Lead Groundskeeper

About Salem Academy and College

Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country.  Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 253-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through liberal arts education. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders.

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Operations, as an essential employee, the Leads Groundskeeper reports directly to the Assistant Director of Grounds. Lead Groundskeepers generally will lead and participate in routine grounds maintenance, project landscaping, and setups for functions, and any other duties assigned. Must be physically able to perform tasks appropriately.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates and directs the Grounds staff to include work scheduling and assignments, training, routine maintenance, project work, and special event setups with the assistance from the Assistant Director of Grounds.
• Provide general grounds maintenance for the Salem campus.
• Check equipment and perform routine maintenance to ensure everything is in working order
• Repair malfunctioning equipment units and broken structures
• Respond to grounds maintenance, repair, and work order requests
• Select and contract specialists on larger maintenance-related projects as directed.
• Advise Assistant Director of Grounds of new supplies and equipment needs.
• Assist with the snow removal as needed
• Work cooperatively and effectively with all members of the department, and other campus constituencies.

• Keeps work area, buildings, and property in clean and orderly condition.
• Performs routine grounds maintenance activities.
• Performs grounds maintenance duties, and functions specific to assigned areas and/or based on needs for seasonal/project requirements.
• Use grounds maintenance solutions, pesticides, and chemicals correctly in preparation of and during maintenance, according to instructions.
• Follows procedures for the use of chemicals and power machinery to prevent injury and damaged equipment.
• Assists with managing inventory of grounds maintenance supplies.
• Drives vehicles required to perform or travel to maintenance work, including Salem vehicles, vans, or industrial equipment.
• Unlocks gates, doors, ensuring they are locked after completing grounds maintenance.
• Reports needs and concerns to supervisor/appropriate staff, which may include submitting or recommending work orders and checking supply levels within on-campus storage areas, and responsible for reporting concerns related to on-campus residents.
• Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
• Assists in on-the-job training of new staff on routine procedures.
• Report issues with vendors, students/faculty/staff/parents, etc. to supervisor.
• Performs other tasks, duties, and responsibilities as assigned.
• Pick up and remove trash/debris from the property and dispose of it appropriately.
• Operate various types of gardens and landscape equipment including power mowers, weed eaters, saws, hedge trimmers, sprayers, power brushes, skid steer, golf carts.
• Performs tasks such as mowing, planting, aerating, seeding, fertilizing, trimming shrubs, blowing, removing leaves, raking, edging, salting, shoveling snow, removing ice, watering, and pruning.
• Clean and maintain water features.
• Performs minor routine maintenance on grounds equipment.
• Clean and upkeep sidewalks, driveways, parking lots.
• Maintains Athletic fields.
• Performs moving and hauling and special setup functions as required.
• Patch campus roads, drives, and parking lots when instructed.
• Perform general maintenance assignments including, on exterior facilities, such as woodworking, fence building and repair, and other associated tasks.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, during inclement weather, campus emergencies, and during other circumstances requiring grounds maintenance staffing, as an Essential Employee.
• Performs other duties when assigned.

Position Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Self-motivated with the ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to lead others.
• Ability to understand and follow safety procedures.
• Ability to safely use grounds equipment and supplies.
• Ability to use hand and power tools applicable to trade.
• Ability to lift and manipulate heavy objects.
• Ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce safety procedures.
• Excellent communication, oral, interpersonal, and writing skills.
• Strong troubleshooting skills including the ability to multi-task and work independently with demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• Ability and skill to give appropriate feedback to coworkers and supervisors.
• Knowledge and experience of groundskeeping best practices, procedures, and terms associated with grounds maintenance, and facilities operations.
• Knowledge of inventory control practices.
• Ability to organize work and maintain schedules.
• Ability to perform repetitive motion for long periods of time.
• Excellent manual dexterity, innovative/critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate proficiency with technology, computers, and computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of related grounds work experience
• 5+ years of leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of horticultural practices.
• Must demonstrate the ability to operate & maintain landscaping equipment
• Pesticide license preferred.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• High school diploma or equivalent, or combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Valid driver's license.
• Submit to random drug testing.

Physical/Environmental Requirements:

• Bend, squat, stand, kneel, walk, run, crawl, and climb.
• Regularly ascend/descend stairs.
• Walk for long distances and sit for varying lengths of time.
• Reach above shoulders, handle keys/tools/objects, push, pull, carry, or lift over 50 lbs.
• Work may necessitate accessing and working in confined spaces or high spaces.
• Must be physically able to operate the equipment required to perform duties.
• Work in an indoor/outdoor environment subject to changing temperatures.
• Ability to lift heavy objects, climb ladders, and work at heights
• Considerable physical activity. Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing or pulling required of objects up to 60 pounds. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of the job.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Salem Academy and College is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law in its employment practices.