Grounds Worker

Responsible for maintenance of campus grounds including trees, lawn, flower beds as well as hardscape features. Uses a variety of machinery such as lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers and hand tools to accomplish tasks.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and welcoming environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Essential Functions:

• Mows large lawn areas with zero-turn mowers and tractors. 

• Edges with a small push type edger, trimming turf away from sidewalks and curb edges.

• Shears shrubs using gas powered hedge clippers.

• Performs hand weeding in flower beds.

• Cuts back brush, small saplings and small branches using hand held loppers.

• Uses a chain saw for the removal of large branches and small trees.

• Plants flowers, shrubs and trees and encourages growth through regular watering. 

• Prunes, hedges, shrubs and trees; cuts flowers and mows lawns; ensures application of fertilizer, pesticides, plant treatments, and other methods to maintain healthy plants and lawns. 

• Assist supervisor in applying fertilizer; aeration and topdressing of turf. 

• Uses leaf blowers, turfvacs, power sweepers and other tools or hands to remove trash and debris from grounds. 

• Operates power equipment such as, but not limited to, ride-on mowers, chippers, power sprayer, aerial-lift truck, flail mower, aerators, edger, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and tractor/loaders as necessary. 

• Responds promptly to work order requests and completes necessary records. 

• Performs minor equipment repair and maintenance as required; sharpens blades, chain saw chains & check and maintain proper lubrication & oil levels.

• Supports campus wide activities in the areas of setups, snow and ice removal including operation of snow removal equipment and any other duties as assigned. 

Work Schedule: 6:30 am - 2:30 pm. This position works 40 hours per week.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent GED.
• Experience of 2- 3 years in maintenance labor or trades is preferred, or a combination of education and experience providing a similar skillset.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) preferred; experience operating commercial vehicles or related equipment is desirable.
• Must be willing to receive additional training as required.
• Committed to following safety guidelines to protect self and others.
• Must be able to follow verbal and written directions and provide responses in writing.
• Ability to use computers to read and respond to emails and to use basic applications is also required.
• Must have and maintain a valid Virginia operator's license.
• As essential personnel, must respond to emergency events and weather conditions.

Application Instructions

Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Required materials include:

• Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references

Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at thttps://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.

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Physical Requirements:

• Fine Motor Manipulation: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.

• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.

• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.

• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.

Working Conditions:

• The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures typically below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour. Consideration should be given to the effect of other environmental conditions such as wind and humidity.

• The worker is subject to vibration: Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.

• The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.

• The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.

Types of Work: Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Position Type:

Non-Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Compensation:

The expected pay rate for this position is between $22.54 - $26.15 per hour. Offers are based on factors such as qualifications, relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Washington and Lee University also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. To learn more about working at W&L and benefits, visit jobs.wlu.edu.

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking candidates committed to high standards of scholarship, performance, professionalism, and to a welcoming campus community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all‐inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.