Groundskeeper

The Physical Plant Department at Wofford College invites applications for a full-time groundskeeper. Reporting directly to the grounds supervisor in the physical plant, this position is a valued member of the groundskeeping crew and primarily is involved and responsible for working all phases of overall groundskeeping and grounds maintenance on the Wofford College campus. Tasks include, but are not limited to: lawn, shrub and tree care as well as parking lots and sidewalk clearance and maintenance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

70% Groundskeeping and landscapin

• Landscaping: Mulches, weeds, removes thatch, aerates and trims and edges around flower beds,

• walks, pathways and walls.

• Prepares planting beds with hand and power tools; integrates soil amendments; plants bulbs, flowers, ground covers, trees and shrubs; applies mulch.

• Prunes trees, shrubs, vines and hedges.

• Applies seed, fertilizer and chemicals as required.

• Lawn care: Mows, trims and edges turf areas using riding mower, push mower, weed whip and edger.

• Rakes/blows leaves with appropriate equipment as wells as performs snow and ice removal with hand tools and power equipment.

• Grounds maintenance: Ensures walkways, sidewalks and parking lots are clear of debris, leaves, shrubs, snow, ice, etc.

• Removes any/all debris using proper equipment, tools and pruning and/or removal techniques.

30% Maintenance and administrative function/support

• Performs minor equipment maintenance as required to ensure equipment/tools are operational.

• Required to attend training and/or seminars to stay abreast of current operational or safety standards, techniques and/or requirements.

• Performs other duties/tasks as assigned, including appointment and/or election to assigned committees or service work/contribution to the college.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Overall knowledge of supplies, techniques, skills, materials and methods of landscaping and maintenance of lawns and formal plantings.

• Overall knowledge of appropriate tools and equipment operations, uses and techniques necessary to accomplish a task/job involved in grounds maintenance and landscaping.

• Experience and skill to operate effectively and safely many of the following: riding and push mower, power tiller, power edger, weed eater, blower, sprayer, tractor, skid steer loader, dump-bed truck and basic hand and power tools.
• Skilled knowledge and experience performing minor maintenance of grounds-related equipment.

• Experience and knowledge of safety requirements, polices and applicable procedures, including (but not limited to) OSHA and other federal and/or state regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• One year of landscaping, grounds or maintenance-related work experience is required.

• A current and valid driver’s license to use Wofford vehicles to transport supplies/equipment.

• Ability to lift and carry minimally 50 pounds.

As a valued member of the groundskeeping crew, reliability and timely reporting in addition to adhering to the work schedule and/or assigned shift is required. This position requires sitting, standing, walking, climbing/ladders, squatting/kneeling, reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling, twisting/bending, lifting/carrying and, at times, maneuvering up to 50 pounds at multiple times per shift, in working conditions that predominately are outdoors, in which the incumbent may be subject to frequent exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures or uncomfortable weather and/or environmental conditions for prolonged periods of time.

ABOUT WOFFORD COLLEGE

Wofford College, established in 1854, is a private liberal arts residential college located a few blocks north of downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina. Wofford offers 27 major fields of study to a student body of nearly 1,800 undergraduates and is nationally known for the strength of its academic program, outstanding faculty, and study abroad participation. Wofford is home to one of the nation’s 290 Phi Beta Kappa chapters. The college community supports 19 NCAA Division I athletics teams and numerous student organizations, including honor societies, professional organizations, faith-based organizations, Greek life, and club sports.

SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA

Spartanburg is located in upstate South Carolina, 30 miles east of Greenville, South Carolina, an hour from Charlotte, North Carolina, and three hours east of Atlanta, Georgia. Historic Charleston and the South Carolina coast are three hours away, and Wofford sits an hour south of the artistic, culinary hub of Asheville, North Carolina. Spartanburg is a growing, diverse community that supports six college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations. It became the first city in South Carolina to join the Government Alliance on Race and Equity and, in 2012, became one of five cities nationally to participate in the 10-year Wellville program, a national nonprofit initiative dedicated to improving equitable well-being in U.S. cities. Spartanburg and Wofford partner on multiple community equity initiatives, including the Northside Initiative, which has brought together a diverse group of citizens to revitalize a neighborhood in ways that don’t reproduce the harm of earlier urban renewal programs.

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