ALAMANCE-BURLINGTON SCHOOL SYSTEM

POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

POSITION TITLE	Grounds Foreman
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT	Maintenance
SALARY	Salary Scale 66
FLSA STATUS	Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO	Director of Maintenance
SUPERVISES	Grounds Maintenance Workers
WORK WEEK SCHEDULE	Monday - Friday
WORK HOURS	Monday – Friday or as scheduled; must be available on-call
NUMBER OF MONTHS PER YEAR	12

 

POSITION PURPOSE: 

Under occasional supervision, performs supervisory and administrative work in area of landscaping and grounds maintenance to ensure necessary projects are completed in an efficient, safe, and timely manner. Work involves coordinating and supervising the district-wide landscaping and grounds maintenance program. Employee makes assignments and oversees projects to completion, which may include the use of contracted services. Duties require working with the administration in determining project requirements, project cost assessments, and course of action for completion of projects. Employee must exercise independent judgment and initiative in performing assigned duties. Tact and courtesy are required in frequent contacts with co-workers and school officials and department heads. Reports to the Director of Maintenance.

 

  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

 

• Considerable knowledge of grounds maintenance and horticultural principles and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of shrubs, plants, flowers, as well as their uses in landscaping grounds.
• Considerable knowledge of planting, cultivating, pruning, spraying, and trimming requirements of flowers, shrubs, trees and grass.
• Working knowledge of grounds maintenance equipment.
• General knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.
• General knowledge of the occupational hazards of landscaping and grounds maintenance work and the associated safety precautions.
• Skill in the use and care of hand tools and equipment necessary to perform landscaping and grounds maintenance tasks.
• Ability to estimate manpower and material requirements for individual projects.
• Ability to develop and implement work schedules.
• Ability to prioritize, plan, assign, coordinate, and direct the work of employees.
• Ability to supervise and participate in the maintenance and repair of tractors, mowers, and other equipment used in grounds maintenance.
• Ability to understand and work from blueprints and specifications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

 

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from high school supplemented by training in landscaping and lawn maintenance.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in landscape work and in the operation of a variety of motorized equipment or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

 

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the NC Department of Motor Vehicles
• Must possess or be able to hold applicable licensure or certification to operate heavy equipment, fork lifts, and pickup truck.
• Must maintain a safe driving record. Possession of a North Carolina Pesticide Applications License required with ornamental and turf certification required and aquatic certification preferred. ISA certification preferred.

  

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises, coordinates, and participates in landscaping and grounds maintenance work including but not limited to; mowing grass, cutting trees, trimming shrubs, bush hogging, and other associated grounds maintenance tasks.
• Observes grounds maintenance needs, sets priorities, and makes work assignments.
• Oversees the maintenance of school grounds including playgrounds, driveways, paths, and parking areas.
• Submits requisitions for equipment and parts necessary for operation of grounds department.
• Submits a cost estimate for the amount of material and labor necessary for a particular job.
• Supervises the development of landscaped areas in accordance with working drawings.
• Estimates labor and materials needed to maintain or develop grounds.
• Participates in the selection of appropriate number and types of plants, shrubs, trees and grasses suited to the location, soil, amount of sun received, and availability of water.
• Selects the type and amount of insecticide, herbicide, or pesticide and instructs employees on proper application to conform to NCDA regulations.
• Selects the type and amount of fertilizer and instructs employees on proper application.
• Performs skilled tasks associated with grounds renovation and construction projects.
• Supervises the tree removal operation and the maintenance of chippers, stump grinders and their safe operation.
• Reviews the work of outside contractors for adherence to plans and specifications.
• Supervises the construction of sidewalks, drainage ditches, and terraces. Works with engineers and grading crews to insure proper installation.
• Conducts quality checks of work in progress or upon completion to assure acceptability.
• Trains staff in the proper use of tools and work procedures, and instructs employees on safety procedures.
• Maintains records of work orders, inventory, and expenditures.
• Recommends persons to be hired, disciplined, discharged, or promoted.
• Reviews snow plan yearly and updates for efficiency
• Coordinates, supervises and implements snow plan for ABSS.
• Attends ISA classes to keep current with proper safety and operation of Arbocultural standards
• Attend courses for recertification of pesticide license to keep current with NCDA laws.
• Is on 24-hour call for emergencies in grounds department.
• Draft requisitions and specifications for contracted services.
• Does yearly evaluations and job performance reviews with each employee under supervision.
• Conduct periodic inventory of all tools and equipment assigned personnel of the trade; maintain a computerized listing of such inventory; ensure each technician conduct a quarterly inventory of tools and equipment assigned and submit the required report to the director within two weeks of completing such inventory.
• Performs other related work as required.

  

 

WORKING CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL DEMANDS	Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment and machinery including core drills, cherry pickers, tractors, backhoes, mowers, landscaping and grounds maintenance tool, scaffolds, electrical tools, etc.  Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle.  Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 75 pounds of force frequently, and/or 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects.  Requires the ability to climb and maneuver on ladders, scaffolding, and/or in tight spaces. Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods of time as required by work assignments.
WORK ENVIRONMENT	Employees in this position are required to work in indoor and outdoor environments, and come into direct contact with ABSS staff, students and the public.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The following signatures acknowledge that the supervisor has verified the accuracy of the position description, has discussed position requirements with the employee, and has advised the employee of work performance expectations
Reviewed by:  Employee's Signature	Date
Approval by:  Supervisor's Signature	Date
The completed and signed position description shall be maintained at the employee’s work location, shall be reviewed with the employee by his or her immediate supervisor, should be revised as required, and shall serve as the basis for all required evaluations.

 

DISCLAIMER:  The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, any time.