Groundskeeper

Choate Rosemary Hall is seeking a full-time Groundskeeper to join its Facilities Department. The Groundskeeper is responsible for the daily maintenance of the school campus during all four seasons and scheduled events.

Primary duties of the role include:

• Perform landscape and turf responsibilities as each season requires while following all safety guidelines and protocols. This includes duties such as pruning, mowing, fertilization, planting and transplanting nursery stock, tree removal, weed control, leaf pick up, irrigation systems, and snow removal.
• Help prepare athletic fields and surfaces to ensure they are safe and ready to use while following all safety guidelines and protocols. This includes grooming fields and tennis court maintenance.
• Perform tasks and duties required for special events throughout the year, such as graduation, alumni and family weekend, reunion weekend, and other events.
• Respond in a timely manner to emergency situations on campus such as snow and ice removal, flooding, limbs/ trees down and other severe weather problems.
• Provide support to other departments with the care of campus infrastructure.

Additional secondary duties as described:

• Assist in athletics set-up as necessary
• Other duties as assigned

JOB QUALIFICATIONS: MINIMUM KSA'S (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES) REQUIRED FOR PLACEMENT IN POSITION

• Accountability, honesty, integrity
• Ability to work independently
• Strong customer service orientation with both internal and external contacts
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with various levels of school personnel
• Ability to work in inclement weather conditions
• Ability to understand and follow all applicable safety guidelines and protocols
• Knowledge and competent skills and experience in grounds keeping maintenance
• Good oral and written communication skills, ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Basic computer skills
• Able to fulfill scheduled "on call" responsibilities

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Prior experience:

• 1 year minimum grounds experience or education
• Previous experience using grounds equipment, tractors, large mowing equipment, power tools, hand tools etc.

Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid driver's license
• State of CT Applicators license required or must obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Master Gardener certified (or similar) preferred

Specialized training in:

• Basic knowledge of tree care
• Basic landscape maintenance skills and knowledge
• Knowledge on identification of invasive species preferred
• Tree, shrubs and turf care, preferred
• Knowledge of organic plant and turf care preferred
• Knowledge of integrated pest management preferred

Other Key Competencies:

• Strong customer service orientation
• Sound judgment, able to remain cool under pressure
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Teambuilding skills; development and maintenance of positive interpersonal relationships
• Strong oral communications, presentation skills, writing ability
• Fluent (read/write/speak) in English language
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Interpersonal skills -displays a high level of tact, diplomacy, and professionalism
• Planning/organizing -plans work activities and uses time efficiently
• Quality control -demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Adaptability -adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
• Resourcefulness - ability to seek out and use cutting edge resources (products, training, etc.) to ensure the job is being done as efficiently as possible
• Proficient use in operating a computer
• Willingness to participate in school sponsored training and educational opportunities