Position Summary

The University of Southern Indiana is accepting applications for Lead Grounds Maintenance Worker - Housing.

As a working supervisor, assist Grounds Supervisor in scheduling, directing, performing and overseeing the seasonal tasks relating to general upkeep of landscaped and turf areas; roads and walkways; parking lots; lakes, streams, and watersheds; playing fields and recreational facilities; University property, the University housing complex and Historic New Harmony grounds; and minor construction projects.

Duties/Responsibilities 

• Assist in planning and coordinating daily work schedule for department employees as directed by the Grounds Supervisor.
• Assist in determining methods and standards for work, allocating machines and equipment, and assigning tasks to accomplish seasonal programs for all grounds maintenance areas.
• Supervise the work of others in the grounds maintenance areas in the absence of the Grounds Supervisor or as necessary.
• Work from blueprints, landscape plans, sketches, work orders or oral instruction to landscape areas and construct outdoor facilities.
• Coordinate the operation of complex and specialized grounds maintenance equipment to apply herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers.
• Maintain inventories, warehouses supplies and equipment pertaining to landscaping, grounds development and maintenance.
• Coordinate and lead regular employees, seasonal and temporary employees and student workers in seeding, sodding, aerating, fertilizing, mowing and trimming of turf areas and removal of trash and debris.
• Assist in interviewing and selecting applicants for grounds worker positions available as needed.
• Assist in the coordination with civic groups and University departments to provide setup support for outdoor events and athletic programs.
• Prepare and conduct employee 30-day, 60-day, 90-day and annual performance evaluations.
• Assist the Grounds Supervisor in disciplinary actions as required.
• Inspect and report to the Grounds Supervisor the condition of grounds and landscaping areas to plan daily work.
• Coordinate the purchase of equipment and supplies for the grounds maintenance program. Prepare requisitions for purchase of materials and supplies.
• Act as liaison between vendors and the University ensuring best product for best price is achieved.
• Collect, check, and verify all payroll time sheets for support staff and student workers. Assist in Resolving areas of discrepancies when necessary.
• Plan and develop preventative and regular maintenance programs for the athletic fields (i.e. formulating chemical programs involving fertilizing, soil amendments, insecticides, pre emergent and post emergent).
• Assist in supervising the maintenance of University roads, walkways, parking lots, and loading docks to include minor paving, patching, grading, ditching, and snow removal.
• Assist certified ground maintenance workers in applying chemicals, pesticides and herbicides to trees, shrubs and turf.
• Assist in supervising the maintenance of vehicular equipment to include trucks, tractors, mowers and towed or mounted equipment i.e. sprayers, spreaders, loaders, plows, discs, blades, aerators, seeders and rollers; hand and powered tools to include saws, augers, trim mowers, week cutters, pruning shears, shovels, and hoes.
• Coordinate and plan seasonal planting and pruning programs. Tend to minor tree plant diseases.
• Plan and execute basic landscaping designs and plant selections to achieve erosion control and enhance wildlife habitats.
• Develop and maintain outdoor facilities to include playing fields, shelter houses, fences, picnic areas, campgrounds, recreational facilities, fishing areas, nature trails, and fences.
• Instruct employees on safety use of equipment and pesticide applications.
• Attend seminars on the application of pesticides as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• High school diploma/GED required.
• Experience operating specialized equipment and a working knowledge of turf maintenance, diseases, chemicals, and agriculture/horticulture/landscaping required.
• Certified or eligible for certification in use of herbicides and pesticides required.
• One year of previous supervisory experience required.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

Three years’ experience in ground maintenance preferred.

About USI           

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for this position include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 7% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees/75% for spouses and dependent children.
• Accrue up to 10 paid vacation days per fiscal year – accrual increases after 4, 7, and 11 years of service

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the manager of Employment at mcweinzapf@usi.edu or (812) 464-1840. Contacting the manager of Employment is intended for use in seeking disability-related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at HumanRes@usi.edu or (812) 464-1815.

EEO Statement

USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.