Landscape Services Foreman - Facilities Services - UTK

About the role

The Facilities Services Department is responsible for the maintenance and operations of all campus facilities, which includes buildings, grounds, and utility systems. The Landscape Foreman is a working supervisor and trainer assigned to a crew providing landscape maintenance for the campus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain quality of work and productivity.
• Schedule and perform the following throughout the year (around events and weather): Landscape bed maintenance, Trash and debris clean up, Weed control using manual and chemical methods, Leaf clean up, Landscape bed renovation.
• Hands-on working supervision of work team to include determining/assigning jobs, evaluating progress of crew members, and making adjustments as needed.
• Daily check of equipment before and after use for damage or maintenance needs. Inform the mechanic of needs and schedule equipment repair or maintenance.
• Helps make recommendations on new equipment purchases.
• Safe use of landscape equipment and procedures for efficient task completion.
• Create a safe work environment/Job site.
• Aid with hiring and disciplinary action.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: Three (3) years of commercial landscape experience, One (1) year of outside supervisory experience or has experience leading UT Landscape Services crews during absence of Foreman.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Reliability, attendance, punctuality.
• Ability to perform hard, physical work for long periods in all types of weather.
• Ability to read and follow instructions.
• Ability to operate all types of power equipment (commercial mowers, leaf blowers, line trimmers, and chain saws, etc.).
• Knowledge of equipment and tools required to complete job tasks.
• Knowledge of safety measures to use when approaching tasks and operating equipment.
• Ability to schedule prioritize tasks in order complete assignments in a timely fashion.
• Ability to assess crew members' strengths and weaknesses.
• Demonstrate positive attitude and interaction with others.
• Acknowledge limitations and request assistance as needed.
• Ability to lead others, enforce policies and procedures, and practice UT disciplinary action procedures.
• Knowledge of basic plant ID, plant pests and diseases.
• Knowledge of proper landscape maintenance to include mowing, trimming, blowing and weed control techniques.
• Willingness to participate in supervisory training programs.

Other Conditions

• Valid Driver’s license.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
• All Facilities Services personnel are considered "Essential Personnel."

About The College/Department/Division

UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provides around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.