GroundsKeeper

Employment Type: Full time • Shift: Day Shift

About the role

The Grounds Keeper/Equipment Operator is responsible for the maintenance of properties associated with MercyOne North Iowa to provide a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment for patients, staff, and visitors. The position performs a wide variety of grounds maintenance (landscaping, street, and parking lot) and requires the knowledge and ability to operate, repair, and maintain tractors, trucks, and power equipment associated with the essential job functions.

Responsibilities

• Performs regular grounds and landscaping maintenance of all MercyOne North Iowa properties, including but not limited to: lawn mowing with tractors, riders, push mowers, trimming, raking and removal of leaves, weeding, and sweeping of streets.
• Assists with snow removal, sand, and ice melt application for all hospital properties following established snow plans, utilizing specified outside contractors and hospital personnel, including inspection of exits for safe egress. Trains, facilitates, and monitors winter temporary help.
• Utilizes problem-solving skills to investigate problems and formulate solutions to improve safety, maximize growth, and reduce costs.
• Builds collaborative relationships throughout the organization to share knowledge, skills, and resources. Encourages open two-way communication.
• Embraces change and takes prudent risks to find new ways to support the Mission. Encourages new ideas to serve patients and communities. Provides and accepts coaching and feedback.
• Performs grounds surveillance based on an established schedule, makes minor repairs to asphalt streets and parking lots, and identifies areas needing special attention or replacement for Leadership.
• Performs preventive maintenance (PM) on all grounds equipment, including tractors, mowers, blowers, power brooms, and other equipment. PMs include oil and filter changes, tune-ups, lubrications, adjusting/changing belts and hoses, sharpening/replacing blades, etc.
• Maintains parts, reorders replacement parts, and manages inventory supplies to ensure smooth and continuous operation of equipment and workflow. Troubleshoots and repairs grounds equipment (e.g., loader, tractors, blowers, mowers, trimmers). Fabricates or repairs damaged equipment by welding or cutting to mend broken, bent, or loose parts. Repairs and replaces hydraulic systems (e.g., hoses, belts).
• Plants shrubs, trees, and flowers. Grooms landscape by pruning, watering, mulching, and weed control. Installs and removes outdoor signage.
• Safely operates, follows operator instructions, and obeys all traffic laws associated with the operation of plow trucks, articulate loader, loader tractors, tractor blowers, mowers, power equipment, power vacuum, chain saws, trimmers, leaf blowers, and other grounds-keeping equipment.
• Performs maintenance and upkeep of ponds, fountains, and associated plants or fish.
• Performs data entry on departmental preventive maintenance and work order software.
• Stays abreast of methodology, best practices, and equipment to maintain a continually learning and growing environment. Attends applicable training.
• Works with little supervision, using sound judgment to make decisions aligned with the mission and vision of MercyOne North Iowa Grounds.
• Maintains required department confidentiality and abides by HIPAA regulations.
• Actively enhances ability to carry out job functions through personal and professional growth and participates in education programs.
• Communicates and performs duties following the philosophy of MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center and the Sisters of Mercy, reflecting the organization’s Mission, Values, and Cultural Beliefs.
• Supports and abides by all medical center, departmental, and safety policies and procedures. Proactively identifies safety concerns in the work environment.
• Performs other responsibilities as requested by supervisor, manager, or department head.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Post-secondary education applicable (mechanical and horticultural) to the position is desirable.
• One year of previous experience in nursery/landscaping or agriculture required.
• Experience operating heavy equipment preferred.
• Experience welding is strongly preferred.
• Must have a current valid driver’s license (not required if working PRN status).
• Mechanical aptitude.
• May be required to work nights or weekends as weather dictates.
• Able to work under stressful conditions and in extreme/inclement weather.

Certifications

• Proof of Basic Life Support (BLS Healthcare Provider, American Heart Association; or American Red Cross, Professional Rescuer-LIVE class only) via current card prior to employment or within 60 days of hire, and maintains current status.
• Completes Mandatory Reporting: Child and Dependent Adult Abuse requirement within 6 months of hire and renews every 5 years.
• Completes Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association within 6 months of hire and maintains current status.
• Completes Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) – American Heart Association within 6 months of hire and maintains current status.
• Completes Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – American Heart Association within 6 months of hire and maintains current status.
• Completes MANDT Training within 6 months of hire and maintains current status.
• Completes Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) within 6 months of hire and maintains current status.

Equipment

• Computer
• Snow Removal Equipment
• Shop Equipment
• Tractor
• Lawn Equipment
• Hydraulic Pressure Systems
• Truck
• Trimmers
• Leaf Vacuum
• Work Order System
• Articulate Loader
• Outlook
• Blowers
• KRONOS System