Groundskeeper jobs in Newton, MA

Position: Groundskeeper

Department: Facilities Services

Location: Facilities Operations Building, Milton Academy Campus, Milton, MA

Hours: Tue-Sat 7:30 am-4pm, generally; some flexibility required

FLSA: Non-exempt

Classification: Staff (12 month)

Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located just outside of Boston.

Milton Academy cultivates in our students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Milton students grow by developing their own identities, learning from and listening to the lived experiences of others, and living and working among peers whose differences they accept with respect and care.

In our ongoing work to create an environment that confronts bias, injustice, and bigotry, we encourage each other to be open to learning, explore our histories and identities, and seek to understand the world around us with a critical lens. At Milton, we prepare students to partner with their future communities to create a more just world, and to have the courage to speak up and live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”

Summary of Position:

The Milton Academy Groundskeeper II performs semi-skilled labor to clean, repair, improve, treat and maintain Milton Academy’s turf, shrubs, trees, flower beds, grounds and athletic fields while also providing physical support for the set up and dismantling of material and equipment for various scheduled and special events throughout the year. The individual in this position must work collaboratively with Facilities Services team and have a customer service orientation to working with students, faculty, and staff.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Cultivates, maintains, repairs and restores turf, athletic fields and trees through mowing, weeding, raking, aerating, de-thatching, seeding, mulching, pruning, fertilizing and other similar activities; observes, inspects and maintains campus irrigation systems.

2. Assist in measuring, staking, and establishing the layout of athletic fields for outdoor sports. Assemblies; maintains and repairs various outdoor athletic equipment including goals and batting cages.

3. Hand picks, gathers, collects, loads and transports litter/debris from and about the Academy grounds.

4. Transports, moves, loads, sets up and dismantles tables, chairs, platforms, materials and equipment in support of various events

5. Participates in snow removal activities; drives vehicles and equipment with snowplows, brushes, blowers, salt/sand spreaders and shovels.

6. Assist in the opening and closing of the outdoor pool.

7. Provides help and assistance as needed/requested by other grounds members.

8. Operates, inspects and conducts regular maintenance and minor repairs to vehicles and grounds equipment.

9. Other duties as assigned.

Supervision to be received: Supervised by the Associate Director of Grounds.

Supervision to be exercised: none

Education/Certification/Licensure

Required: High School Diploma, or equivalent; valid driver’s license

Preferred: Pesticide license
Hoisting engineer license
Small engine repair experience

Experience

Required: Three years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience in horticulture, grounds maintenance, grounds equipment and athletic field operations.

Preferred: Five years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience in horticulture, grounds maintenance, grounds equipment and athletic field operations.

Physical Abilities:

Required: Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds; must be able to work in the elements and extreme conditions; must know how to use a snow shovel

Other required experience and abilities:

• Ability to be flexible and work collaboratively.

• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks in a fast-paced work environment.

• Must understand issues of confidentiality

• Act in a manner that is respectful, generous toward others, supportive of colleagues, and based in a belief in the competence and good intentions of all members of the community.

• Communicate openly and promptly, supporting colleagues, students, and the integrity of the institution in conversations with students and parents.

• Strive to grow and improve professionally, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development in alignment with the upper school’s growth statements.

• Exhibit skills in collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

• Meet deadlines.

• Complete school-required training.

• Abide by the school’s policies and procedures as outlined in the provided handbooks.

• Communicate with the appropriate supervisor when unable to meet any professional obligation.

All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and inform your supervisor as soon as possible.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

An equal opportunity employer, Milton embraces diversity and the pursuit of excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race (including natural and protective hairstyle), color, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, religious creed, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship, national or ethnic origin or any other status protected by applicable law.