Irrigation Technician/Senior Groundskeeper (1546)

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About the Department/Unit

The success of the FM Grounds Team is powered by our experienced and knowledgeable Grounds staff. With partnerships within the landscape industry, we continue to grow and learn. Students, staff, and community collaboration is our team model, and our dedication to the success of the AU Arboretum. Our team culture ensures a rewarding and educational place to work. We champion diversity, equity and inclusion and are always seeking new and innovative ways to incorporate AU students, staff, and community within the landscape space and Arboretum activities. Success is celebrated and creativity, resourcefulness, quality craftmanship, customer services are core to who we are within the Grounds Facilities Management Team.

Summary/Objective

This Senior Groundskeeper position provides support to the Grounds and Recycling Department through serving as an Irrigation Technician for the purpose of enhancing overall campus beautification, and maintaining a safe, functional, clean, efficient, and attractive living and learning environment.

The nature of this Irrigation Technician's role within the organization is to schedule and perform irrigation maintenance and repairs, perform grounds maintenance, snow and ice removal, campus clean up, landscape installation, hardscape maintenance, and operate grounds equipment, to promote campus beauty and distinction among urban universities.

This position reports directly to the Grounds Operations Manager. This job requires self-direction and limited supervision.The incumbent may be asked to serve on various Grounds and PPO Committees.

Essential Functions

1. Weeds, cleans and mulches planting beds, applies agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, cultivates soil, plants, and prunes to ensure a neat clean bed appearance. Rakes and grades lawn areas in preparation of seeding or sodding.
2. Operates heavy trucks and all grounds equipment including power mowers, tractors, edgers, hedge trimmers, snow blower, snow plow, back pack blower, weed trimmers, etc. Services equipment with gas, oil, and water and performs minor equipment repairs.
3. Performs policing of assigned area for litter. Sweeps sidewalks, courtyards, and walkway using hand or power equipment.
4. Performs snow and ice removal and applies deicing materials. Available for weekend and overtime work as scheduled or needed for snow removal and other assigned work.
5. Performs athletic field maintenance and assists with leaf removal operations, landscape projects, and other assigned tasks as required.
6. Oversee the operation of AU's central irrigation control system (Rainbird Maxicom). Repairs broken sprinkler heads, valves, and related irrigation equipment. Performs minor repairs on sprinkler control devices, sets controller clocks, and provides skilled labor to complete sprinkler system preventive maintenance work requests. Applies water to plant material as needed to avoid drought conditions. Identifies and takes the necessary action to repair all water leaks, pipe breaks, and malfunctioning irrigation equipment. Perform start-ups and winterizations.

 

Supervisory Responsibility

• Reporting directly to this position are Groundskeepers who are temporarily assigned and temporary part time summer positions. Also, Groundskeepers who are temporarily assigned to watering during the summer months and temporary part time summer positions. Performs maintenance and repair of AU's campus-wide central irrigation control system.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full-Time
• Non-Exempt
• Specialist A

Salary Range

• $22.33 - $26.79/hour; to commensurate with experience.

Required Education and Experience