Position Purpose:

The Grounds and Maintenance Lead – Horticulture Focus assists the manager in directing employees and all activities in order to meet department operational goals. The expectation is that the Grounds Lead will assign tasks and direct small groups of staff in the performance of those duties. This person will act as a liaison with internal and/or external contacts related to operational issues. They are also expected to perform the functions of a regular Grounds and Maintenance Worker as needed. 

This position is considered “Essential Personnel” in the event that: 

• An emergency occurs on the Bates Campus or in the vicinity that would impact Bates.
• Inclement weather forces the closing of campus.
• Other emergency events deemed appropriate.
• Essential Personnel are required to report to or remain at work if instructed to do so if contacted directly by the supervisor (or his/her designee), the President or a member of the President’s Staff (Sr. Leadership Team.)

Job Duties:

Grounds Lead- General Shared Responsibilities:

• Acts as interim Supervisor or Shop Manager as needed.
• Assists the Supervisor/Manager in providing daily direction to employees, including assigning work orders and project tasks.
• Assists in Quality Assurance (QA) checks on staff work as needed, and provides feedback to employees.
• Promotes and adheres to all safety requirements in performing work.
• Orders parts and materials and assists in tracking inventory.
• Involved in planning and estimating for work orders and projects executed by the shop.
• Provides Supervisor/Manager with input and recommendations for HR processes, including staff evaluations, hiring needs, and potential discipline.
• Acts as a primary point of contact for daily radio calls and urgent requests.
• Coordinate all work through the Work Order system to ensure all activities are documented, and foster a Work Order culture among other staff members by ensuring time is recorded on work orders on a daily basis, and encouraging or assisting others to do the same. Provide input to create preventive maintenance work orders where appropriate.
• Assist in developing Standard Operating Procedure documentation to outline the service level to be provided and to ensure all parties are aligned with expectations.
• May assist the manager in preparing and monitoring the budget.
• Provides training to all regular and new employees where applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

Grounds Lead- Specific Shared Responsibilities:

• Coordinate event support and planning, including setup, breakdown, and needed coverage during an event. Maintain inventory of event support supplies in the shop and in the field and transport items to event and staging areas. Lead the setup and QA checks of stages set up for events. Participate in major campus event logistics planning meetings with campus partners.
• Coordinate, plan and execute snow removal activities, providing support and direction for staff and filling in gaps in staff coverage where needed.
• Plan and execute furniture moving services around campus.
• Coordinate major grounds maintenance activities such as Fall leaf cleanup, Spring cleanup, and grounds quality assurance daily checks.

Grounds Lead - Horticulture Responsibilities:

• Provides technical expertise and leadership in horticulture, arboriculture, landscaping, and erosion control; personally performs horticultural and landscape duties as necessary. 
• Develops landscape designs, prepares recommendations/plans, installs plantings in areas of new construction and renovates existing plantings as needed or requested. 
• Develops work schedules to coincide with appropriate dates for ground preparation, planting, transplanting, spraying, pruning, construction, and manages or instructs grounds staff engaged in these activities. 
• Maintains and evaluates all landscaped beds and gardens during growing season throughout the year. 
• Coordinates landscaping work activities with other trades as needed or required. 
• Maintains indoor plantings in campus buildings. 
• Maintains, inventories, and purchases material for use in the grounds greenhouse. 
• Consults and advises on campus projects for landscaping plant materials selection and placement.
• Manages the grounds greenhouse by purchasing seeds and plants and maintaining proper growth conditions.
• Manages maintenance schedules which includes watering, fertilization, pinching, rotating, etc.)
• Identifies, monitors and controls disease and insect activity through the use of IPM.
• Responsible for creating floral displays for campus events in collaboration with campus partners.
• Trains all grounds personnel in proper horticultural and arboricultural methods and techniques.
• Maintains pesticide applicators license. Uses herbicides when necessary to manage noxious weeds.  Schedules pesticide applications as necessary to control weeds and plant pests.
• Provides input and recommendations to Grounds Maintenance Manager related to horticultural and landscaping budgets for the annual budget process, and monitors budget execution.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• High school diploma or GED required. 
• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Arboriculture, Horticulture or Environmental Conservation or closely related field strongly preferred. 
• State of Maine pesticide applicator license required; Master license and knowledge of Integrated Pest Management practices preferred. 
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification or ability to obtain desired.
• Valid Maine driver’s license and ability to operate a vehicle required. 
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical assessment and background screening is required.

Experience

• 3+ years of related experience in large scale greenhouse or lawn and garden work required. 
• Experience as a horticulturist or as an arborist strongly preferred. 
• Experience with general grounds equipment and machinery required. 
• Knowledge of and experience with snow and ice removal operations preferred. 
• Irrigation operation experience helpful. 
• Experience as a supervisor and trainer/instructor preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) skills. 
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision. 
• Good organizational (time and task management) skills. 
• Strong leadership, team work, and interpersonal skills. Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships. Must be flexible, collaborative and have a positive attitude. 
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, some holidays, evenings and other non-traditional schedules. 
• Proficiency in basic computer applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Ability to learn specific applications as needed, including Maximo work order system basic functions. 
• Ability and willingness to travel (by car, air, train or bus) as needed. 
• Commitment to excellence and the mission of Bates College. 

Benefits:  

Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, 9% retirement contribution with potential for an additional 3% match, 10 days of vacation*, 13 paid holidays, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug- and smoke-free workplace.