8416 Grounds Foreman

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Grounds Foreman

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 8416

GRADE 24

CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Grounds Supervisor

MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Superintendent of Custodial and Grounds Services

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Grounds Foreman performs technical grounds work and provides on-site coordination, quality control, and leadership of Grounds employees in work primarily related to the following areas: 1) woody plants, herbaceous plants, and ornamental pest management; 2) turf, field preparation, irrigation, and turf pest management; 3) transit area maintenance, debris and trash control, and hardscape work. The Grounds Foreman assists in training employees in proper Grounds procedures in the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and vehicles for technical work and the technical aspects of installation, application, maintenance, and removal of plants and materials.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Education or training in Horticulture, Plant Science or related field is preferred.

Experience: At least two years full-time experience in a full range of grounds keeping functions is required. These include installation, maintenance, repair, and renovation of turf, athletic fields, irrigation, woody plants, herbaceous plants, integrated pest management, debris removal/trash receptacle sanitation, thoroughfare and transit maintenance (streets, sidewalks, parking lots, etc.), hardscape (fences, rock walls, etc.), maintenance of tools, equipment, vehicles, etc and clerical requirements related to the position; an Associate’s degree in horticulture or a related field may be substituted for one of the two years of experience required. Supervisory or leadership experience or training is preferred.

Skills: Supervisory skills, organizational skills and effective oral and written communication skills are required in the planning, organizing, motivating, and coaching of a team or multiple teams. Technical knowledge of groundskeeping functions, good groundskeeping assessment skills, and effective problem solving skills are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

Effort: Requires the ability to lift and carry groundskeeping supplies and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis and up to 100 pounds on an occasional basis, prolonged walking or standing, and frequent bending or stooping, kneeling and reaching on a daily basis. Requires a full range of physical motion in order to operate manual, electric, gasoline, and diesel-powered equipment and machines, hand and power tools and equipment associated with technical grounds work. Requires the ability to access facilities and areas that may only be accessible by climbing stairs or by climbing ladders to a height of 15 feet. Must be able to move throughout assigned areas, as the work is performed primarily out-of-doors, year round. The Grounds Foreman may also be assigned responsibility for supervision of the grounds maintenance effort during weekend or holiday periods. Employees in this job classification (job title) are designated as essential employees and must report to work as scheduled when University offices are closed due to severe weather.

License: Must have a valid Missouri motor vehicle operator's license. A State of Missouri Public Operator's License for application of restricted use pesticides to turf or ornamental plants is preferred.

Other: The scope of the position requires exposure to and use of chemical compounds for application on trees, shrubs, ground cover, flowers, and grasses which may be hazardous and cause injury if specific instructions regarding their mixture, application, use and disposal/storage are not properly followed. Must be available by phone for call-outs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Works on-site, performing all levels of grounds work either alone, as leader of a team, or as a leader of several teams simultaneously.

2. Provides on-site coordination of work for Groundskeepers, Groundskeeper Apprentices, temporary employees, and/or student workers directly by using both verbal and written instructions in compliance with the guidelines provided by the immediate supervisor and using independent judgment in instances not covered by the guidelines.

3. Ensures that the quality of grounds work meets established guidelines by performing the work, participating in the development and revision of work guidelines, inspecting the work of grounds personnel, providing necessary training and directing corrective measures to be taken when necessary to meet those guidelines.

4. Develops an effective team by instructing employees and supervising the proper use of tools, materials, and equipment for safe and efficient work performance and assuring that the work is accomplished in the most efficient manner possible.

5. Actively seeks and applies up to date technical knowledge by performing technical work or by leading a team in the performance of technical grounds work.

6. Selects, utilizes, and evaluates procedures, materials, tools, and equipment appropriate for the task.

7. May be assigned duties of the Grounds Supervisor in his/her absence.

8. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

9. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Superintendent of Custodial and Grounds Services.

10. Contributes to the overall success of the Grounds Department by performing all other tasks assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Grounds Foreman provides limited supervision of the work of full-time Groundskeepers and Groundskeeper Apprentices, temporary employees, and student workers and is supervised by the Grounds Supervisor.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

REVISED JANUARY 2017

JOB FAMILY 2

Factor 1: Educational Requirements of the Job

Level 2.0 - 100 Points: The job requires a high school diploma or equivalent.

Factor 2: Skill Requirements - Craft and Trade Skills

Level 3.0 - 550 Points: General mechanical or technical aptitude and specific knowledge and experience in a skill, craft, or trade. The ability to perform standard procedures, operations, and/or operate specific equipment, that is required through at least two years of experience and previous training is required.

Factor 3: Managerial Responsibility

Level 2.0 - 75 Points: Irregular but occasional responsibility to direct the work of student workers or temporary or part-time workers. The nature of supervision is largely confined to assigning tasks to others and does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities. Responsibilities at this level may include tracking budgeted spending, limited purchasing authority, and tracking inventory.

Factor 4: Guidelines

Level 3.0 - 90 Points: Procedures and standards exist, but considerable latitude in applying procedures and selecting a sequence of activities must be exercised. The employee uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents, and work directions for application to specific cases or problems. The employee analyzes results and recommends changes.

Factor 5: Contacts

Level 3.0 - 100 Points: The purpose is to advise or counsel students, coworkers, or the general public, or to plan or coordinate work efforts with other employees who are working toward common goals and where relationships are generally cooperative. Contacts are moderately structured and routine.

Factor 6: Work Environment

Level 3.0 - 70 Points: The work area involves moderate discomfort and/or risk such as operating heavy machinery or dangerous equipment, or frequent exposure to hazardous materials. Alternatively, the work area may be subject to environmental discomfort such as poor ventilation. Loud noises, and/or extremes of heat or cold. The work often requires wearing protective gear that may be uncomfortable. The nature of the work environment may produce moderate levels of stress.

Factor 7: Physical Demands

Level 4.0 - 150 Points: Work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as climbing ladders, frequent lifting of objects over 50 pounds, crawling or crouching in restricted areas. Occasional lifting of heavy objects weighing 75 pounds or more is required.

Factor 8: Responsibility for Facilities and Resources

Level 2.0 - 40 Points: Jobs at this level might require frequent but routine responsibility for facility security, public safety, equipment, or money.

Factor 9: Complexity

Level 3.0 - 450 Points: The work includes various duties involving different and unrelated processes and methods. Decisions regarding what needs to be done depend upon knowledge of the duties, priorities, commitments, policies, and program goals of the supervisor and the department and involve the analysis of the subject, phase, or issues involved in each project or assignment, and the course of action may have to be selected from many alternatives. The work involves elements that must be identified and analyzed to discern interrelationships.