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, pesticides, and irrigation systems ​ ​ ● Knowledge of turf management techniques ● Knowledge of insects and plant diseases ● 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 ● 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 pesticide 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, ​ ​ edger, rototiller, sod cutter, chain saw, truck, tractor, 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,