Job Description

The Senior Grounds Technician is responsible for providing technical oversight of grounds maintenance, including performing daily grounds services and maintaining irrigation systems, ensuring physical grounds are clean and aesthetically appealing and for performed tasks according to established policies and procedures, as well as helping with maintenance of athletic fields, sewer system, parking areas and airport runways.

Grounds Technician I

The Grounds Technician I is responsible for maintaining college grounds, including performing landscaping, hardscaping, installation and control of sprinkler and irrigation systems; applying fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides according to regulations; provide for a safe, clean, and aesthetically pleasing campus.

Grounds Technician II

The Grounds Technician II is responsible for maintaining college grounds, including performing landscaping, hardscaping and irrigation to provide for a safe, clean, and aesthetically pleasing campus.

Note: Cochise College requires a post offer, pre-employment background screening of all employees.

**OPEN UNTIL FILLED WITH APPLICATIONS REVIEWED UPON RECEIPT. POSITION MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.

This is one FTE position being advertised with three job descriptions (Senior Grounds Technician, or Grounds Technician I, or II), allowing for a wider appeal to applicants and a broader pay scale, depending on experience of the applicant.

Within the scope of college policies and procedures, the Senior Grounds Technician:

Provides oversight of grounds maintenance, ensuring proper use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and equipment; mixes and applies chemicals according to manufacturers instructions and departmental regulations; observes, reports, and assists in the assignment of work requests for department staff; closely monitors work orders to ensure customer satisfaction and project completeness

Maintains campus wide sprinkler systems, provides field training, demonstrates processes and procedures related to sprinkler system installation, maintenance and repair; performs design, installation maintenance and repair of water sprinkler and irrigation system; installs, tests, repairs and maintains systems utilizing low voltage, hydraulic, or other operating features

Conducts quality inspections of grounds on a routine basis and ensures deficiencies are corrected; develops, implements, and monitors job training and safety programs to ensure all crew members are properly educated on safety policies and procedures

Assists in maintaining sewer system; supervises the maintenance of airport runways according to FAA regulations

Purchases products, materials, and equipment needed for departmental use; maintains records of supplies purchased and utilization for future budget needs

Performs other related duties as assigned

Within the scope of college policies and procedures, the Grounds Technician I:

Performs grounds installation, assessment and maintenance operations; monitors health and appearance of flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns, and takes appropriate corrective action when needed; plants and prunes flowers, shrubs and trees; removes weeds, as well as dead, diseased or injured plantings; maintains lawns and/or athletic fields to include mowing, thatching, aeration, seeding, fertilization and herbicide application; performs hardscaping, storm drainage and water harvesting activities

Installs, maintains and repairs sprinkler and irrigation systems; inspects and adjusts sprinkler and irrigation system components to optimize coverage and adequate watering; maintains and repairs control valves, strainers, check valves, PVC piping and/or poly-tubing distribution systems, risers, sprinkler heads and emitters to assure proper operation in accordance with industry standards

Installs and programs irrigation controllers and software; monitor irrigation adequacy and adjust schedules to prevent under- and over-watering conditions; monitor weather forecasts and manually adjust irrigation timers not controlled by software; maintains campus weather stations ensuring operability and connectivity to network and controllers

Applies fertilizers and herbicides to manage growth and control pests; assures chemicals are properly stored and used in accordance with regulations; maintains and repairs spray equipment to ensure accurate and safe application of herbicides and fertilizers

Performs routine road, parking lot and road sign maintenance and repair; cleans and maintains paved areas, paths, walkways and stairways; verifies roof drain and storm water system is functional and makes recommendations to correct identified deficiencies

Maintains sewer-settling ponds; removes vegetation in and around ponds; prevents erosion and monitors for burrowing animals and seepage; prevents unauthorized access by ensuring physical integrity of fencing, gates and signage; ensure control structures are functioning and not leaking; add nutrients to settling ponds as needed

Operates various equipment such as tractors, turf equipment, powered hand tools and other related landscape tools in a safe and efficient manner; performs routine maintenance and minor repair of equipment and hand tools; conducts routine lubrication, filter cleaning, tools sharpening, battery and tire maintenance to extend the life of equipment and tools

Responds to emergency calls, tasking and work orders, as assigned by supervisor

Performs other related duties as assigned

Within the scope of college policies and procedures, the Grounds Technician II:

Performs grounds installation, assessment and maintenance operations; monitors health and appearance of flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns, and takes appropriate corrective action when needed; plants and prunes flowers, shrubs and trees; removes weeds, as well as dead, diseased or injured plantings; maintains lawns and/or athletic fields to include mowing, thatching, aeration, seeding, fertilization and herbicide application; performs hardscaping, storm drainage and water harvesting activities

Installs, maintains and repairs sprinkler and irrigation systems; inspects and adjusts sprinkler and irrigation system components to optimize coverage and adequate watering; maintains and repairs control valves, strainers, check valves, PVC piping and/or poly-tubing distribution systems, risers, sprinkler heads and emitters to assure proper operation in accordance with industry standards

Assists with installation and programming of irrigation controllers and software; monitors irrigation adequacy and adjusts schedule to prevent under- and over-watering conditions; monitor weather forecasts and manually adjust irrigation timers not controlled by software

Assists with application of fertilizers and herbicides to manage growth and control pests; assures chemicals are properly stored and used in accordance with regulations; maintains spray equipment in safe working order

Performs routine road, parking lot and road sign maintenance and repair; cleans and maintains paved areas, paths, walkways and stairways; ensures roof drains and storm water system are cleared of debris and functioning

Maintains sewer-settling ponds; removes vegetation in and around ponds; prevents erosion and monitors for burrowing animals and seepage; prevents unauthorized access by ensuring physical integrity of fencing, gates and signage; ensure control structures are functioning and not leaking; add nutrients to settling ponds, as needed

Operates various equipment such as tractors, turf equipment, powered hand tools and other related landscape tools in a safe and efficient manner; performs routine maintenance and minor repair of equipment and hand tools; conducts routine lubrication, filter cleaning, tools sharpening, battery and tire maintenance to extend the life of equipment and tools

Responds to emergency calls, tasking and work orders, as assigned by supervisor

Performs other related duties as assigned

General Expectations: Employees are expected to accomplish assigned duties in an efficient, effective and competent manner and to strive for improvement and excellence in all work performed. Additionally, employees must understand the comprehensive role of the community college and cooperate and work harmoniously with students, faculty and staff, and the public. Employees will follow all college policies, rules, regulations and guidelines as they relate to this position.

Senior Grounds Technician:

High school diploma or equivalent, Associate degree preferred

Five years related experience

Valid Arizona drivers license and ability to drive college owned vehicles

Pesticide and herbicides certifications or the ability to obtain certifications within one year

Preference may be given to individuals who are bilingual in English and Spanish

An equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of and ability to follow college policies and procedures

Knowledge of supervisory principles, practices and techniques

Knowledge of general grounds keeping practices and irrigation systems

Knowledge of FAA regulations to ensure proper maintenance of all airport run ways and taxi ways

Skill in mixing pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers

Skill operating heavy equipment and power and hand tools.

Ability to organize, prioritize, and follow multiple tasks through to completion with attention to detail

Ability to work independently while contributing to team environment

Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions and take appropriate action, resolve problems using independent judgment and decision-making processes

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other departmental staff, students and the public

Grounds Technician I:

High School Diploma or equivalent

Three years related experience working in grounds maintenance, irrigation systems, landscaping and hardscaping

Possess a licensed applicator certification

An equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of and ability to follow college policies and procedures

Knowledge of general grounds keeping practices and irrigation systems

Knowledge of herbicide/pesticide application regulations

Ability to operate and maintain grounds and heavy equipment

Skill in mixing and application of pesticides, herbacides, and fertilizers

Ability to organize, prioritize, and follow multiple tasks through to completion with attention to detail

Ability to work independently while contributing to team environment

Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions and take appropriate action, resolve problems using independent judgment and decision-making processes

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other departmental staff, students, department of correction personnel/inmates, and the public

Grounds Technician II:

High School Diploma or equivalent

Two years related experience working in grounds maintenance, irrigation systems, landscaping and/or hardscaping

An equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of and ability to follow college policies and procedures

Knowledge of general grounds keeping practices and irrigation systems

Ability to operate and maintain grounds and heavy equipment

Ability to organize, prioritize, and follow multiple tasks through to completion with attention to detail

Ability to work independently while contributing to team environment

Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions and take appropriate action, resolve problems using independent judgment and decision-making processes

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other departmental staff, students, department of correction personnel/inmates, and the public

Work Environment: Work is primarily performed under general supervision and may require working early morning shifts in a variety of climatic conditions. May work with potentially hazardous chemicals that could include, but are not limited to, fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

Physical Requirements: Essential functions of this position require: manual dexterity, ability to communicate, lifting, kneeling, squatting, climbing, crawling, stooping, turning/twisting, balancing, reaching and handling with varying frequencies.

Heavy work: Occasional lifting and carrying objects up to 75 pounds, Frequent lifting and carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 50 pounds; and/or continuous lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling 10-20 pounds.

Mental Application: Utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking, adaptability and creative problem-solving skills are important

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