Groundskeeper III

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Grand Rapids, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Grand Rapids seeks a Groundskeeper III to lead cemetery grounds activities, oversee grave sales assistance, and coordinate grave maintenance. Responsibilities include turf maintenance in parks, irrigation management, and supervision of seasonal staff.

Applicant must have a High School diploma and five years of grounds keeping experience with pesticides, plus CDL Class A with air brake endorsement. Training in tractor/mower, Bobcat, and forklift to be completed within six months.

Qualifications

• High School diploma required.
• Five years of grounds keeping experience with pesticides.
• CDL Class A with air brake endorsement required.
• Within six months: tractor/mower, Bobcat and forklift training completed.

Responsibilities

• Supervises seasonal maintenance staff and delegates tasks.
• Maintains cemeteries and grounds: mowing, watering, fertilizing, disease/insect checks.
• Operates irrigation systems and researches parts; ensures leaks are fixed.
• Digs and prepares graves; sets up burial services equipment.
• Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and facilities; custodial tasks.

Education

High School diploma

Tools

CDL Class A

Backhoe training

Tractor/mower training

Bobcat training

Forklift training

Job description

Nature of Work The purpose of this job is to act as a lead worker over city cemetery activities, including the proper implementation of whole body and cremation interments; installation of markers, marker foundations, and monument foundations; scheduling customer service appointments for grave sales and providing assistance in locating graves; and coordinating grave maintenance activities. In addition to these duties, the Groundskeeper III should also be able to maintain turf in parks and other areas by applying fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides. Repairs damaged areas by ordering and laying sod. Operates and maintains irrigation systems; sets timers for irrigation systems; checks for leaks, changes and adjusts sprinkler heads; makes minor repairs to irrigation systems. Essential Duties & Responsibilities The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Supervises the work of seasonal maintenance employees; participates in and delegates work assignments
• Maintains, cemeteries and other grounds by cutting grass, watering, fertilizing, checking for disease and insect damage; trims trees and shrubs; maintains flower beds; applies herbicides as directed
• Operates water spigot system; regulates valves, checks for leaks, adjusts pressure hands; waters as needed; researches and orders parts
• Digs and fills graves; sets up and takes down tents chairs and other equipment for burial services
• Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and facilities fixtures and infrastructure
• Picks up trash and debris
• Operates a variety of standard power tools and equipment in grounds maintenance and repair activities on a regular basis
• Enforces cemetery rules, as needed; answers inquiries from the public
• Paints and makes repairs to playground equipment; prepares athletic fields, courts and trails; repairs and paints picnic tables, park buildings, fences, rails and the like; performs custodial duties in park facilities
• Cleans, paints and disinfects swimming pools
• Makes cost estimates for grounds improvements; provides advice on the purchase of landscaping and maintenance materials
• Maintains records; sells plots; collects fees
• Performs related work as required

This posting is intended to fill a position within the Cemeteries division of Parks and Recreation. If you are not selected for this position, you will remain on an eligible list for future openings in this or other divisions. This eligible list will remain active for a period of six (6) months.

Minimum Training and Experience

• High School diploma

Required Education and Experience

--AND--

• Five (5) years of experience in grounds keeping activities, including the use of pesticides

--OR--

• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities

Required Licenses, Certifications, and Trainings

At time of hire:

• Class “A” Commercial driver’s license (CDL) with air brake endorsement
• Backhoe trained

Within six (6) months of hire:

• Tractor/mower trained
• Bobcat trained
• Forklift trained

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pesticide Applicator Certification in Category, 3A, 3B, and 6

Additional Postings available from City of Grand Rapids