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
