Grounds Specialist

About the role

The grounds specialist position at Colby College is a full-time role with benefits. The primary responsibility is to maintain the College grounds, support campus events, perform moving and setup tasks, and assist with projects that enhance the campus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the College grounds including mowing, raking, plant maintenance, lawn care, trail maintenance, and snow removal.
• Provide support to projects enhancing the campus, such as new plantings, mulching, signage, and other small projects.
• Set up facilities for college events and provide necessary support.
• Move furniture and other materials on campus and within the local area.
• Perform work to properly maintain athletic facilities, including lawn care, playing surface maintenance, lining of fields, ice making, and ice grooming operations.
• Complete manual tasks as required to meet the needs of the College, such as digging, shoveling, lifting, pushing, and similar tasks requiring physical labor.
• Operate grounds department equipment, including trucks, tractors, riding mowers, forklift, and bobcat, as assigned by the supervisor.
• Demonstrate basic mechanical understanding of all ground's equipment.
• Oversee periodic assignments of students and/or summer employees to ensure that work is performed to college standards.
• Operate handheld equipment, including lawn mowers, chain saws, trimmers, brooms, snow blowers, etc., safely and efficiently.
• Work in excavations or trenches; work from ladders, scaffolds, or in trees; work in all weather conditions.
• Work in a neat, careful, and safe manner to prevent injury to self and others, and to prevent damage to any material, equipment, or property.
• Safely operate tools and equipment necessary to perform job duties.
• Work in a positive, cooperative manner with other departmental personnel.
• Communicate effectively and personably with a diverse community of people.
• Follow all safety rules and procedures.
• Respond to emergency calls as necessary.
• Independently respond to work orders and requests.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Professional coursework or post-secondary education are a plus.
• Experience working in similar ground positions is strongly desired.
• A valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements.
• Ability to work independently, exercise judgment, and manage projects with minimal supervision as well as to adjust as new projects are assigned.
• Ability to make an impact through work as a member of a team and diverse community.
• Solid communication skills in order to work collaboratively with members of a diverse community and to provide excellent customer service.

Qualifications

• Physical ability to withstand adverse weather and critical role requirements.
• Experience in landscaping grounds maintenance and performing tree maintenance using trade tools, machinery, and equipment, etc.
• Ability to lift up to 60 pounds frequently and up to 90 pounds occasionally, with or without reasonable accommodations.