds/maintenance technician to perform manual labor tasks for campus beautification, maintenance and safety. Responsibilities include operating lawn equipment, pruning, watering, pest control, leaf removal, snow/ice removal, and basic small-engine repair.

The role supports events, inventory, and facilities projects, with a schedule starting early in the morning on weekdays and occasional evenings.

Qualifications

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

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.
• 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

Skills

Gardening techniques

Safety practices

Reading & writing

Grounds equipment

Education

High school diploma or GED

Certificate or A.A.S in related field preferred

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.