Grounds Worker I

Job Posting

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County is hiring a Grounds Worker I.

Salary : $34,152.00 Annually

Location : Athens, GA

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 2024-0802

Department : Central Services

Opening Date : 01 / 11 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

Purpose & Job Related Requirements

Hiring Incentive Program Effective 06 / 04 / 2024. A $3,000, one time hiring incentive, to be paid in $1,000 increments (not added to base salary). Eligible newly hired full time Grounds Worker I's will receive an incremental hiring incentive upon satisfactory job performance, after completion of 3 months of service; after completion of 6 months of service; and finally after completion of 12 months of employment for a total of $3,000. Continuation of this Recruitment / Hiring Incentive Program is subject to available funding and approval by the Manager. Reports to : Grounds Crew Leader. FLSA Status : Non-Exempt. Classification : Personnel System - Requires satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period. Pay Grade : 108. Safety Sensitive : Yes - Subject to random drug testing per the Athens-Clarke County Drug and Alcohol Ordinance.

Purpose of Job : The purpose of this job is to perform a full range of ground-keeping duties in developing and maintaining the outdoor environment at unified government parks, buildings, and rights-of-way. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, soil preparation, installation and maintenance of landscaped and irrigation systems, application of chemical treatments, equipment operation and maintenance, and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Job Related Requirements : Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 7 : 00 a.m. - 3 : 30 p.m. May be required to work on religious holidays. Regular and predictable attendance is required. Must work cooperatively with others. When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC's safe driving policy. Emergency Position : This position is designated as an emergency position that requires your attendance at work under all types of emergency conditions. Some examples of emergencies include inclement weather, utility failure, fire or other forced evacuations or as determined by the Manager.

Minimum Training & Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

High school diploma or equivalent with six months of landscaping or general outdoor work experience required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Performs cyclical mowing services; prunes and / or removes limbs, trees and stumps. Operates landscape equipment such as mowers, tractors, trimmers, sprayers and chainsaws. Provides needed maintenance to ornamental shrub and seasonal flower plantings, including fertilizing, weeding, watering, spraying, mulching and pruning. Installs and establishes trees, shrubs, grass, annuals, perennials and wildflowers. Performs soil preparation including cultivation, amendment and finish grade. Operates heavy equipment, such as a backhoe, front-end loader, or tractor. Performs routine and special events litter control. Determines the need for and applies water to landscape plantings. Applies herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Constructs retaining walls, drainage systems, walkways and trails. Installs and repairs irrigation systems. Installs Christmas lights and other seasonal banners, ornaments, and crowd control barricades. Performs routine equipment maintenance such as checking and changing oil fluid levels and sharpening of blades. Occasionally supervises and directs the work assignments of temporaries and community service workers in the absence of Grounds Crew Leader. Performs other related duties as required. Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of the Landscape Management Division of the Central Services Department. Knowledge of landscape, horticulture, irrigation systems, soil analysis, heavy ground maintenance equipment, and supervisory practices, policies and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities. Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the job. Knowledge of changes in policy, methods and operations. Knowledge of street maps, horticultural information, invoices, daily work reports, equipment service requests, and other related charts, records, and reports. Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, management, employees, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the Landscape Management Division. Ability handle required mathematical calculations. Ability to use of soil preparation tools, pruning tools, sprayer and spreaders, construction tools, irrigation tools, landscape supplies, and safety equipment. Ability to use of tractors, backhoes, loaders, utility trucks, mowers, power tools, and a variety of landscape maintenance tools and supplies. Has good organizational skill, management, and human relations skills. Ability to use some judgment and discretion in managing subordinates, handling emergency situations and determining the procedures used.

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements : Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment such as tractors, backhoes, front-end loaders, fork lifts, various trucks, mowers, tillers, power tools, pruning tools, sprayers and spreaders, construction tools, irrigation tools, and other equipment and supplies needed for grounds keeping and land maintenance. Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials. This position requires : stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion. Must be able to exert over 100 pounds of force occasionally, and / or over 50 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of heavy work. Data Conception : Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things. Interpersonal Communication : Requires the ability to hear, speak and / or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving / receiving assignments and / or directions to co-workers or assistants / from supervisors. Language Ability : Requires ability to read a variety of records, reports, and manuals such as pesticide labels, street maps, policy manuals, horticulture resources, informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare daily work reports, pesticide application notifications, equipment service requests, restricted purchase orders, and disciplinary reports using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence. Intelligence : Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management. Verbal Aptitude : Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical or professional languages including horticulture terminology such as Latin plant names and botanical nomenclature. Numerical Aptitude : Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; utilize determine percentages; compute ratio and proportions; and calculate areas of dimension. Form / Spatial Aptitude : Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, and width visually with construction equipment and transit. Motor Coordination : Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using landscape and construction equipment. Requires the ability to lift, bend, push, pull, manipulate equipment / tools and objects as the position necessitates. Manual Dexterity : Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as hand and power tools as well as heavy moving machinery and equipment. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have moderate levels of eye / hand / foot coordination. Color Discrimination : May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Interpersonal Temperament : Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency. Physical Communication : Requires the ability to talk and / or hear : (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Requires the ability to communicate via telephone or two-way radio.

ACCGov is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. ACCGov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.