Grounds Maintenance Job Descriptions

1. Plans, lays out and directs work. Determines the manpower, means and methods and materials needed to accomplish work assignments under limited supervision.
2. Identifies different varieties of plant materials, ground covers and provides proper cultural requirements such as pruning, spraying, etc.
3. If required may operate automatic irrigation systems and adjusts to meet the needs of turf or plant material. Makes minor repairs to irrigation systems, cleans and replaces damaged heads.
4. Conducts all phases of planting, lawn installation and other projects on campus.
5. Recommends changes in equipment, materials or procedures to improve productivity and increase efficiency.
6. Designs and installs flagstone or other paving materials for walks, patios, etc.
7. Identifies disease, insect or weed problems affecting turn, trees and other plant material. Institutes appropriate control or preventive measures and files in-house paperwork under limited supervision.
8. Performs work of lower labor grades.
9. Directs and trains lower labor grades.

1. Determines the manpower and material requirements and the means and methods to be used in accomplishing work assignments.
2. Prioritizes and schedules repair work with supervisor.
3. Secures materials, supplies and equipment.
4. Estimates spare parts required and maintains stock replacement and inventory.
5. Follows assembly drawing, specifications and instructions received from equipment manufacturers in the process of making repairs when available.
6. Maintains preventive maintenance forms used in recording repairs, fuel and oil consumption, operating hours/miles, man hours, and parts used in maintaining equipment.
7. Maintains equipment repair areas in a clean, orderly fashion with tools and equipment organized so that they are readily available.
8. Welds and cuts parts together using arc welding and gas equipment.
9. Adjusts and sharpens equipment for proper operation.
10. Assembles, installs and repairs all equipment used by the division.
11. Cleans equipment with steam cleaners on a regularly scheduled basis and prior to making repairs.
12. Touches-up, paints, and performs bodywork.
13. Directs lower labor grade employees assigned.
14. Trains lower labor grade employees using various training methods.
15. Observes safety standards and practices.
16. Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

Four or more years performing mechanical work in a grounds maintenance related setting.Must be able to diagnose and maintain small gas and diesel engines.Must be able to diagnose and maintain hydraulic systems on equipment.Must be able to diagnose and maintain electrical systems on equipment.Must be able to adjust, sharpen and troubleshoot reel and rotary mowers to very high tolerances per the supervisor's specifications.Must possess computer skills to locate and order parts, maintain work orders and keep maintenance records current.

• A welding certificate or equivalent in arc, mig and acetylene/oxygen.
• Hydraulic systems repair experience.
• ASE certification in the following:
  • Automotive brakes
  • Automotive engine performance
  • One other ASE Certificate from the ASE Test Pre Choices
• Documented diesel repair experience

1. Performs all duties related to litter pickup, leaf removal, sweeping and general cleanup of areas using hand or power tools.
2. Empties trash barrels.
3. Shovels snow and applies de-icing material.
4. Rakes lawn areas.
5. May accompany and assist higher-graded employees in maintaining and repairs lawn areas, shrub plantings, ground cover areas, vines, trees, flower beds, parking logs, walks and fences.
6. Removes inappropriately posted notices from trash containers, posts, gates, trees, fences walls, walks and other areas.
7. Uses and Maintains tools necessary to accomplish job duties.
8. Observes safety standards and practices.
9. Performs related duties as required.

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1. Determines material and equipment needed for assigned project.
2. Observes abnormal appearances in turf, trees, and beds such as diseases, insects and weed problems and reports such finds to supervisor or Gardener/Master Gardener.
3. Under general direction prepares, applies, and reports use of the appropriate fertilizers and pesticides to control problems in turf and beds.
4. Assists a Gardener/Master Gardener in all phases of the installation of plant material, sod, lawns and paving material and other projects on campus.
5. Prunes trees, shrubs and other plant material as directed.
6. Sweeps sidewalks, courtyards and walkways using hand or power tools.
7. Performs all duties related to litter pickup, leaf removal and general cleanup of areas.
8. Performs all duties required in the maintaining of athletic facilities such as layout, marking and maintenance of athletic fields, tennis courts tract, and polo fields.
9. Performs all duties required in the maintaining of the Golf Course such as moving of tees, greens, approaches, fairways, and roughs with specialized moving equipment, maintaining grass and sand bunkers, changing and setting tee markers and putting green pins, seeding, top dressing, aerifying, fertilizing, and spraying under the guidance of a greens keeping superintendent.
10. Under direction, operates watering systems.
11. Maintains lawn areas, shrub plantings (beds), trees, parking lots, walks.
12. Mows turf and edges using hand and power equipment.
13. Removes snow including shoveling, sanding, and plowing.
14. Operates, cleans and performs preventive maintenance such as greasing, checking and filling, fluids, etc. on all equipment and vehicles.
15. Directs and trains lower labor grades.
16. Observes all safety standards and practices.
17. Performs related duties as required or assigned within the job classification.

    • Ability to read, write and follow instructions.
    • Must hold a valid Connecticut motor vehicle operators license.
    • Lift eighty (80) pounds.

1. Follows assembly drawings, specifications and instructions received from equipment manufacturers in the process of making repairs.
2. Maintains preventive maintenance forms used in recording repairs, fuel and oil consumption, operating hours/miles, man hours and parts used in maintaining equipment.
3. Maintains equipment repair area in a clean, orderly fashion with tools and equipment organized so that they are readily available.
4. Welds metal parts together using arc-welding and heli-arc equipment under direction.
5. Adjusts and sharpens equipment for proper operation.
6. Assembles, installs and repairs all equipment used by the division.
7. Cleans equipment with steam cleaners on a regularly scheduled basis and prior to making repairs.
8. Touches-up and paints equipment as needed.
9. Observes safety standards and practices.
10. Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

1. Operates heavy vehicles.
2. Delivers and picks up personnel, equipment and materials to designated destinations.
3. Assists in loading and unloading of trucks.
4. Maintains cleanliness of trucks.
5. Delivers and picks up trucks for periodic scheduled servicing.
6. Reports all malfunctions of truck to supervisor immediately.
7. Observes safe driving habits and practices.
8. Checks safety of vehicle including tires inflation, mirrors, wiper blades, lights, engine oil level and hydraulic fluid level and makes notations on daily inspection forms provided.
9. Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classifications.

1. Picks up and empties rubbish containers into trash collection truck on a scheduled route.
2. Picks up debris and spillage from rubbish containers and places in truck.
3. Operates loader/packer on truck.
4. Exercises care in handling of rubbish containers in order to avoid damage to them and themselves.
5. Wears safety vest and glasses or goggles in the performance of his duties.
6. Observes safety standards and practices.
7. Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

1. Determines the manpower and material requirements and the means and methods to be used in accomplishing work assignments.
2. Prioritizes and schedules repair work with supervisor.
3. Secures materials, supplies and equipment.
4. Estimates spare parts required and maintains stock replacement and inventory.
5. Follows assembly drawing, specifications and instructions received from equipment manufacturers in the process of making repairs when available.
6. Maintains preventive maintenance forms used in recording repairs, fuel and oil consumption, operating hours/miles, man hours, and parts used in maintaining equipment.
7. Maintains equipment repair areas in a clean, orderly fashion with tools and equipment organized so that they are readily available.
8. Welds and cuts parts together using arc welding and gas equipment.
9. Adjusts and sharpens equipment for proper operation.
10. Assembles, installs and repairs all equipment used by the division.
11. Cleans equipment with steam cleaners on a regularly scheduled basis and prior to making repairs.
12. Touches-up, paints, and performs bodywork.
13. Directs lower labor grade employees assigned.
14. Trains lower labor grade employees using various training methods.
15. Observes safety standards and practices.
16. Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

Four or more years performing mechanical work in a grounds maintenance related setting.Must be able to diagnose and maintain small gas and diesel engines.Must be able to diagnose and maintain hydraulic systems on equipment.Must be able to diagnose and maintain electrical systems on equipment.Must be able to adjust, sharpen and troubleshoot reel and rotary mowers to very high tolerances per the supervisor's specifications.Must possess computer skills to locate and order parts, maintain work orders and keep maintenance records current.

• A welding certificate or equivalent in arc, mig and acetylene/oxygen.
• Hydraulic systems repair experience.
• ASE certification in the following:
  • Automotive brakes
  • Automotive engine performance
  • One other ASE Certificate from the ASE Test Pre Choices
• Documented diesel repair experience

1. Performs special assignments of a non-routine nature under very limited supervision.
2. Direct the work of employees under the direction of the supervisor.
3. Under the direction of the supervisor, assumes general responsibility for the completion of the complex assignments.
4. Inspects the work of others, on his job, and recommends changes.
5. Determines the manpower and material requirements and the means and methods to be used in accomplishing work assignments.
6. Prioritizes and schedules repair work with supervisor.
7. Secures materials, supplies and equipment.
8. Estimates spare parts required and maintains stock replacement and inventory.
9. Follows assembly drawings, specifications and instructions received from equipment manufacturers in the process of making repairs when available.
10. Maintains preventive maintenance forms used in recording repairs, fuel and oil consumption, operating hours/miles, man hours and parts used in maintaining equipment.
11. Maintains equipment repair areas in a clean, orderly fashion with tools and equipment organized so that they are readily available.
12. Welds and cuts parts together using arc welding and gas equipment.
13. Adjusts and sharpens equipment for proper operation.
14. Assembles, installs and repairs all equipment used by the division.
15. Cleans equipment with steam cleaners on a regularly scheduled basis and prior to making repairs.
16. Touches-up, paints, and performs bodywork.
17. Directs lower labor grade employees assigned.
18. Trains lower labor grade employees using various training methods. Observes safety standards and practices.
19. Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

Five or more years performing both vehicular and equipment mechanical repair work in a grounds maintenance related setting.

Must be able to diagnose and maintain small gas and diesel engines.
Must be able to diagnose and maintain hydraulic systems on equipment.
Must be able to diagnose and maintain electrical systems on equipment.
Must be able to adjust, sharpen and troubleshoot reel and rotary mowers to very high tolerances per the supervisor's specifications.
Must possess computer skills to locate and order parts, maintain work orders and keep maintenance records current.

• A welding certificate or equivalent in arc, mig and acetylene/oxygen. Hydraulic systems repair experience.
• ASE certification in the following:
  • Automotive brakes.
  • Automotive engine performance.
  • One other ASE certificate from the ASE Test Prep Choices
• Documented diesel repair experience.

1. Plans, lays out and directs work, determines the manpower, means and methods and material needed to accomplish work assignments with no supervisor or absence of the Supervisor.
2. Identifies the disease, insect or weed problem affecting turf, trees and other plant material. Institutes appropriate control or preventive measures and files in-house paperwork.
3. Under supervision, sets up and institutes a preventive and/or curative program of pesticide use for lawns, trees and shrubs.
4. Performs work of lower labor grades.
5. Directs and trains all lower labor grades.

• Experience in LG8 for four (4) years of LG9.

• Must possess the Connecticut Customer Grounds Supervisory License; for Golf Course only, may possess Golf Course superintendent license instead.

• Practical test will be given per contract.

1. Determines materials and equipment needed for assigned projects.
2. Recognizes the presence of diseases, weeks, insects and other pests attacking turf areas, trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover and flower beds and reports same to supervisor.
3. Recommends changes in equipment materials or procedures to improve productivity and increase efficiency.
4. Operates manual and automatic irrigating systems and adjusts water application to best meet the specific needs to turf or plant materials under the guidance of a supervisor.
5. Guys and trains vines and espaliered trees and shrubs as directed.
6. Performs all duties required in the maintaining of athletic facilities such as layout, marking and maintenance of athletic fields, tennis courts, track and polo fields.
7. Performs all duties required in the maintaining of the Golf Course such as mowing of tees, greens, approaches, fairways, and roughs with specialized mowing equipment, operating water systems, maintaining grass and sand bunkers, changing and setting tee markers and putting green pins, seeding, top dressing, aerifying, fertilizing, and spraying under the guidance of a greens keeping superintendent.
8. Mixes and applies fertilizers, soil conditioners, weed control materials and other chemicals in correct proportion under the guidance of a supervisor.
9. Prunes trees, shrubs and vines as directed.
10. Performs all phases of nursery and greenhouse work such as making cuttings, propagating and fumigating under the guidance of a supervisor.
11. Lays flagstone, granite block, bring in sand and other paving material.
12. Lays out striping of parking lots.
13. Patches and repairs paving of parking lots and walks.
14. Removes snow including shoveling, sanding and application of de-icing chemicals.
15. Uses and maintains hand tools such as rakes, brooms picks and shovels, cultivators, pole saws, pruning equipment, chisels and augers.
16. Operates and performs preventive maintenance on power equipment such as tractors and accessory equipment, power mowers, rotovators, power vacuums and blowers, chain saws, snow removal equipment and power sprayers.
17. Directs lower labor grade employees assigned to project.
18. Trains lower labor grade employees using various training methods.
19. Observes safety standards and practices.
20. Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.