Senior Groundskeeper

Dept Number/Name: 0-1201-000 / College Arts and Sciences
College Division: Acad Affairs-Coll of ArtsandSci
Salary Plan: Staff
Job Code/Title: 6395 / Sr Groundskeeper
Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $38,000
Position Number: 00004229

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:
The USF Botanical Gardens is part of the College of Arts and Sciences. It consists of about 16 acres of gardens and greenbelt on the USF Tampa campus. The Gardens maintains a living collection of more than 3,000 of plants, animals and natural habitats.
Attracting thousands of visitors annually, the gardens serve as an important outreach component of USF. Plant festivals and other events attract enthusiasts from around the state to shop for rare and unusual plants and learn about sustainable gardening. The Gardens supports ongoing research in medical botany, biology, engineering, for example, and provide opportunities for service-learning to USF students. From student organizations to many Tampa Bay area volunteers, there are many ways to get involved on campus.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Groundskeeper role is responsible for assigning and overseeing the work of Groundskeeper, volunteers and interns, ensuring that all of work for the shift has been completed in an acceptable manner, and assists in landscaping and maintaining landscape infrastructure and other assigned areas.
Maintenance of the assigned areas includes keeping the grounds in clean and orderly condition. Senior Groundskeepers are responsible for general maintenance and upkeep of grounds areas as well as specific detailing of the landscape beds as directed.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position will be required to work in an outdoor work environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Mows, edges and maintains USF lawn / ground areas. Trims, prunes, & stakes trees, shrubs, vines and plants. Treats foliage, trees, shrubs for insects and weeds with appropriate pesticides and/or fertilizers as needed (using unrestricted chemicals). Performs seasonal maintenance and preparation of grounds such as trimming branches and trees, removing moss from large trees, seasonal planting and fertilization, etc.  Pulls weeds, refuse and other debris from flowerbeds and mulched areas. Plants flowers, shrubs, trees, seeds, bulbs, etc. in flowerbeds or appropriate areas. Performs minor adjustments and repairs to equipment and machinery. Gathers appropriate supplies, materials and landscaping tools.  Check motorized vehicles to ensure they are in good, operative condition for the shift, or oversees this responsibility
Assist with coordinating with contractors and the project operations.  Develops long-term plans, plans work schedules, makes work assignments, and inspects both finished projects as well as work in progress.  Recommends and implements methods and procedures designed to increase overall effectiveness of the grounds operation.  May plan and supervises a preventative maintenance and repair program.
Plans the landscaping schedule for the shift, assigns each Groundskeeper to an area/task, and makes any adjustments as needed.  Monitors Groundskeepers throughout the shift to resolve any problems that arise, ensure landscaping duties are being completed in a timely manner, and confirms that these duties are being performed in accordance with USF standards.  Reports and discusses any serious or recurring problems regarding poor performance, repeated attendance issues, employee relations concerns, etc. with the Grounds Supervisor.
Performs other duties as assigned.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM:
This position requires completion of the 9th grade and one year of landscaping/grounds keeping experience. A valid Florida Driver's License may be required if motorized vehicles of any kind are operated
PREFERRED:
GED and/or trade degree such as electric, plumbing, arboriculture. Experience with handling and maintenance of field equipment such as mowers, chainsaws and tractors.

Information for Applicants 

This position is subject to a Level 1 criminal background check.

Job Opening Number: 37177

Posting Date:  06/07/2024

Posting End Date: 06/21/2024

How to Claim Veteran's Preference: 

This position allows eligible veterans and their spouses to claim Veterans’ Preference pursuant to Florida Statute 295.

Applicants claiming preference are responsible for providing required documentation AT THE TIME OF SUBMITTING APPLICATION; such documentation is required for eligibility determination. 

Supporting documentation, in addition to the DD214, may be required based on eligibility criteria.  If you are submitting a DD 214, please ensure the social security number and date of birth is redacted/removed.

For information on obtaining a DD 214 visit http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ or call 1-866-272-6272.

How To Apply 

Click on the Apply Now button.  When applying to an opening you will have the opportunity to upload a cover letter and resume.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above.  YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME, PLUS ANY OTHER REQUESTED MATERIAL, MUST BE IN ONE ATTACHMENT. Only online applications are accepted for this position.

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To request an accommodation with the application or interview process, please contact Central Human Resources by telephone: 813-974-2970 or email [email protected] .

Equal Employment Opportunity 

USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace.

The University of South Florida does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sexual harassment. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be made at any time either online or directly to the University's Title IX Coordinator.

USF's Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Statement .

Federal Rights

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) , Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) .

Work Location 

Campus map and location overview: USF - Tampa Campus

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

Working at USF 

With more than 16,000 employees at USF, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay region.  At USF you will find opportunities to excel in a rich academic environment that fosters the development and advancement of our employees.  We believe in creating a talented, engaged and driven workforce through on-going development and career opportunities. We also offer a first class benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, tuition program and generous leave programs and more.

To learn more about working at USF please visit: Work Here. Learn Here. Grow Here .

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