Job Details

Temporary Grounds Maintenance Worker

Pooled Recruitment: By applying to this pool, applicants are not applying for a specific position. By applying, qualified applicants will be considered for Temporary Grounds Maintenance Worker appointments that may become available at Southern Oregon University on an as-needed, part-time, and limited-duration basis. The appointment varies in classification, salary, and length (not to exceed 1040 hours within a 12-month period), and provides varying levels of grounds maintenance support. Applications will be kept on file and qualified applicants contacted by the hiring department for an interview. Applicants may withdraw their application from the pool at any time. This pool may be refreshed annually and interested applicants must reapply for continued consideration. For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at ...@sou.edu or call 541-###-####.

Job Family Group: Support Staff - Hourly Division/Department: Finance & Administration/Facilities, Maintenance & Planning Compensation Range (if applicable): $16.19 - $18.92 per hour FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Appointment Basis: Temporary/Limited Duration Time Type: Part-time Benefits Eligible: No Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration: Non-renewable/Limited Duration This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: Yes This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities: Based on position Remote Work Type: On-campus Visa Sponsorship: This employer will not sponsor applicants for visas.

Position Description

Type of grounds maintenance position may vary. Intended position summaries are as follows:

Grounds Maintenance Worker 1 (GMW1): Responsible for performing a full array of general grounds maintenance activities in a team setting or independently, and may plan daily work assignments for self and assigned student worker(s).

• Minimum Qualifications (GMW1): Pesticide applicator's license may be required based on position duties; AND One year of experience as a groundskeeper; OR Two years experience in any occupation providing knowledge of horticulture and groundskeeping practices and procedures.
• Duties (GMW1): General - mows and edges lawns and fields with the use of push and riding lawnmowers, tractors, and power edgers; plants, transplants, fertilizes, and waters lawns, shrubs, bedding plants, ground cover, and trees with tools such as hoes, trowels, and shovels; cuts, trims, and prunes trees, shrubs, bedding plants, and ground cover with the use of hand or power tools; eradicates weeds using both manual and mechanical methods such as: pulling, tilling, or using line trimmers; prevents weeds by mulching; calibrates, mixes and applies pesticides and herbicides according to manufacturer's instructions; installs irrigation and sprinkler systems by digging trenches by hand or with a tractor, lays and connects pipes, valves, sprinklers and controls, fills in trenches, and flattens or grades roads with bulldozer or road grader. Area Maintenance - removes leaves, brush, and debris using rakes, blowers, vacuums, and shovels from building roofs, sewers, utility tunnels, streets, and sidewalks; removes trash and litter from lawns, parking lots, building entrances, and adjacent roadways and sidewalks under agency jurisdiction; empties trash cans as needed; transports litter, plant debris, and trash to dump or incinerator by truck; removes ice and snow from walkways, parking lots, and building entrances with use of plows, shovels, blowers, or salt; cleans drains, catch basins, and gutters; removes stains and spills from parking lots and walkways; fills potholes; repairs benches and signposts; assists in the maintenance of athletic fields and facilities. Equipment Maintenance - troubleshoots and performs minor repairs on tools and equipment such as lawnmowers, chain saws, and blowers; refers major repairs to repair person; performs minor maintenance on grounds vehicles and power equipment by checking fluid levels, lubricating and cleaning after use; repairs and tests irrigation and sprinkler systems as needed; performs periodic cleaning of tool and shop areas. Miscellaneous - assists other departments as needed for special events or emergency situations.

Grounds Maintenance Worker 2 (GMW2): Responsible for planning and coordinating the work of classified staff in the completion of assignments, applies expertise in a horticultural specialty that is utilized campus-wide, and provides landscape/maintenance program planning.

• Minimum Qualifications (GMW2): Pesticide applicator's license may be required based on position duties; AND Two years experience as a grounds keeper which included plant care; OR An Associate's degree in Landscape Technology or Horticulture; OR Completion of a Landscape Certification program or license in a horticultural specialty.
• Duties (GMW2): Employee oversight - Assigns work to other employees; assists supervisor by planning, assigning, and inspecting the work of classified staff in the unit, adjusts work assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels and responds to fluctuating workloads; monitors employee performance and provides input to supervisor; assesses training needs of staff and assists supervisor in providing appropriate instruction; assists in providing initial orientation to new employees. Plans, coordinates, directs, and trains the work of a grounds maintenance crew which may consist of lower-level grounds maintenance worker(s), laborers, students, and/or temporary employees. Landscape Maintenance - Plan Design. Plan, design, and install a landscape maintenance program. Typical tasks: designs, installs, and maintains irrigation and sprinkler systems which includes preparing the plans, specifications and materials lists, ordering parts and equipment, and ensuring the installation is done according to specifications; performs on-site inspections of work areas to determine landscaping needs and evaluates the quality of the work being done; takes and tests soil samples to determine the need for chemical additives or natural nutrients; identifies and diagnoses plant and lawn diseases and administers or directs the administration of the remedy; identifies specific areas appropriate to specific plant types and recommends planting and landscaping strategy to supervisor; reviews and interprets site plans and architectural drawings to determine planting or landscaping needs; reviews work plan with supervisor to set priorities and monitor goals. Specialty Assignment - Applies specialized skills in specific landscaping areas on a campus-wide basis, such as tree trimming, pesticide applications, or irrigation planning. Provides instruction to and inspects work done by others in the specialty assignment.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to adapt to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization.
• Working knowledge, or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies and procedures.

Physical Demands

• Pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching; lifting and carrying 35+ lbs., climbing; planting, pruning. Using mowers, rakes, shovels, aerators, plows, blowers, and heavy trucks. Exposure to chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides), insects, and fumes. Works in a variety of weather conditions.

Special Conditions

• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
• Under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), this position classification is defined as non-exempt and is subject to overtime regulations.
• The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services.

SOU is an equal access AA/EOE committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Southern Oregon University will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on this application. If, however, you require a reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability, requests must be made in a timely manner to Human Resources.

Diversity Statement