Groundskeeper IV

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Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Groundskeeper IV (Senior Groundskeeper) performs highly complex (senior level) groundskeeping work at a State Hospital. The Senior Groundskeeper maintains and improves the appearance of grounds and flower beds for the hospitals, including mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and ensuring the effective operations of sprinkler systems. Removes plants and trims trees and shrubs. Assigns and prioritizes the work of other groundskeeping staff to accomplish daily and weekly tasks most effectively. Serves a team lead on groundskeeping projects and maintains the schedules for routine work. The Senior Groundskeeper safely and efficiently operates power and gas-operated equipment to complete duties and trains others to use the equipment. The Senior Groundskeeper ensures grounds keeping tools, supplies, and equipment are well maintained and accounted for. Performs minor repairs on equipment in accordance with training and skill level. The Senior Groundskeeper ensures parking lots, roads, fences, and sidewalks are free from obstructions and in good repair. The Senior Groundskeeper minimizes the presence and impact of nuisance animals at the hospitals (e.g., snakes, rodents, and feral cats). The Senior Groundskeeper performs some maintenance duties as needed in conjunction with maintenance staff. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Performs groundskeeping duties at the hospital including mowing, trimming, fertilizing, removing, and planting trees and shrubs. Ensures the safe and effective use of gas and power-operated tools to complete work efficiently. Trains other staff to use tools commensurate with skill and ability.

Implements the daily, weekly, and monthly scheduling of work in the groundskeeping department, such as schedules for treating insects around buildings, trimming of hedges, litter control, and mowing. Assigns, prioritizes and leads the work of other groundskeepers to ensure all tasks are completed as required on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis in accordance with the groundskeeping schedule. Designates and assigns mowing and weed eating areas (zones of the campus) to other groundskeepers.

Oversees the quality of work for other groundskeepers and assists as necessary assuring proper results. Reports any significant issues to the supervisor for handling.

Initiates and executes projects for hospital beautification, such as designing and planting new flowerbeds, with the approval of the supervisor. Ensures sprinkler systems are in working order.

Operates tractors with implements such as front-end loaders and backhoes for digging out tree stumps, cleaning up debris, moving large amounts of gravel, sand, mulch, and other landscaping materials, and helps dig out areas for tree planting or if there is a water line break.

Ensures roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are safe and free from debris and reports any major issues to supervisor. Assists with conducting sidewalk surveys and documents on a plot plan as is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in an effort to reduce slips, trips, and falls. Works beyond normal duty hours during inclement weather to remove ice or snow from sidewalks, roadways, and clears debris from catch basins during heavy rain as needed.

Minimizes the presence and impact of nuisance animals (e.g., snakes, rodents, and feral cats). Takes action to safely and humanely trap and remove live animals, disposes appropriately of dead animals, and takes proactive measures to abate future issues.

Performs general maintenance, repairs, and construction work for the hospital in collaboration with maintenance staff commensurate with skills and abilities.

If the hospital has a cemetery, performs cemetery duties to include maintaining grounds, setting head stones, excavating graves for funerals, and setting up casket devices and tents. Maintains burial logs and ensures proper lifetime retention of logs in a secure location with backup log on server.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge, skills, and ability to safely fell and remove large trees in and around buildings and other infrastructures.

Knowledge, skills, and ability associated with minimizing the presence of nuisance animals such as rodents, snakes and feral cats.

Knowledge of horticulture and landscape design; and the skills and ability to apply that knowledge to landscape projects.

Skills in safely operating power equipment such as mowers, power clippers, tractors, chain saws, backhoes, and/or pruning shears, and a variety of a variety of hand and power tools used in construction/repair, and ability to teach/train others to safely use this equipment.

Ability to read, understand, and apply a variety of inter-related instructions such as those found in guidelines, regulations, and policies.

Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to follow written and oral instructions.

Ability to coach, train, and lead others

Ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time.

Ability to work in hot and/or cold conditions.

Ability to work harmoniously and productively with co-workers and patients.

Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.

Ability to withstand long periods of standing, bending and walking.

Ability to maintain and care for hand and power tools and equipment.

Ability to teach other groundskeepers to detect diseases in plants and grasses.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Nine (9) months of experience as an operating power equipment (e.g., mowers, electric clippers, tractors, chain saws, sod cutter, pruning shears) required.

Nine (9) months of experience as a laborer, farmer, gardener, florist helper, groundskeeper, or similar work involving general duties which may include the planting and maintenance of vegetation, landscaping, nursery inspections, or equivalent to a Groundskeeper required.

Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent preferred

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.