People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Groundskeeper III

  • Title: Groundskeeper III
  • Class: Classified
  • Exempt Status: Non-exempt
  • Grade: 18

Job Summary

Under the direction of grounds maintenance management, works independently to perform a wide range of landscape maintenance duties, working safely with gas and diesel powered equipment including mowers, tractors, chainsaws etc., and attending to plants, trees and lawns on assigned campuses. Performs work as designated essential personnel. Incumbents in this job classification work independently to develop landscape maintenance plans and take a lead role in coordinating the work of Groundskeeper I and II for their assigned campus. Job requires mature conversational skills and courtesy to exchange information and assistance of a more complex nature.

This job classification is distinguished from the Groundskeeper II in that incumbents are responsible for developing landscape maintenances plans for an assigned campus and function as a lead worker over assigned staff.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities (includes some or all of the following)

  1. Develops daily and monthly landscape maintenance plans for assigned campus.
  2. Directs the work of assigned Groundskeeper personnel, casual employees, and work-study students performing routine landscape maintenance. May participates in the hiring and training of staff that perform landscape maintenance work.
  3. Communicates with campus leadership regarding landscape maintenance projects; demonstrates sound decision making and problem solving in responding to work situations with minimal guidance and direction. Attends meetings as required to provide information on a variety of grounds related issues.
  4. Performs a full range of landscape maintenance duties including leaf removal, pruning shrubs and trees, spraying and fertilizing, lawn care and watering.
  5. Removes litter and empties trash cans.
  6. Assures roads, parking lots and walks are maintained for safe pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
  7. Performs daily routine maintenance and minor repairs to equipment, fencing and grounds features as needed.
  8. Constructs carpentry features and masonry structures for special landscape projects.
  9. Performs vector control including trapping and disposing of small animals and insects
  10. Provides full care for indoor plants.
  11. Removes ice and snow from walks, roads and lots, including the application of ice melter and road sand using snow plow and sanders.
  12. In the event of unscheduled closures due to weather events and/or other circumstances, is considered “essential personnel” for reopening the college.
  13. Selects and establishes new plants and plantings both in landscape and through greenhouse culture.
  14. Installs, repairs and uses manual and electronic watering systems to ensure adequate moisture for plantings.
  15. Works in a safe manner leaving work areas safe during and after work projects.
  16. Maintains appropriate records both manual and computerized which includes chemical logs and pesticides, material safety data sheets and various inventories.
  17. Cleans spills as needed, including body fluids.
  18. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily outdoors, on varying terrain (some potentially hazardous) in all types of extreme weather conditions and involves potential exposure to pesticides and maintenance related substance, blood borne pathogens, and diseased animals. Position involves recurring early and late hours with exposure to hazards, ventilation problems and noise extremes, high vehicular traffic and congested areas.  Travel between college locations using college-owned vehicle or personal vehicle may be required. Travel between college locations using college-owned vehicle or personal vehicle may be required.

Physical Requirements

Position requires shoveling of heavy materials and the use of equipment such as mowers, chain saws, pruners, snow and leaf blowers, sprayers, tractors and edgers. Strength and agility, and extended standing and heavy lifting are required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent; one year of formal training or education in landscaping/horticulture; three years of work experience in all aspects of landscaping including equipment operation such as riding mowers, tractors, and snow removal equipment. Work experience may substitute for formal training or education on a year-for-year basis.

Demonstrated experience directing and coordinating the work of others, basic computer and good record keeping skills.Must possess or be able to obtain a valid public pesticide apprentice license and forklift certification within nine monthsof employment.. Must be able to obtain certificates for first aid/CPR within six months of employment. Must be able to use a respirator when required.

Must have valid driver license to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Oregon and possess an acceptable driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations;
  • Safety and materials requirements and recordkeeping;
  • Departmental processes and policies;
  • Plant identification and control;
  • Heavy equipment operation and maintenance;
  • Use of pesticides;
  • Drainage and storm water management;
Skills in:
  • Explaining terms, concepts and technology in plain language;
  • Leading, training, and coordinating the work of others in a team environment;
  • Organizing and keeping records;
  • Operating a computer and various software packages.
Ability to:
  • Effectively communicate both in writing and verbally;
  • Work effectively with an ethnically and culturally diverse staff and student population.
  • Interact positively with staff and the public in order to enhance effectiveness and to promote quality service;
  • Work independently and prioritize multiple tasks and adapt to needed changes.

Reviewed: 12/18

  • Revised: 8/2017; 3/2017; 5/16
  • Replaces: 2/16