General Summary

The Groundskeeper within the City's Parks Division performs responsible, routine work in the maintenance and cleaning of grounds in city parks, recreational facilities, schools, right-of-way, and/or the Downtown Mall. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Groundskeeper Supervisor.

The hiring amount for this position is between $19.12 to $23.50 an hour ($39,769.60 - $48,880.00 Annually). Starting pay for this position is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.

Essential Responsibilities And Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

Maintains parks, schools, downtown mall, right- of-way, and/or recreational facilities, by performing a variety of activities including but not limited to:
- mowing and weeding grass, planting and mulching, and planting trees
- dragging and lining ballfields, preparing fields after the season by adding dirt and cutting sod, and grass removal off field
- fertilizing and reseeding turf.
- pruning and trimming trees and shrubs, limbs and felling trees as needed
- finding and digging urn graves, and marking areas for full graves and head stones
- managing fallen leaves; clearing and removing snow and ice off walkways
- clears and removes snow from walkways, parks and other assigned areas
- cleaning up trash and debris
Operates city vehicle in the performance of duties; operates and maintains basic equipment engaged in routine maintenance and construction projects.
Completes all work according to maintenance standards and ensures proper care in the use and upkeep of equipment assigned, reporting issues and needs to supervisor.
Follows safety regulations and standard procedures, adhering to checklists and following detailed instructions for task completion.
Solves simple problems and actively seeks guidance when appropriate.
May be required to work weekends, nights, holidays or to be called back to work in weather or non-weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public.
Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience And Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

High School diploma or GED AND some related experience in groundskeeping, turf maintenance, landscaping, or related area.

At least 2 years of related experience in groundskeeping, turf maintenance, landscaping, or related area.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

Obtain VDOT Flagger Certification within 6 months of hire.
Obtain Registered Technician Pesticide License within 12 months of hire.
Must obtain and maintain a Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, physical, and drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Other Characteristics

Job Knowledge

General knowledge of the maintenance, grounds, and manual tasks of the area assigned.
General knowledge of the use of common hand tools and specialized power tools required in the work.
General knowledge of the safe use and operation and preventive maintenance of mechanical equipment required in the work.
Basic knowledge of occupational hazards and safety requirements of the trade.

Reading

Basic: ability to understand the meaning of commonly used multi-syllable words and simple paragraphs. Comprehends simple written instructions, work orders, construction plans, drawings, signs, and notices.

Writing

Basic: writing skill to write and provide simple letters, information, documentation, and/or record on maintenance needs, repairs, and/or series of numbers and addresses.

Math

Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Communication Skills

Routine: Regular & routine interaction involving providing or exchanging basic information, explain issues and concerns, listen to others and to identify maintenance and repair issues or problems. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and others.

Independence and Decision-Making

Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.

Technical Skills

Basic: uses standard technical skills appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities to provide preventive and routine maintenance, construction, and repair. May need entry level skill in Word, Excel and/or departmental software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory duties. May occasionally guide volunteers or seasonal employees.

Other Characteristics

Working closely with others as part of a team.
Performs duties under sometimes strict time constraints.
Subject to weather and non-weather emergency response, call backs, and standby call with minimum response time requirements.
May require a non-traditional schedule.
May require employees to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends and/or additional hours outside normal schedule.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Ability to perform manual labor including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, handling, grasping, feeling, standing for sustained periods of time, and moving about parks and construction sites.
Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

Typically requires the use of manual and mechanical equipment related to maintenance, grounds, and repair; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

Work is performed outside where there may be exposure to vibrations, moving mechanical parts, outdoor weather conditions, chemicals/hazardous waste, blood-borne pathogens, electrical hazards, inadequate lighting, confined spaces, uneven terrain, fumes/airborne particles and fuels.
The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat, safety vest, steel-toe shoes, etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.
The noise level is usually loud to intense.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.

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