Lead Groundskeeper

Compensation

$34,058.00 Annual

Job Description Summary

The application deadline for this position is 11:59PM EST on September 18, 2024.

Santa Fe College’s Facilities Services supports the college’s mission by creating environments that sustain the needs of the college community. The department maintains and enhances college facilities, grounds and infrastructure in a safe and responsible manner. SF’s values reside directly in the department’s dedication to quality service for students, employees, and the community.

The Lead Groundskeeper leads assigned staff and supports the Grounds Supervisor in daily activities related to college grounds and landscaping maintenance. This position supports operational needs and activities through the scheduling of work items and completion of work orders as well as coordinating with outside contractors. The Lead Groundkeeper performs a wide variety of grounds maintenance duties including landscaping, irrigation, heavy equipment operation, indoor and outdoor spraying, tree trimming, grounds equipment maintenance, and mechanic work in order to provide a clean and safe environment in and around campus facilities. While not supervisory in nature, this position is the lead and will give direction in all groundskeeping duties.

Job Description

Responsibilities and duties include:

• Serves as the lead in the planting, cultivating, transplanting, and care of plants, shrubs, hedges, trees, flowers, and lawns, and other grounds maintenance tasks.
• Assists the Grounds Supervisor in staff training as well as prioritizing workloads and schedules and inspecting completed work.
• Inspects grounds for needed maintenance care and determines the need for spraying, fertilizing, pruning, and new planting.
• Assists in leading an effective pest and weed control program; helps train staff in proper application and handling of pest control chemicals and assures that proper practices are followed.
• Maintains and repairs irrigation systems and installations and works with contractors as needed.
• Ensures safe and proper operation and maintenance of grounds tools and equipment by promoting and requiring adherence to all recognized safety practices and standards. 
• Inspects and maintains grounds equipment for conformance to safety standards, diagnoses mechanical problems for related equipment, and performs and/or oversees repairs.
• Practices personal safety and vigilance in the identification of safety or security hazards to actively support and enforces a safe and hazard free working environment.
• Operates equipment pertinent to completion of all grounds and landscape tasks including, but not limited to, mowers, weed eaters, blowers, tractors, chain saws, and hand tools, and operates larger equipment related to grounds keeping.
• May work from aerial lift and elevated platforms up to 65 feet.
• Works safely and effectively around the public.
• Acts as the lead in carrying out department duties in the absence of the supervisor.
• May help with set-ups for college-related functions.
• Assists other trades as needed.
• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.
• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: High school diploma or equivalent with two (2) years of related work experience and/or a combination of education and experience equal to two (2) years. Must obtain a Department of Environmental Protection applicator license for indoor/outdoor pest control within 6 months of employment.

Additional Requirements: Applicants must have a valid Florida Class E Operator (driver's) license and be authorized to drive for the college.

Preferred: Associate degree or higher in a landscape related field, as well as experience maintaining large commercial/campus grounds with prior supervisory experience preferred.

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• Team Orientation & Interpersonal – highly motivated team player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.
• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets. 
• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.