Grounds Worker (U) (2015)

SIU Medicine; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

SIU Medicine is seeking a groundskeeper to perform unskilled and semi-skilled labor for maintenance and landscaping on site. The role includes planting, watering, mowing, pruning, snow/ice removal, and basic repairs to grounds features and tools.

The position emphasizes on-site work with duties across lawns, trees, shrubs, and related landscapes under supervision. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and relevant experience or coursework.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of grounds maintenance equipment, machinery and hand/power tools.
• Understanding of customer service standards and satisfaction evaluation.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations quickly and correctly.
• Physical ability to perform outdoor labor in varying conditions.
• Effective communication skills in writing and speaking.
• Ability to read and understand written instructions.
• Time management and task prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

• Plant, transplant, water, prune, mow, and tend to landscaped areas on SIU Medicine property.
• Maintain roads, parking lots, sidewalks, signage, benches, and other features; repair tools and equipment.
• Assist in cultivating shrubs, trees, flowers; perform related pruning and removal tasks.
• Mow and edge lawns; care for established turf; perform seasonal snow/ice removal and salting when needed.
• Clean streets, walks, drains, and outdoor areas as requested; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Grounds maintenance knowledge

Customer service

Mathematical ability

Physical stamina

Communication (oral/written)

Reading comprehension

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Coursework in horticulture/landscaping (6 months)

Related work experience

Job description

Under the direct supervision from the Superintendent of Grounds, performs unskilled and semi-skilled labor in connection with grounds maintenance or construction including duties such as: planting, transplanting, watering, pruning, mowing lawns, and otherwise tending to SIU Medicine property and landscaping but not limited to lawns, trees, flowers, bushes or other shrubbery and ornamental plants.

*This position is ON SITE only*

20% Repairs and maintains secondary roads, parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, signage, benches, fountains, planters, and other grounds features. Also maintains and repairs tools and equipment.

20% Assists in cultivating, transplanting, watering, maintaining and removing shrubs, trees and flowers when necessary.

35% Mows and edges lawns, using power mowers and edgers and cares for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing and removing thatch. Trim and edge around flower beds, walks and walls. Removes snow and ice from walks, stairs, ramps, driveways, and parking lots; spreads salt, cinders, or sand in these areas as needed. Operates power equipment and hand tools in the performance of assigned duties.

20% Cleans streets, walks, drains, parking lots, porch areas, and other outdoor areas as requested.

5% Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties described above.

Credentials to be Verified by Placement Officer

1. High school diploma or equivalent.


2. Any one or combination totaling six (6) months from the categories below:
   
   
   
   1. Coursework or vocational training in horticulture, landscaping, or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      
      
      
      • Fifteen (15) semester hours equals six (6) months
      
      
      
      
   
   
   2. Work experience in grounds maintenance, landscape maintenance, nursery, agriculture work, grounds construction, and/or tending to lawns, turfs, trees, flowers, bushes or other shrubberies, ornamental plants, and other grounds-related work.
   
   
   
   


3. Valid/current driver's license as required by the State of Illinois for the type of motor vehicles(s) to be operated by the incumbent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of grounds maintenance equipment, machinery and hand and power tools, including their designs, uses, maintenance, and repairs.


2. Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services, including meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.


3. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.


4. Ability to perform general physical activities required by the job.


5. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.


6. Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing


7. Ability to manage one’s own time and to complete tasks in a timely manner.

Condition of Employment

Pursuant to the State Universities Civil Service System, an out-of-state resident who is hired into this position must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of their start date.