Groundskeeper II

Weston&Sampson, Inc.; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition discount

Job summary

Western Michigan University is seeking a Groundskeeper II in Kalamazoo, MI to maintain campus grounds, trees, shrubs, flower beds, and related landscape features across WMU properties. The role runs 6:00 a.m.

– 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with weekends off, and includes setting up facilities for events and basic maintenance of landscape structures. Required are a high school diploma, a valid Michigan driver’s license, and the ability to obtain a MDARD pesticide license within 40 workdays.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Ability to read and comprehend written instructions and safety regulations regarding the performance of job duties and ability to understand and comply with oral instructions.
• Sufficient writing ability to prepare any necessary supply and work orders.
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license.
• Currently have or have the ability to obtain a valid Michigan Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license with turfgrass (category 3a) and right-of-way (category 6) endorsements within 40 working days of hire.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job and use the tools of the trade.
• Ability to complete a physical examination administered by the employer’s designated physician to determine the candidate’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Removes trash, rubbish, biohazards, and debris from grounds, walkways, parking lots and structures, external receptacles and other surfaces and structures in assigned areas/regions.
• Maintains shrub beds and tree wells, removing leaves and other debris, turning dirt and/or mulch, and trimming edges.
• Weeds and waters flower beds, lawns and other grassy areas, groundcover areas, and other plantings.
• Mows and trims lawns and other grassy areas, and prepares plant beds for planting/installation of trees and shrubbery.
• During winter months, removes snow and ice from walkways, porches, steps, and other structures.
• Sets up indoor and outdoor facilities for University events, including graduations and athletic contests, and may assist in installing, repairing, replacing, and maintaining fences, retaining walls, trash receptacles, and landscape forms.
• May assist in the removal of dead or diseased trees, shrubs, or other plantings; trimming and removal of dead or damaged limbs; installation of major plantings and new trees and shrubs; and other care and maintenance of flora on campus.
• Maintains the work area, all tools, all equipment, all supplies, and any assigned vehicles in a neat, clean, and orderly condition, and performs all work in accordance with established safety practices.
• Performs appropriate operational checks of all power tools and equipment before, during, and after each use.
• Performs additional duties as requested by supervisory personnel.

Skills

Reading comprehension

Written communication

Safety awareness

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Power landscape maintenance tools

Snow removal equipment

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Posting Summary

College

College VP Business And Finance-DIV

Executive Area

Executive Area VP Business And Finance

Department

Department FacilMgmt-Landscape Services

Posting Number

Posting Number S1717P

Job Type

Job Type Full Time, Regular

Pay Type

Pay Type Nonexempt/Hourly

Pay Grade

Pay Grade M2.5

Campus Location

Campus Location WMU-Kalamazoo - Main Campus

Salary Range

Salary Range $21.53 per hour plus generous benefits.

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

General Summary

• Provides manual labor to maintain grounds, trees, shrubs, flower beds, other plantings, landscape forms and vehicle and pedestrian accessways throughout the University.

Major Duties

• Removes trash, rubbish, biohazards, and debris from grounds, walkways, parking lots and structures, external receptacles and other surfaces and structures in assigned areas/regions.
• Maintains shrub beds and tree wells, removing leaves and other debris, turning dirt and/or mulch, and trimming edges.
• Weeds and waters flower beds, lawns and other grassy areas, groundcover areas, and other plantings.
• Mows and trims lawns and other grassy areas, and prepares plant beds for planting/installation of trees and shrubbery.
• During winter months, removes snow and ice from walkways, porches, steps, and other structures.
• Sets up indoor and outdoor facilities for University events, including graduations and athletic contests, and may assist in installing, repairing, replacing, and maintaining fences, retaining walls, trash receptacles, and landscape forms.
• May assist in the removal of dead or diseased trees, shrubs, or other plantings; trimming and removal of dead or damaged limbs; installation of major plantings and new trees and shrubs; and other care and maintenance of flora on campus.
• Maintains the work area, all tools, all equipment, all supplies, and any assigned vehicles in a neat, clean, and orderly condition, and performs all work in accordance with established safety practices.
• Performs appropriate operational checks of all power tools and equipment before, during, and after each use.
• Performs additional duties as requested by supervisory personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Ability to read and comprehend written instructions and safety regulations regarding the performance of job duties and ability to understand and comply with oral instructions.
• Sufficient writing ability to prepare any necessary supply and work orders.
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license.
• Currently have or have the ability to obtain a valid Michigan Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license with turfgrass (category 3a) and right-of-way (category 6) endorsements within 40 working days of hire. The University will recognize all MDARD reciprocal agreements.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job and use the tools of the trade.
• Ability to complete a physical examination administered by the employer’s designated physician to determine the candidate’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Desired Qualifications

• One or more years of professional and/or institutional grounds experience.
• Prior experience in the operation of power landscape maintenance tools.

• Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, go to: https://wmich.edu/hr/enrollment-afscme
• Above is a summary of the description for the position of Groundskeeper II. A complete description for this position may be reviewed upon request in the department of Human Resources, Room 1300, Seibert Administration Building or online at:
  https://wmich.edu/hr/descriptions-afscme
• This is a first (1st) shift position. The regular work hours for this position are 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The regular work days are Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday off.

Physical requirements and working conditions

• Must wear MIOSHA -approved safety shoes at all times, and must wear a hard hat and safety glasses as required by MIOSHA rules when operating power equipment. Ear plugs are required when operating tools/equipment-producing noise levels exceeding MIOSHA standards. Other protective gear must be worn when appropriate.
• Must wear no loose-fitting clothing, which might become entangled in equipment, posing a hazard to the incumbent’s safety.
• Must be able to tolerate with some type of hearing protection, exposure to noise levels of 90 decibels.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to extreme temperatures ranging from -25° F to 120° F, depending on seasonal work assignments.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, grass clippings, and other airborne debris, as well as weed killers, fertilizers, and other lawn care chemicals.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged exposure to sunlight.

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.