Sr Groundskeeper

Organizational Summary:

The USF Botanical Gardens is part of the College of Arts and Sciences. It consists of about 16 acres of
gardens and greenbelt on the USF Tampa campus. The Gardens maintains a living collection of more
than 3,000 of plants, animals and natural habitats.

Attracting thousands of visitors annually, the gardens serve as an important outreach component of USF. Plant festivals and other events attract enthusiasts from around the state to shop for rare and unusual plants and learn about sustainable gardening. The Gardens supports ongoing research in medical botany, biology, engineering, for
example, and provide opportunities for service-learning to USF students. From student organizations
to many Tampa Bay area volunteers, there are many ways to get involved on campus.

Position Summary:

Senior Groundskeepers are responsible for assigning and overseeing the work of Groundskeeper, ensuring that all of work for the shift has been completed in an acceptable manner,  and assists in landscaping and maintaining assigned areas. Maintenance of the assigned areas includes keeping the grounds in clean and orderly condition.  Senior Groundskeepers are responsible for general maintenance and upkeep of grounds areas as well as specific detailing of the landscape and flowerbeds.

• Mows, edges and maintains USF lawn / ground areas. 
• Trims, prunes, & stakes trees, shrubs, vines and plants. 
• Treats foliage, trees, shrubs for insects and weeds with appropriate pesticides and/or fertilizers as needed (using unrestricted chemicals). 
• Performs seasonal maintenance and preparation of grounds such as trimming branches and trees, removing moss from large trees, seasonal planting and fertilization, etc.  
• Pulls weeds, refuse and other debris from flowerbeds and mulched areas. 
• Plants flowers, shrubs, trees, seeds, bulbs, etc. in flowerbeds or appropriate areas. 
• Performs minor adjustments and repairs to equipment and machinery. 
• Gathers appropriate supplies, materials and landscaping tools.  
• Check motorized vehicles to ensure they are in good, operative condition for the shift, or oversees this responsibility
• May assist with purchasing of plants and landscaping materials as needed. 
• Assist in projections for new projects within the Garden. 
• Assist with coordinating with contractors and the project operations.  
• Develops long-term plans, plans work schedules, makes work assignments, and inspects both finished projects as well as work in progress.  
• Recommends and implements methods and procedures designed to increase overall effectiveness of the grounds operation.  
• May plan and supervises a preventative maintenance and repair program.
• Plans the landscaping schedule for the shift, assigns each Groundskeeper to an area/task, and makes any adjustments as needed.  
• Continually monitors Groundskeepers through out the shift to resolve any problems that arise, ensure landscaping duties are being completed in a timely manner, and confirms that these duties are being performed in accordance with USF standards.  
• Reports and discusses any serious or recurring problems regarding poor performance, repeated attendance issues, employee relations concerns, etc. with the Grounds Supervisor.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires completion of the 9th grade and one year of landscaping/grounds keeping experience. A valid Florida Driver's License may be required if motorized vehicles of any kind are operated.