JOB TITLE: GROUNDS WORKER III
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE DIVISION
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under regular supervision, performs semi-skilled and unskilled work in the maintenance of landscape grounds at City owned buildings, parks and landscapes on their respected assigned maintenance route. Mows, edges, trims, blows off curb lines and City owned parking lots. Details flowers and shrubbery as necessary. Serves as crew leader for seasonal workers. Always ensures safety practices are followed. Reports to the Irrigation Technician Foreman.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this position title. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
Performs general grounds keeping work as assigned, including but not limited to installing landscape materials, mowing grass, removing weeds, pruning trees and shrubbery, edging, blowing / removing debris, spreading mulch, applying herbicides and pesticides, etc.
Serves as crew leader for Grounds worker II’s.
Ensures that grass is cut in straight lines and alternating cutting pattern.
Ensures Grounds Worker II and seasonal workers perform tasks of edging, line trimming, and blowing off curb lines correctly.
Keeps the mulched shrub beds, tree rings, and annual color beds free and clear of weeds.
Sprays herbicide for weed control in side walk cracks, parking lot curb and gutter joints, beds, and natural areas.
Dead heads annual color plants to ensure continuous blooms through the season in all flower beds.
Prunes shrubbery to keep a neat and tidy appearance.
Prunes trees for safety purposes near sidewalks and parking lots using cutting poles and chain saws.
Maintains trees that are prone to sucker from the base of the tree, sucker free.
Top dresses low areas in the turf with sand to prevent scalping when mowing.
Makes small irrigation repairs such as replacing broken sprinkler heads.
Maintains equipment assigned for specific routes daily: checks blades and sharpens, grease fittings, checks fluids and cleans.
Ensures that all job sites are free and clear of litter.
Performs all work in compliance with plans, specifications, codes, regulations, and standards of quality and safety.
Receives and responds to public inquiries and requests for assistance in areas of responsibility.
Refers to policy and procedure manuals, equipment manuals, safety manual, maps, etc.
Operates equipment which includes edger’s, line trimmers, Exmark Lazer Z mower, walker mowers, chain saws, etc.
Uses items which may include safety gear and equipment, back pack sprayer, wrenches, pole saws, hand pruners, hedge shears, etc. Uses supplies such as herbicides, oils, fluids, chemicals, etc.
Attends training, meetings, etc., as necessary to enhance job knowledge and skills.
ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS
It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.
ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Assists other department crews with assignments as needed.
Cleans up storm debris, spills on roadways, etc.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent supplemented by six to nine months of experience in landscape maintenance or related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must possess valid state driver’s license.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED
TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Physical Requirements: Tasks involve the regular and at times sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (up to 50 pounds) and occasionally heavier weight (up to 100 pounds).
Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor.
Language Ability: Requires ability to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, work orders, technical manuals, technical drawings, etc. Requires the ability to prepare records, forms, etc., with proper format. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.
Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations. Requires the ability to learn and understand principles and techniques; to make routine independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to follow verbal and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with co-workers and the general public.
Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion.
Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.
Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using specialized machinery; to operate vehicles and heavy equipment.
Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, tools, etc. Must have significant levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a significant degree.
Physical Communications: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Knowledge of Job: Has knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the Public Services Department, Property Maintenance Division, as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Grounds Worker III. Has the ability to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures and related information. Has knowledge of groundskeeping methods, tools and equipment; has skill in landscape installation and maintenance work. Has knowledge of and skill in irrigation system installation and maintenance system components. Has knowledge of the machinery, materials and supplies required for daily maintenance of City’s landscapes. Is able to operate assigned equipment with safety. Has knowledge of applicable occupational hazards and safety precautions. Is able to work effectively despite occasional exposure to heat / cold, odors, toxic agents / hazardous materials, noise, wetness, humidity, machinery hazards, traffic hazards, dusts, vibrations, etc. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Has the ability to offer assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. Is able to read and interpret technical materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Is able to prepare records and reports with accuracy and in a timely manner. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals, seasonal workers and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Has knowledge of basic mathematics. Knows how to maintain a good image for the City.
Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with internal and external entities with whom the position interacts.
Quantity of Work: Performs described Essential Functions and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce quantity of work which consistently meets established standards and expectations.
Dependability: Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Maintains accountability for assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.
Attendance: Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.
Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be accomplished, and initiates proper and acceptable action for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.
Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies issues or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to issues or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches issues, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.
Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with established policies or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation intra- and inter-departmentally.
Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and co-workers for mutual benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships inter- and intra-departmentally, and with external entities with whom the position interacts. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints in order to establish and maintain good will. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image.
Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of work elements and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.
Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all established safety and housekeeping standards. Ensures such standards are not violated.
DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. EOE
