Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds)

About the role

This position performs routine manual laboring duties supporting common maintenance service-type activities, including cleaning grounds, roadways, and structures by sweeping, raking, shoveling, mowing grass, and removing debris, leaves, branches, snow, ice, and trash. Duties may vary depending on operational need and may include work with trades, custodial, and expediting crews.

Responsibilities

• Mow, seed, and maintain lawns; transplant and prune trees, shrubs, and flowers
• Clean grounds by sweeping, raking, shoveling, and removing litter, debris, leaves, and branches
• Apply pesticides and fertilizers to trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns
• Remove snow, apply sand, calcium, or salt to walks, roads, and parking lots using shovels, snow blowers, trucks, or tractors
• Erect and remove snow fences
• Move items to and from storerooms; lay out athletic fields and set up athletic equipment
• Sharpen mowers and perform unskilled maintenance on grounds equipment
• Patch roads and walks using sealer, stone, and blacktop materials
• Dig and clear drainage ditches and storm basins
• Perform indoor janitorial or unskilled maintenance tasks in winter
• Occasionally operate light construction equipment such as front-end loaders, forklifts, and backhoes
• Develop computer skills to operate the Department’s facilities management system

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability and willingness to obtain a valid CDL Class B license with air brakes within the first six months of probation
• Willingness to obtain a Pesticide Applicator’s Certification for Category 3A if offered
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions
• Valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State
• Ability to perform medium to heavy manual labor
• Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools and motorized equipment

Additional Requirements

• Background in small engine repair, including work on lawn mowers, weed eaters, riding mowers, small gasoline engines, and hydraulic repair
• Availability for emergency call-in during non-normal work hours, including long and varied hours during emergencies or inclement weather
• Subject to pre-employment and random/mandatory drug and alcohol testing pursuant to federal regulations
• Reliable attendance is a factor due to the essential nature of the position