Turf Maintenance Specialist

About the role

Serving the U-M community, Custodial & Grounds Services are the stewards of the buildings and grounds that make the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan unique. Our employees are dedicated to the preservation of the academic and hospital campuses and pride themselves in giving exceptional customer service while conserving, enhancing and maintaining more than 26 million square feet of property.

As stewards for the outdoor properties of the U-M's Ann Arbor Campus, Grounds Services provides horticultural and grounds keeping maintenance for over 1200 acres of university property. Our specialized crews are dedicated professionals who pride themselves in caring for the university's natural areas.

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Responsibilities

• Organize, coordinate, and carry out Work Plan activities for the maintenance of turf and hardscape areas, such as mowing, string trimming, sidewalk edging, leaf removal, hardscape cleanup, power washing, snow removal, and other grounds maintenance activities required in a campus setting.
• Organize, motivate, and develop a cohesive and highly productive team.
• Assist with recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of temporary staff and coordinate training.
• Assist other specialty crews working within the assigned zone as needed.
• Represent the department and consult with customers in matters related to customer-specific landscape maintenance activities.
• Keep abreast of new developments in landscape maintenance practices such as new products, equipment, and current cultural techniques.
• Organize, coordinate, and carry out all preventative maintenance, repairs, storage, and training for all assigned equipment.
• Coordinate and perform snow removal as needed.
• Routinely operate various Grounds maintenance equipment such as wheel loaders, skid loaders, tractors, utility vehicles, mowers, etc.
• Routinely use various Grounds maintenance hand tools such as shovels, rakes, brooms, blowers, rototillers, push spreaders, etc.
• Routinely and independently move materials (weighing up to 50 lbs) from the floor to the transportation vehicle and from the transportation vehicle to various sites across campus, including areas inside and outside of buildings as well as on various types of terrain.
• Mix and apply selective and non-selective herbicides or fertilizers in properly calibrated proportions. Coordinate and carry out invasive species removal programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree, or equivalent combination of training/education and experience in a related field
• Experience in a working lead landscape maintenance position directing the work of others
• Michigan Department of Agriculture Certified Pesticide Applicator License with categories 3a, 3b and 6, or the ability to obtain it within 90 days of employment
• Valid driver's license with less than six (6) points
• Ability to obtain upon employment and maintain a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card
• Ability to organize, motivate, and develop a cohesive and highly productive team
• Experience with professional landscape maintenance and equipment
• Experience with professional snow removal operations and equipment
• Ability to work overtime, including holidays and weekends if needed/required (i.e. snow removal, etc.)
• Must be able to perform all duties within the classification, with or without reasonable accommodation

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field with equivalent experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in a lead landscape maintenance position that directs the work of others.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience with professional snow removal operations and equipment.

Why Work at Michigan?

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care — that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

Benefits

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Schedule

Work schedule is Monday–Friday, 6 am–2:30 pm. Ability to work overtime, including holidays and weekends if needed/required (i.e., snow removal, etc.).