Groundskeeper

Tulsa Health Department; United States; On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Retirement Plan

Flex Spending Accounts

Job summary

Tulsa Health Department is seeking a dedicated grounds maintenance technician to care for lawns, shrubs, trees and flowers across our facilities. You will operate powered tools, perform soil preparation and fertilizing, and maintain equipment while assisting with housekeeping tasks as needed.

A high school diploma or equivalent and 1+ year of grounds keeping experience are required; a valid driver’s license is preferred.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience: 1+ year in janitorial, grounds keeping, or related work.
• Knowledge of hazardous chemical/biological materials safety.

Responsibilities

• Cut lawns and shrubs using mowers and clippers.
• Prune trees and maintain grounds equipment.
• Apply fertilizers and pesticides and operate irrigation systems.
• Perform housekeeping duties at facilities as needed.
• Follow safety procedures and maintain inventory of supplies.

Skills

Hazardous materials awareness

Safety procedures

Equipment operation

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Lawn mowers

Sprayers

Tractors

Tillers

Backhoe

Job description

Tulsa Health Department is actively seeking dedicated individuals passionate about making a positive impact on their community. Join us in improving the health and overall well‑being of every resident in Tulsa County.

POSITION SUMMARY

Primarily responsible for planting and maintaining lawns, shrubs, flowers, and trees; trims and prunes as required; applies fertilizer, insecticide, fungicide and water; maintains outdoor furniture and equipment and repairs grounds keeping equipment and tools, as well as cleaning and minor maintenance at all Health Department sites.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS – GROUNDS (45% of Time)

• Uses power and hand mowers and clippers to cut lawns and shrubs.
• Maintains trees using pruning shears and pruning saws.
• Uses and maintains special power tools and equipment, including lawn sweeper, sprayer, pneumatic tools, automatic sprinkler system, salt spreader, aerifier, roto-tiller, trencher, backhoe, trucks, fork lifts, front end loader, tractor and grader.
• Uses and maintains hand tools such as shovel, rake, hoe, broom, pick, post hole digger, hoses, dolly and wheelbarrow.
• Requisitions material, supplies and tools and keeps simple inventory records.
• Prepares soil by cultivating, fertilizing and soil conditioning.
• May mix and apply sprays and dusts.
• Removes and stores plants and bulbs for winter.
• Starts, transplants and develops seedlings, sod, trees and cuttings.
• Adjusts, lubricates and repairs sprinklers, mowers and grounds equipment as required.
• Completes required training in support of duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Other duties as assigned including those required to fulfill activities in support of public health emergency operations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS – HOUSEKEEPING (45% OF Time)

• Performs sweeping, mopping, waxing and vacuuming duties on building floors.
• Performs scrubbing, washing, dusting, polishing and painting duties on walls, woodwork, windows, furniture and other equipment.
• Cleans and sanitizes lavatories, examination rooms and washrooms.
• Maintains and refills paper towel and soap dispensers in washrooms, examination rooms and other lavatory areas.
• Collects and disposes of trash and garbage, utilizing proper safety procedures to handle and dispose of potentially hazardous chemical and biological materials and wastes.
• Moves equipment and furniture.
• Collects and disposes of trash and litter on the facility grounds.
• Maintains lighting/air conditioning filters, etc.
• Practices good customer service internally and externally by maintaining a helpful attitude.
• Other duties as assigned including those required to fulfill activities in support of public health emergency operations.

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS - NON-ESSENTIAL (10% of Time)

• Operates and maintains trucks and other vehicles in the performance of assigned duties and performs minor maintenance on vehicles.

QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience: One or more years of experience in janitorial, grounds keeping or related work.

Knowledge and Skills & Abilities: Knowledge of what constitutes hazardous chemical/biological materials and wastes, and safety procedures needed to safely handle such materials. Ability to use a wide variety of tools and equipment and the knowledge to maintain them. Ability to use power mowers, clippers, sprayers, spreaders, aerifiers, roto-tillers, salt spreaders, trucks, tractors, trenchers, post hole diggers, pruning saws, chain saws, and lift trucks. Ability to work from verbal instructions, work orders and schedules. Ability to work with minimum supervision.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal contact with all personnel regarding maintenance requests.

PHYSICAL EFFORT, MENTAL EFFORT AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Effort

Intermittently lift up to 50 lb. objects by hand and handle heavier objects by other means. Occasional work in extremes of hot and cold weather. Occasional strenuous physical effort is required in moving furniture, cleaning floors and emptying trash. Motor skills are required to operate janitorial equipment such as waxing machines, vacuum cleaners and floor polishers.

Mental Effort

Reasoning: Must be able to follow instructions in order to competently perform routine, repetitive tasks. Mathematics: Should be able to perform simple addition and subtraction; copying figures, counting and recording. Language: Should be able to understand and follow verbal or demonstrated instructions; write identifying information; request supplies verbally or in writing.

Working Conditions

Frequent exposure to dirty working conditions, dust and toxic materials. Exposure to occasional undesirable weather conditions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY

Direct Supervision – None. Indirect Supervision - None. Budget/Money/Material – Responsible for assigned equipment. Reports to – Sr. Maintenance Technician

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must maintain THD record confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations. Must possess ability and willingness to perform work‑related travel.

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Benefits

We offer a complete benefits package to full‑time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long‑term disability, holidays, and paid time off. Part‑time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro‑rated basis. See below for more details or visit our benefit page Benefits | Tulsa Health Department (tulsa-health.org): Competitive Salary Paid Holidays (typically 13 days per calendar year + 2 floating holidays) Paid Time Off (PTO) 20 hours per month Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) Retirement Pension Fund with a 5‑year vesting period. (THD contributes 15.2% while the employee contributes 3.5% of monthly salary) Investment Benefits (e.g., 401A Employer/Employee Matching Fund (max. $150 per month), 457 Deferred Compensation Plan). Extended Sick Leave (ESL) Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Group Life Insurance and Supplemental Life Insurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Short- and Long‑Term Disability Insurance Critical Illness Care Plan including Cancer* Accident Plan Hospitalization Plan Supplemental and Whole Life Plans Legal and Identity Theft Protection Plans Public Service Loan Forgiveness Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP) - employer contributes 1% of the employee’s salary per year and unused employee sick leave is transferred to PEHP account upon retirement Employee Assistance Program Working 4 Balance - Workplace Wellness Program Promotional Opportunities Flex Plan Tulsa Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union THD employment qualifies for nursing education loan repayment through the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program.

Mission and Outlook

The Tulsa Health Department’s mission is to protect and support Tulsa County communities in pursuit of their health goals with a vision that all communities will meet those goals. Choosing a career in public health is a way to make lives better for your community, your neighbor, your family and yourself while also receiving ongoing education opportunities and excellent benefits.