Groundskeeper Horticulture Worker

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Finance and Business is a values driven organization that supports thousands of university faculty, staff, and students, while also providing services to the broader community and society. The Office of Physical Plant is part of the Finance and Business team and is an organization driven by its mission to “Provide Excellent Facilities Services for Penn State.” The Office of Physical Plant's values follow those of Penn State’s  and we are especially committed to our vision  to be nationally recognized as a leader in Higher Education facilities, environmental, and safety management.  In our search for excellence we foster a unified high-performing team with mutual respect for each person's uniqueness, talents, value, and perspective.  We also firmly believe in Penn State’s value of Respect , which encourages us to "respect and honor the dignity of each person, embrace civil discourse, and foster a diverse and inclusive community." As an incoming team member of the Office of Physical Plant, it will be expected that all employees embody and model Penn State's and Finance and Business's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Select plant materials, design plant combinations, and coordinate campus planting with Campus Landscape Architect
• Layout flowers, trees, shrubs, and turf on campus
• Organize plant material orders
• Keep accurate records
• Lead and direct the work of and train full-time and part-time employees in the correct methods and procedures required to manage horticultural plantings
• In conjunction with immediate supervisor, compile daily work schedules, plan and inspect work related to horticultural plantings
• Inspect plant material for disease, insect, or mechanical damage
• Perform routine maintenance on, and modifications to, a variety of nursery and greenhouse equipment
• Maintain watering systems, sprayers, etc.
• Repair or replace faulty plumbing
• Set up and maintain electrical devices such as time clocks, control units and fans
• Interpret simple sketches and/or specifications
• Establish sub-grades and finish grades for planting beds and turf
• Plant, water, transplant, prune, fertilize, cultivate, and maintain nursery, greenhouse crops, and campus plantings
• Select, mix, and apply pesticides to nursery, greenhouse crops, and campus plantings as required
• Prepare proper soil mixes
• Move heavy materials such as soil, stone, wood chips, compost, soil mixes, fertilizers, and plant materials as required in nursery and greenhouse operations
• Refer problems to group leaders and supervisors
• Operate trucks, tractors, hi-lift, backhoe, skid steer loader, tree spade, mowers, spreaders, and other landscape equipment as required
• Adjust, clean, oil and grease equipment. Inspect water level, anti-freeze, engine oil, air filters, and air pressure of tires on equipment
• Repair and adjust equipment as required
• Remove snow and ice from walks, roads, parking lots, and shrubbery
• Spread cinders and other anti-skid material on walks, roads, and parking lots
• Remove brush, leaves, grass clippings, paper, spoil, cinders, and rubbish from walks, roads, curbs, parking lots, lawns, and other University property

Job Requirements: Requires the use of shop mathematics together with the use of complicated drawings, specifications, charts, tables, various types of adjustable measuring instruments and the training generally applicable in a particular or specialized occupation. Equivalent to 1 to 3 years applied trades training. Requires a Pennsylvania Certified Applicators License, Category 6 and 7. Over 9 months up to and including 12 months of effective experience.

Work Schedule: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

NOTE: THIS POSITION REQUIRES THAT YOU OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE AS A PART OF YOUR JOB DUTIES. A VALID DRIVER`S LICENSE AND SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE RECORDS CHECK WILL BE REQUIRED IN ADDITION TO STANDARD BACKGROUND CHECKS.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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