Senior Groundskeeper, Irrigation Technician

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Department:

Grounds & Vehicle Maintenance

Time Type:

Full time

Work Modality:

Full On Campus Presence

Union:

Excluded

Job Description:

Summary:

This Irrigation Technician/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.

This job requires self-direction and limited supervision.

This position reports directly to the Grounds Operations Manager. Reporting directly to this position are Groundskeepers who are temporarily assigned and temporary part-time summer positions.

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.

Essential Functions:

• 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.  

• Performs policing of assigned area for litter. Sweeps sidewalks, courtyards, and walkway using hand or power equipment.

• Operates heavy trucks and all Grounds equipment including power mowers, tractors, edgers, hedge trimmers, snow blower, snowplow, backpack blower, weed trimmers, etc. Services equipment with gas, oil, and water and performs minor equipment repairs.

• 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.

• Performs athletic field maintenance and assists with leaf removal operations, landscape projects, and other assigned tasks as required.

• 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. 

Competencies:

• Serving Customers.

• Supporting Coworkers.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Directly supervises 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:

• This is a 40 hour/week position.

• Must be available for weekend and overtime work as scheduled or needed for snow removal and other assigned work.

• Serves as an essential employee on the winter weather emergency team.

Salary Range:

• $24.04-$31.25 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• 3-5 years landscape/sports turf maintenance experience with 2-3 years of irrigation experience.

• Valid driver’s license, skill in the operation of heavy trucks and Grounds