Grounds & Utility Specialist
Description
full-time Grounds & Utility Specialist position. This position reports to the Facilities Director.
This position works under general supervision to perform skilled landscaping and maintenance work of grounds, landscapes, roadways, walkways, and parking lots of facilities. It also supports campus operations by moving furniture and fixtures related to office space, classrooms, labs, and event spaces, including minor repair and upkeep of finishes throughout campus. All work includes operating, monitoring, repairing and cleaning of manual, power, and motorized tools and equipment. The position will direct work of others in the Grounds unit.
This position is also responsible to serve a key role in the College emergency and management response efforts. Position provides a critical role of being, and providing a "presence", either individually or with additional Facilities team members, as needed for safety issues during campus operations.
Position Duties & Responsibilities
Note: the examples of work are not necessarily descriptive of all work for this position.
- At a skilled work level will clean, monitor, maintain, repair, replace, install, modify, construct, and/or fabricate lawns, fields, landscape beds, trees, shrubs, plants and various other grounds, landscapes and vegetation; stormwater related infrustructure;
- Operate, clean, service, adjust, and make repairs on power equipment such as weed trimmers, chain saws, backpack blowers, rototillers, lawn tractors, lawn mowers, sweepers, aerators, sod cutters, trenchers, snow removal equipment, and occasionally on motorized vehicles;
- Perform semi-skilled maintenance and construction work on buildings, interior walls, interior floors, fixtures, equipment, grounds, walks, and driveways; such as patching and painting interior walls; removing and replacing flooring; repairing storm drains, irrigation systems, parking lots, and sidewalks;
- Direct work of other Grounds team members including student and temporary workers; May train students/helpers in basic skills related to grounds and landscape maintenance;
- Maintain communications with Facilities personnel and campus community through cell phones, portable radios, telephones, e-mail, computerized work orders, and log books;
- Support campus operations and events through loading and unloading trucks; assembling, moving, and installing furniture, fixtures, equipment, supplies and materials;
- Coordinate and perform recycling duties for the campus;
- Remove debris, leaves, brush, snow, and ice from areas such as walks, stairs, roofs, gutters, roads, ramps and parking facilities; apply ice melting compound, sand, and gravel as needed;
- Install and maintain campus signs, fences, rockeries, and other grounds improvements;
- Work with hand tools to dig ditches, trenches, other excavations, and remove debris;
- Collect and stage hazardous wastes for removal from site;
- Read, interpret, and follow equipment manuals, schematics, and construction drawings for the repair and maintenance of equipment, grounds, and facilities;
- Open buildings and disarm alarms for campus operations as needed;
- Perform related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below represent the characteristics and performance essential expectations of the position. Applicants do not necessarily need to enter the position with all of this knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of cultivation and maintenance techniques and methods associated with a large and varied campus grounds;
- Knowledge of positive leadership and delegation;
- Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local, and campus laws, rules, and regulations to establish and maintain a safe work environment;
- Knowledge of Stormwater Management regulations and Best Management Practices.
Skills:
- Collaboration and effective team work with a customer service focus;
- Basic computer skills in software such as: MS Outlook (email); web browsers (internet research); TLR (time & leave reporting system); DirectLine Megamation (work order management); 25Live and other campus scheduling applications; Lenel (door access); Siemens EMS (exterior light controls);
- Positive leadership and wide range of communication and interpersonal skills associated with coworkers, supervisor, management, campus community, and the general public;
- Skill to exercise ethics, integrity, and sound professional judgment;
- Consistent time management and prioritization of multiple demands at same time.
Abilities:
- Ability to effectively communicate in English through written, oral, and auditory means, as well as understand and interpret Chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS);
- Ability and commitment to work in a diverse workplace and relate with people of different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds;
- Ability to work independently and under minimal supervision, as well as work as a member of a team;
- Ability to deal effectively with problems, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions;
- Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with students, colleagues, staff, administrators and other public contacts;
- Ability to take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieve results with little oversight;
- Ability to complete detailed work;
- Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- One year of experience or training involving plant care, cultivation and landscape installation AND two years of experience or comparable education/training involving grounds and utility maintenance work;
- Physical ability to do required work;
- Current, valid, unrestricted driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Minimum High School graduate or GED;
- Vocational or technical training in grounds maintenance, plant care, landscape construction, and repair of equipment;
- At least two (2) years of experience in a related position involving staff direction;
- At least three (3) years of experience in a grounds keeping position.
Physical and Environmental Work Conditions:
Shifts on feet for 100% of time; Repeated pushing, pulling and lifting up to 50 or more pounds; Walking, bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and squatting; Reaching below knees, knees to shoulders, above shoulder; Moving freely from one floor to the next using stairs and from one building to another over uneven surfaces; Work in confined spaces; Work from step and extension ladders; Frequent need for oral, auditory, and written communications; Exposure to noise, electricity, power tools, machinery; Must be able to have the physical ability to deal with environmental stresses, emergency situations, deadlines, a variety of duties and working alone; Willingness to work in adverse conditions such as rain, fog, ice, snow, wind, extreme ambient temperatures; Wear safety equipment which includes chemical protection goggles, safety glasses, face shields, dust masks, ear plugs, ear muffs, hard hats, back support belt/brace, wrist supports, elbow supports, knee pads, gloves, protective clothing, rain gear and protective foot wear; Wear the college cell phone while on duty and ensure that the phone is charged and operational; Ensure that work is done in an efficient and safe manner; Exposure to gasses, airborne contaminants, hazardous materials and waste, and blood borne pathogens; Work with strong chemicals, paints and cleaning agents; Operate vehicle, tools and power equipment (i.e. snow plows, forklift, chain saw, etc.).
Supplemental Information
Compensation and Work Schedule:
Salary is in accordance with the negotiated agreement with Teamsters, starts at $2,889 per month, $16.60 per hour, with annual increments thereafter up to $3,622 per month after five or more years of BTC experience in the position. Position also receives sick, personal and vacation leave accruals, paid state holidays, and a generous Washington State insurance and retirement benefits package.
Work schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and includes two 15 minute paid breaks and one half hour unpaid lunch period. Alternate shifts, including possible Saturday, Sunday, holiday, and evening or graveyard, may be required to provide for coverage of college events, projects, or inclement weather.
Examination Requirements:
All Teamsters positions are filled in accordance with Article X of the current negotiated working agreement and with College hiring procedures. All Finalists will have a practical exam as part of the interview process.
Condition of Employment:
Background Check: Finalist(s) will be subject to a pre-employment background check and employment is contingent on passing a criminal history background check satisfactory to the college.
Bargaining Unit:
The position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the General Teamsters Local 231.
Interviews are tentatively scheduled to be held between July 23 - August 7, 2019.