Senior Grounds Keeper

Houston Dose; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Groundskeeper at the University of Houston System performs general grounds work across campus, including mowing, pruning, planting, weed control, and keeping grounds clean. The role requires operating a range of equipment and assisting during hurricane events.

Candidates should have a High School Diploma or GED, two years of groundskeeping experience, and the ability to work in varying weather. A relevant Associate's degree and five years of experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Two years of groundskeeping experience required.
• Associate's degree and five years of groundskeeping experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply herbicides and maintain pesticide records.
• Maintain inventory of chemicals, fertilizers, seeds.
• Care for plants in greenhouse and nursery; prune and propagate.
• Maintain campus lawns, flowerbeds, trees, and shrubs.
• Operate grounds equipment and assist during hurricanes.
• Assist with pothole repairs and inclement weather readiness.

Skills

Equipment operation safety

Plant propagation

Tree & shrub pruning

Color design

Inclement weather readiness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's degree

Job description

Department: FMC - Grounds Maintenance

Salary: Commensurate with Experience and Education

The Senior Groundskeeper performs general grounds work which includes keeping the campus clean of all trash and debris, mowing, trimming, fertilizing, pruning, weeding, raking, seeding, planting flowers, and maintaining flowerbeds, trees, and shrubs. Keeps storm sewers clean during inclement weather. Works in the Greenhouse and Nursery operations and maintenance of interior/exterior plants. May perform minor maintenance on roads, curbs, sidewalks, and storm drains. May operate various grounds equipment and is subject to appointment to hurricane ride-out crew.

Pursuant to the State of Texas Executive Order No. GA-48, this position researches, works on, or has access to critical infrastructure and requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the University infrastructure. This position requires personnel to be routinely reviewed to determine whether or not criminal history or continuous connections for the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the employee from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

Duties

• Applies herbicides to different kinds of weeds to prevent propagation. Maintains pesticide records, safety data sheets, and schedules.
• Maintains inventory of necessary chemicals/fertilizers/seeds for horticultural needs.
• Maintains an inventory of plants within the greenhouse and ensures quality growth utilizing growth methods to ensure good quality and quantity for each planting season. Identifies diseases on plants and flowers for its treatment.
• Maintains/cares for all interior and exterior plants, flowerbeds, and grass areas throughout the campus. Grinds stumps, fertilizes, plants, prunes, trims, mulches, and weeds all trees and hedges on campus.
• Operates weed eater, mower, and edger around all trees, light poles, ditch lines, and curbs on campus. Power blows all hard surfaces and brush; cuts fence lines.
• Operates grounds equipment (weed eaters, blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, pressure washers, tamping machines, mowers, edgers), heavy grounds equipment, and utility vehicles.
• Prepares for hurricanes, freezes, and events and assists other personnel during inclement weather.
• Picks up all trash and debris campus-wide daily. Repairs potholes in streets and parking lots.
• Assists other Groundskeepers to maintain water, fertilize, prune, spray, clean, propagate, transplant, and change out interior plants and performs related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Two years of groundskeeping experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree - Two years of education beyond high school (college or technical school).
• Five years of groundskeeping experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of safe operation of all equipment and knowledge of types of fuel and oil for all equipment.
• Ability to design new flowerbed construction, patterns, color schemes, and replanting.
• Knowledge of plant propagation techniques and growth techniques in greenhouse and nursery production.
• Ability to work alone and in inclement weather.
• Knowledge of proper tree and shrub pruning methods.
• Ability to plan, schedule, and propagate seasonal color change-outs.

All positions at the University of Houston System are security-sensitive and will require a criminal history and a motor vehicle background check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.