ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

Groundskeeper – Auxiliary Facility Services

SUMMARY: A Groundskeeper at Colorado Mesa University provides for well-maintained campus grounds through the performance of grounds care duties, as established in the grounds care program. This includes pruning, trimming, fertilizing, mowing, irrigation, pest control, snow removal, litter policing and removal, hardsurface maintenance, athletic court & field maintenace, site amenity repair, record keeping and other related duties to ensure a functional, safe and attractive campus, consistent with the educational role and mission of Colorado Mesa University.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

Performs semi-skilled and skilled grounds / landscape maintence, including:

· Operates and maintains a variety of manual and power hand tools; including, but not limited to, walk behind mowers, edgers, line trimmers, riding mowers, pressure washers, utility vehicles, tractors & front end loaders equipped with various mechanical and towed implements

· Performs repairs, maintenance and installation on all irrigation sprinkler heads, lines, valves, wiring. Able to trouble shoot irrigation pumps / irrigation control systems to the point of station wires, valve solenoids power to controller, 2-wire irrigation and decoders. Trouble- shoots low voltage valve wires. Systems include multi-wire and two-wire valve control systems.

· Schedules and programs irrigation watering based on water use calculator, campus activities, and visual observations and adjusts schedules to allow for special events and conditions. Sets schedules on various types of irrigation controllers.

· Maintains campus turf, including mowing, edging, fertilizing, aerating, top-dressing, fertilizing and pesticide applications.

· Visually inspects trees, shrubs and turf areas for disease and insect pests. Safely applies fertilizers and pesticides to landscape plants. Keeps proper records applicable to EPA pesticide standards.

· Mows, rakes, plants and transplants trees, shrubs, sod, etc. Prunes trees, shrubs, and various types of flowers.

· Maintains and cleans outdoor fountains

· Maintains and repairs synthetic turf

· Removes trash and debris from sidewalks, streets and other campus grounds on a daily basis

· Pressure washes pavement and walls; vacuums leaves and debris from paved and landscaped areas

· Enters time and material information in Facilities’ maintenance management system. Enters and checks campus events in a shared email based calendar

· Lines and maintains athletic fields in cooperation with athletic director and coaches

· Removes snow and ice from sidewalks and grounds by hand, and/or by using walk behind equipment and riding brooms and blades

· Directs student employees. Decides how best to utilize the skills of student, temporary, and sheriff’s work crew workers and place them according to their abilities. Checks on completion of assigned tasks performed by student help.

· Provides input to supervisor on the timing and applications of pesticides, equipment issues/repairs, irrigation problems, and all site conditions

· Installs flagstone and other decorative rocks and boulders

· Helps set-up and assists with public events

· Maintains interior plants, as assigned

· Other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily within a service driven environment comprised of many different components. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

· High School diploma or GED equivalent

· at least one year of outdoor work experience in grounds, park or golf course maintenance

· demonstrated ability with turf care, automatic irrigation system repair and maintenance, tree pruning, flower and shrub care, and mowing

· ability to operate a wide range of equipment (manual, automatic, and hydraulic drives). Equipment includes, but not limited to: small pickup trucks, ¾ and 1 ton trucks and trucks with trailers, tractors and attachments such as front end loader, top-dresser and various aerifyers, cold and hot-water pressure washers, ladders, utility vehicles, truck and tractor-mounted snow plows, chain saws, riding and walk- behind mowers, line trimmers, blowers, power augers (hand & tractor mount), scissor, and hydraulic lifts to highs in excess of 50 feet above the ground, and operate synthetic turf groomers

· demonstrated competency using an irrigation controller’s multiple programs & features, including water budget

· basic computer skills and experience using Microsoft Word and Excel or similar software

· possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license

· Must be willing and able to work a rotating shift assignment and/or overtime as needed. This position will work Saturdays for most of the year after completing initial training.

PREFERRED:

· supervisory skills and experience

· advanced knowledge or certifications such as Certified Landscape Technician, Certified Arborist, Certified Backflow Tester, Certified Pesticide Applicator

· an associate’s degree in applied horticulture or related field

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, bicycle, drive, operate machinery, kneel, sit, talk, and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally move up to 125 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Employee may occasionally need to work on tall ladders or a boom lift.

Post-offer employment testing is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; dry and/or dusty; extreme heat and cold temperatures moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally high. The employee may occasionally be exposed to high levels of vibration.

Position is subject to call out for snow removal and irrigation breaks. Occasional night and early morning work may be required.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time administrative appointment. Saturday shift will start mid-August.

SALARY: Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled. To ensure consideration, complete applications must be received by June 9, 2017.

APPLICATION: Submit a cover letter describing qualifications and experience as they relate to the specific requirements, responsibilities, and preferences of this position, current resume, a copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (official transcripts required upon hire), the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional references whom we may contact, with at least one who is a current or previous supervisor, and the following completed forms:

· Applicant Authorization to permit Search Committee members to review candidate transcript

· Applicant Disclosure Form

· Applicant Background Check Authorization Form

· Voluntary Affirmative Action form

Mail to:

Groundskeeper Search Committee

Human Resources, LHH 237

Colorado Mesa University

1100 North Avenue

Grand Junction, Colorado 81501-3122

Phone: (970) 248-1820

OR Email to: .

If using this method of application, please put the search name in the subject line to ensure that your materials are forwarded to the appropriate search file. Electronic application materials must be submitted as a .pdf or Word document (no size limit). Electronic materials submitted in any other format will not be accepted. Please do not copy and paste into the body of your email; send as attachments.

Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Pos#127 Search #1864