Grounds Person, Part-time, On-Call

Phillips Exeter Academy; Exeter (NH); On-site; USD 35,542 - 37,608; Part time

Job summary

Phillips Exeter Academy is seeking a Grounds Person to maintain the Academy’s physical environment, ensuring a clean and safe appearance. This part-time, on-call position involves various tasks such as cleaning, landscaping, and operating grounds maintenance equipment.

The ideal candidate has experience in grounds management and a strong ability to work independently. Responsibilities include maintaining athletic fields and assisting with event setups. A high school diploma or GED is preferred, along with relevant experience in grounds equipment operation.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Minimum 2 years' related experience.
• Experience with grounds equipment and machinery required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the Academy’s physical environment.
• Perform routine manual labor and cleaning duties.
• Operate motorized and non-motorized grounds machines.

Skills

Ability to work independently

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Grounds equipment

Tractors

Job description

Phillips Exeter Academy
20 Main St
Exeter, NH 03833, USA

Grounds Person

Wage Range: $25.80 - $27.30 per hour

SCHEDULE: Part‑time, on‑call. Not to exceed 999 hours annually. Schedule may vary according to departmental and Academy needs. This position is Essential Personnel.

Biweekly (Hourly), On‑call, Part‑Time, 52 weeks, Staff, Facilities, On Campus.

Position Purpose

Maintains and preserves the Academy’s physical environment to ensure a clean, safe appearance and functional condition for those visiting, working on, and using the main campus, athletic facilities, and woodlands.

Job Responsibilities

• Performs routine and repetitive manual labor.
• Cleans culverts, drains, roads, and ditches; spreads sand and gravel; erects road markers; shovels snow; collects refuse; rakes leaves and grass; mows grass; operates light equipment related to above duties, including minor maintenance and cleaning of equipment.
• Performs other grounds maintenance as required.
• Maintains natural grass and synthetic turf athletic fields, including measuring and painting field markings.
• Maintains and repairs lawn irrigation systems.
• Maintains and repairs athletic equipment including goals, nets, and benches.
• Maintains outdoor tennis complex and Phelps Stadium venue.
• Assists with maintenance, event setup, and breakdown for athletic facilities.
• Cleans restrooms, athletic support buildings, and outside areas.
• Moves furniture, heavy objects, and equipment.
• Responsible for cultivating, transplanting, pruning, watering, fertilizing, and maintaining lawns, athletic fields, shrubs, trees, and plantings as instructed.
• Operates all motorized and non-motorized small grounds machines and tractors with implements (e.g., snow blower, power brush, aerator, vacuum, over seeder, sweeper, large rotary mowers, and forklifts).
• Operates bucket truck for tree work.
• Participates in snow removal.
• Maintains a clean and orderly storage area within the grounds department.
• Provides support for the collection, hauling, and disposal of refuse and recycling from Academy facilities and residences.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Ability to work independently and achieve high results with minimal supervision.
• Respect for diversity of identities and experiences, orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of Academy life.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with students by building trust and credibility.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills as well as a strong customer focus.
• Strict adherence to confidential policies is required.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Possess basic computer skills.
• Willingness and ability to learn and utilize additional applications as needed.
• High degree of organizational skills with the ability to be flexible and multi‑task with accuracy.
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions, maintain a professional demeanor and restraint at all times, including stressful situations.

Position Requirements

Education

• High school diploma or GED is preferred.

Experience

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Minimum 2 years’ related experience.
• Experience with grounds equipment and machinery required.
• Knowledge of snow and ice removal operations preferred.
• Irrigation operation experience helpful.
• Pesticide applicator license and knowledge of Integrated Pest Management Practices preferred.
• Experience working with adolescents in an educational setting preferred.
• Experience in an institutional or campus setting.

Physical Requirements

• Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work and will require the ability to remain standing for extended periods of time, go up and down flights of steps, lift and push heavy objects as well as stoop, squat, bend, kneel, crouch, lift, and transport a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Must be able to climb and operate equipment.
• Must be able to work in confined areas and areas subject to extreme heat and cold temperatures.

Additional Requirements

• Successfully complete upon hire a criminal background check (reviewed every 5 years).
• Clean driving record upon hire (reviewed annually).
• Must consistently wear assigned uniform and equipment and adhere to the appearance guidelines.
• May be required to handle hazardous materials in the work area.
• Essential personnel are required to report to or remain at work if instructed directly by designated personnel during emergency events or inclement weather.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.