GROUNDSKEEPER GENERAL/MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN [Grounds (Groundskeeper Maintenance) pay level / Grounds and Maintenance Crafts]

Qualifications:

Education and Experience: High school graduate or equivalent with training in grounds keeping and three years of experience in landscape maintenance. In addition, experience in commercial building maintenance preferred.

Allowable Substitution: Alternative combinations of advanced training and experience will be evaluated by administration for comparability.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: ● Knowledge of plant propagation and pruning ● Knowledge of landscape design ● Knowledge of seed, fertilizers, , and irrigation systems ​ ​ ● Knowledge of turf management techniques ● Knowledge of insects and plant diseases ● Skill in using grounds maintenance and equipment ● Skill in determining appropriate vegetation for specific area needs ● Ability to set priorities ● Ability to work independently with minimal supervision ● Ability to properly handle toxic chemicals ● Ability to troubleshoot drainage problems ● Ability to make accurate arithmetic calculation ● Ability to repair grounds equipment and tools ● Ability to maintain an inventory of supplies and materials ● Ability to plan and document grounds projects ● Ability to evaluate effectiveness of vendor supplies and materials ● Ability to install playground and sports equipment ● Ability to follow safety procedures ● Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff and vendors ● Ability to lift 50 pounds ● Ability to use basic computer programs (Google, SchoolDude, etc.) ● Ability to assist maintenance staff with projects and preventative maintenance ● General knowledge of buildings, trades and maintenance ● Effective oral and written communication skills ● Ability to follow district policies and procedures ● Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff and provide excellent customer service

Licenses/Special Requirements: Valid Washington State driver's license. Current Washington State certified applicator's license. (Or be able to obtain by end of probation period.) May be required to become a certified asbestos worker.

Personnel Relationships: Reports to Facilities Director.

Working Conditions: Required to stand for prolonged periods; required to lift and carry heavy supplies and/or equipment; required to wear protective clothing; periodically exposed to high noise levels; required to work outdoors in inclement weather. Work with moving equipment and equipment with sharp cutting edges and with chemicals requiring safety awareness. Requires travel between work sites, driving district vehicles and working at heights.

General Functions: This position works as a team to maintain the district's grounds and athletic fields from February 1- October 31. Responsibilities include landscaping, pruning, planting, applying fertilizers, controlling weed growth, mowing lawns, installing and maintaining playground equipment, and repairing grounds tools and equipment. From November 1 - January 31, this position teams with maintenance staff to fulfil the work of a general maintenance technician.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: Depending upon individual assignment, the groundskeeper/general maintenance technician may perform all or a combination of several of the following duties:

1. Maintains the district's sports facilities; levels, top dresses, seeds, and waters fields; reseeds fields and applies sand as needed. Performs a variety of installation and maintenance duties for sports facilities, such as designing shot-put area, installing and maintaining batting cage nets, fencing areas, installing bleachers, and preparing athletic fields for school sports activity.

2. Prepares district property for planting; plans location of plants, shrubbery, and grass. Determines amount of dirt, bark, and plants needed for projects and type of equipment needed for preparation and cleanup. Makes recommendations to supervisor for final approval.

3. Applies grass seed; installs plant material; spreads bark; removes debris. Waters newly planted areas; monitors new growth.

4. Mows and trims lawns; controls weeds. Applies over-seeding to grass areas as necessary. Maintains bark, adds new bark and completes grooming. Plans schedule for grounds work; re-prioritizes planned work as necessary due to school activities or weather conditions.

5. Inspects, repairs, and maintains playground equipment; replaces nuts and bolts; installs new equipment as needed. Installs benches and concrete sidewalks. Fabricates and installs signs for school grounds. Paints playgrounds.

6. Applies pesticides and fertilizers to lawns and plants in accordance with Integrated Pest Management policy and procedures. Ensures that the spraying of chemicals is completed in a safe manner.

7. Drainage systems: cleans out drainage system catch basins and piping, checks for debris, maintains drainage system drawings.

8. Uses a variety of grounds maintenance tools and equipment; operates backpack and hand blowers, weed trimmers, ​ ​ , rototiller, sod cutter, chain saw, truck, , and loader. Keeps tools and equipment in proper working condition.

9. Removes snow and ice during winter months; ensures that irrigation systems are properly prepared for cold ​ ​ weather.

10. Repairs and maintains grounds tools and equipment; fabricates materials as needed; performs repairs to small engines, sharpens mower blades. Uses welding equipment to join metal surfaces.

11. Maintains parking lot areas; seals holes with asphalt; removes obstructions, removes and installs parking bumpers, paints striping in parking lots.

12. Receives general priorities for grounds work; sets specific priorities and schedules jobs for execution. Communicates with district staff concerning project planning; determines whether project can be completed in-district or should be contracted out. Provides input for evaluating contractor bids and quotes.

13. Orders parts and supplies for grounds department; meets with and/or contacts vendors to discuss available supplies and equipment; evaluates vendor products and recommends purchases.

14. Maintains a variety of written records concerning grounds activities; prepares reports for supervisor and other administrative staff as requested.

15. Transports materials to work sites.

16. May assist other maintenance staff in picking up and delivering equipment and materials.

17. May oversee work of and/or train temporary grounds staff; demonstrates proper use of tools and equipment; assigns and reviews work.

18. Maintains pesticide application records.

19. Develops and maintains site sketches for pesticide application records and proposed landscape designs.

20. Maintains irrigations systems; ensures proper operation, makes adjustments to irrigations coverage, adjusts timers/clocks, and makes repairs to piping and sprinkler heads. Winterizes irrigation systems for cold weather months.

21. Maintains fencing throughout the school district, meets with and/or contacts vendors to install or repair or provide new fence if needed.

22. Responds to work orders requesting repairs.

23. Performs preventative maintenance, replaces belts and filter; repairs motors; troubleshoots malfunctions and performs repairs; recommends replacement of items as needed.

24. Assists other maintenance staff in maintenance projects as directed by supervisor.

25. Performs a variety of related duties as assigned.

LEAD GROUNDSKEEPER Qualifications:

Education and Experience: Associate’s degree or higher or equivalent with training in groundskeeping and five years of experience in grounds maintenance landscaping and installation, including experience in a lead capacity. Ability to obtain State certification for the application of herbicides and insecticides within 6 months of hire. (Class D, E, OW, S, and OS).

Allowable Substitution: Alternative combinations of advanced training and experience will be evaluated by the administration for comparability.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: ● Knowledge of plant propagation and pruning ● Knowledge of landscape and irrigation design ● Knowledge of IPM current practices and techniques ● Knowledge of seed, fertilizers, chemicals, and irrigation equipment ● Knowledge of turf management techniques ● Knowledge of insects and plant diseases ● Demonstrated proficiency in operating a large truck and backhoe, after training ● Skill in using grounds maintenance tools and equipment ● Skill in determining appropriate vegetation for specific area needs ● Ability to set priorities ● Ability to work independently with minimal supervision ● Ability to properly handle toxic chemicals ● Ability to troubleshoot drainage problems ● Ability to make accurate arithmetic calculation ● Ability to repair grounds equipment and tools ● Ability to maintain an inventory of supplies and materials ● Ability to plan and document grounds projects ● Ability to evaluate effectiveness of vendor supplies and materials ● Ability to install playground and sports equipment ● Trained in playground equipment inspection ● Ability to follow safety procedures ● Ability to train personnel in the use of IPM practices, pruning, and other related landscape maintenance subjects ● Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff and vendors ● Effective oral and written communication skills ● Demonstrated ability to lead and direct personnel with minimal supervision, to work cooperatively with students, ​ ​ staff, parents, and general public ● Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp new techniques, deal with rapid changes in events, remain calm in stressful situations, and relate to various personality styles in a calm, professional manner ● Strong public relations, communication and organization skills ● Computer skills in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, electronic mail ● Horticultural background desired ● Demonstrated customer service ● Ability to follow district policies and procedures ● Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff and provide excellent customer service

Licenses/Special Requirements: Valid Washington State driver's license. Current Washington State certified pesticide applicator's license. (Class D, E, OW, S, and OS)

Personnel Relationships: Reports to Facilities Director. Supervises and assigns work for grounds crew.

Working Conditions: Required to stand for prolonged periods; required to lift and carry heavy supplies and/or equipment; required to wear protective clothing; periodically exposed to high noise levels; required to work outdoors in inclement weather. Work with equipment having sharp cutting edges and with chemicals requiring safety awareness. Requires travel between work sites.

General Functions: This position maintains the district's grounds and athletic fields. Responsibilities include landscaping, pruning, planting, applying fertilizers, controlling weed growth, mowing lawns, installing and maintaining playground equipment, and repairing grounds tools and equipment. Assigning and supervising work of the grounds maintenance crew. This position will help develop and implement a program to build understanding and the successful adoption of IPM practices in the Oak Harbor School District.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: Depending upon individual assignment, the groundskeeper may perform all or a combination of several of the following duties: 1. Plans grounds maintenance and landscape improvement projects; determines labor, materials, and equipment budgets. Schedules and assigns work to grounds crew or seasonal grounds employees; reviews completed work. Ensures that needed equipment and supplies are delivered to appropriate sites.

2. Maintains the district's sports facilities; levels, top dresses, seeds, and waters fields; reseeds fields and applies sand as needed. Levels dips and holes; seals cracks in tennis court surfaces. Maintains running tracks; adds striping. Performs a variety of installation and maintenance duties for sports facilities, such as designing shot-put area, installing and maintaining batting cage nets, fencing areas, installing bleachers, and preparing baseball infield areas.

3. Develops planting schemes and prepares district property for planting. Determines amount of soil, mulch, and amount and type of plants needed for projects; ensures appropriate equipment is available for preparation and cleanup.

4. Applies grass seed; installs plant material, including shrubs and trees; spreads mulch; removes debris. Cares for newly planted areas; monitors new growth.

5. Mows and trims lawns in assigned areas; controls weeds. Applies overseeding to grass areas as necessary. Maintains mulch, adds new mulch and maintains landscapes within established standards.

6. Maintains playground equipment; replaces nuts and bolts; installs new equipment as needed. Installs benches and concrete sidewalks. Fabricates and installs signs for school grounds.

7. Applies pesticides and fertilizers to lawns and plants as necessary to meet established standards. Ensures that the spraying of chemicals, complies with existing laws, and is completed according to IPM policy.

8. Checks drainage systems; cleans out catch basins and piping.

9. Uses a variety of grounds maintenance tools and equipment; operates blowers, weed trimmers, edger, rototiller, sod cutter, chain saw, truck, tractor, and loader. Keeps tools and equipment in proper working condition.

10. Removes snow and ice during winter months; ensures that water systems are properly prepared for cold weather.

11. Repairs and maintains grounds tools and equipment; fabricates materials as needed; performs repairs to small engines. Uses welding equipment to join metal surfaces.

12. Maintains parking lot areas; seals holes with asphalt; removes obstructions.

13. Receives general priorities for grounds work; sets specific priorities and schedules jobs for execution. Communicates with district staff concerning project planning; determines whether project can be completed in-district or should be contracted out. Provides input for evaluating contractor bids and quotes and also may provide input and oversight of contractors.

14. Orders parts and supplies for grounds department; meets with vendors to discuss available supplies and equipment; evaluates vendor products and recommends purchases.

15. Maintains a variety of written records concerning grounds activities; prepares reports for supervisor and other administrative staff as requested.

16. Transports materials to work sites; may assist other maintenance staff in picking up and delivering equipment and materials.

17. Oversees work of temporary grounds staff; demonstrates proper use of tools and equipment; assigns and reviews work.

18. Plans schedule for grounds work; re-prioritizes planned work as necessary due to school activities.

19. Supervises grounds crew; provides training and assistance; provides input to performance evaluations.

20. Other duties as assigned.

GROUNDSKEEPER – SEASONAL

Qualifications:

Education and Experience: High school graduate or equivalent with training in groundskeeping and one year of experience or training involving care and maintenance of grounds.

Allowable Substitution: Alternative combinations of training and experience will be evaluated by Human Resources for comparability.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: ● Physical ability to perform heavy outside work in all types of weather ● Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license may be required ● Possession of physical stamina and strength for the job ● Good organizational and planning skills ● Ability to work independently with minimal supervision ● Ability to follow safety procedures ● Ability to work cooperatively with others ● Effective oral and written communication skills ● Ability to follow district policies and procedures ● Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff and provide excellent customer service

Personnel Relationships: Reports to Maintenance Director

Working Conditions: Required to stand for prolonged periods; required to lift and carry heavy supplies and/or equipment; required to wear protective clothing; periodically exposed to high noise levels; required to work outdoors in inclement weather. Work with equipment having sharp cutting edges. May require travel between work sites.

General Functions: This seasonal position performs skilled grounds work in the development and care of grounds; operates grounds equipment and performs skilled grounds maintenance under minimum supervision. Positions in this class are distinguished by the responsibility to work independently and to perform specialized grounds duties requiring the skill and knowledge of cultivation and maintenance of trees, lawns, and ornamental plants.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Prepare ground for lawn, plants, trees

2. Seed, mow, fertilize and maintain lawns

3. Repair irrigation

4. leaves; pull, hoe and cut weeds; prune trees and shrubs

5. Remove debris from walks and roads

6. Use a variety of hand implements and tools

7. Operate power equipment such as light , trucks, lawnmowers, sweepers, blowers, and trimmers

8. Maintain athletic fields

9. Perform work in other trades as requested by Maintenance Director or Director of Operations

10. Adjust hours to accommodate working conditions on request of Maintenance Director

11. Performs related duties as assigned

LIGHT DUTY GROUNDSKEEPER HELPER

Qualifications: This light duty job description is created in an effort to allow employees on L&I status the ability to return to work in a position other than their own if cleared by their health care provider and until released to return to work in their regular position by their health care provider. This position may be filled by any PSE employee regardless of craft should they meet the light duty criteria above.

Education and Experience: High school graduation or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: ● Ability to stand or walk for prolonged periods of time ● Ability to walk from parking lot to building, building out to grounds and around grounds looking for litter. ● Ability to lift up to five pounds (using gripper, lifts litter into disposal bag, litter bag can be disposed of at five pounds or less) ● Ability to handle repetitive motion (using gripper to place litter in disposal bag, can be done using one arm) ● Ability to grasp consistently (using light wash equipment, can be done using one arm) ● Ability to reach normal range (job can be done using one hand, no above shoulder reaching or below knee work reaching required) ● Ability to follow district policies and procedures ● Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff and provide excellent customer service

Licenses/Special Requirements: None

Personnel Relationships: Receives work assignments from the Executive Director of Human Resources or his designee.

Working Conditions: General grounds maintenance at assigned school grounds, mainly picking up and removing litter.

General Functions: Using an extended hand (gripper), employee picks up litter and places in disposal bag. Once the gripper is engaged (gripped), it extends down to the ground, limiting the amount of bending required. Gripper weighs 1 to 1 ½ pounds. The disposal bag can be placed on the ground or worn on the body and emptied at any point in time. Work can be done using one arm.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Picking up litter

2. Disposing litter

3. Other duties as assigned