Groundskeeper

Summerfield Waldorf School is seeking a Groundskeeper to tend and maintain our incredible 40-acre campus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Performs general grounds maintenance work including but not limited to watering and mowing lawns, weed eating grounds, planting, pruning, weeding and blowing.
  • Management of poison oak and tree care.
  • Blows and sweeps sidewalks, parking lots and other assigned areas.
  • Maintains athletic fields and prepares them for events.
  • Operates and maintains mowers, weed eaters, electric cart and other equipment used in the care of grounds to ensure they are available and in a safe condition when needed.
  • Maintain Grounds Maintenance Office and storage of tools and equipment in an organized fashion.
  • Make tools available for student use and be available to consult with teachers on various student projects.
  • May drive a school vehicle for other tasks as needed and as assigned.
  • Inspect mower for safe and proper operation. Arrange for repairs and regular service as needed.
  • Monitor campus for necessary grounds maintenance work to assure safety, resolve problems or notify others as appropriate.
  • Maintain routine records of work orders, equipment repair and maintenance, and chemical applications.
  • Repair sprinkler and irrigation pipes, as well as controllers and timers.
  • Respond to emergency calls outside of normal work hours.

Knowledge and Abilities

  • Methods, materials and equipment used in the care of school grounds.
  • Basic grounds maintenance procedures including mowing, edging, raking and weeding.
  • Safe work procedures in the operation of hand and power tools and equipment.
  • Cultivating, fertilizing and watering of flowers, trees, shrubs, grass, etc.
  • Knowledge of organic herbicides used in grounds maintenance, controlling pests, insects and weeds (Summerfield is certified Bio-Dynamic – no chemicals may be used on campus).
  • Operation and maintenance of hand and power tools and equipment used in grounds keeping.
  • Read and understand Material Safety Data Sheets.
  • Safe and defensive driving practices and methods.
  • Oral and written communication skills.
  • Utilize independent judgement in performing grounds maintenance and activities.
  • Perform heavy physical labor.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

  • Indoor/outdoor environment subject to changing conditions and temperatures exceeding 90 degrees at times
  • Regular exposures to fumes, dust, dirt, oil/grease, odors, heights and loud noises.
  • Driving a vehicle to conduct work.
  • Working on ladders at varying heights.
  • Direct contact with the public, students, faculty and staff.
  • Working with or around machinery with moving parts.
  • Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a variety of custodial and grounds equipment.
  • Standing and walking for extended periods of time.
  • Clarity of vision at varying distances to perform custodial and grounds duties.
  • Verbal, auditory, and written capabilities to effectively communicate in an articulate manner.
  • Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling object(s) weighing up to 75 pounds.
  • Occasional bending, kneeling and crouching.
  • Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.
  • Working with chemicals, tools and powered machinery.

Qualifications

  • Previous landscaping and irrigation experience.
  • Ability and willingness to take direction.
  • Ability and willingness to learn to use special tools.
  • Ability to speak, read and write English.

Compensation: $27-$31/hour based on experience.

Please email your letter of intention, along with a resume, to Michelle Bovard, Human Resources Manager, at michelle@summerfieldwaldorf.org. Please also include three professional references (with phone numbers).

655 Willowside Road Santa Rosa, CA 95401 ph (707) 575-7194 www.summerfieldwaldorf.org