Groundskeeper & Zamboni Driver - Middlesex School

Summary/objective

Under the supervision of the Foreperson of Grounds, execute on all matters related to grounds, landscaping, athletics fields/facilities, and natural resources with a team of 6 groundskeepers across a 350-acre campus with buildings totaling over 500,000 square feet.

Schedule

This position has a hybrid schedule: between mid-November and March the schedule is Monday-Friday 1:30PM-10PM, and for the rest of the time it is generally Monday through Friday 7am – 3:30pm with some Saturday work as needed.  During the period of November through March, the focus of the role will be on ice rink maintenance.

Essential functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Participates in the execution of routine maintenance schedules for grounds, landscaping, athletics fields/facilities, and natural resources on campus.
• Maintains the ice rink during the hockey season, to include basic equipment oversight.
• Operates the Zamboni (Ice re-surfacer vehicle) in preparation for, and during, tournaments, rink rentals, and other school-scheduled events.
• Maintain and improve the integrity of the school’s grounds, playing fields, forests, ponds, undeveloped lands, etc.
• Collects and discards litter or other waste materials.
• Operates a variety of maintenance equipment such as shovels, rakes, or saws to complete assignments.
• Operates power equipment and other vehicles such as tractors, mowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, or other similar machines.
• Ensures proper hydration of lawns, trees, and plants using sprinkler systems, hoses, watering cans, or irrigation systems.
• Trims trees and vegetation and maintains flower beds.
• Maintains sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, memorial sites, or other features; performs general cleaning and snow removal.
• Plans and cultivates lawns, turf, or gardens and, based on landscaping designs, determines further work that should occur.
• Delivers and spreads topsoil and/or straw over newly seeded areas.
• Prepares chemicals as needed for application by mixing according to directions.
• Applies fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees by spraying or spreading.
• Where artificial turf is used, periodically replaces cushion pads; vacuums and disinfects turf after use.
• Performs regular and seasonal maintenance on irrigation systems including any necessary winterizing procedures.
• Installs and maintains specialty features such as rock gardens, retaining walls, decks, or playground equipment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to partner and coordinate with other teams and departments to accomplish the school’s goals.
• Respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of School life.
• Organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of community groups including students, parents, staff, faculty, and city/state officials.
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize work.
• Sufficient ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to complete work efficiently, effectively, courteously, and to coordinate with other leaders within the department and across the organization.
• Ability to analyze emergency situations accurately and take prompt action.

Work environment

• Out of doors in all weather conditions known to the New England environment.

Physical demands

• Remain standing and walking for 8 hours per day regularly and up to 12 hours per day as needed seasonally.
• Ability to go up and down flights of steps.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull heavy objects.
• Ability to stoop, squat, bend, kneel, crouch, and lift.
• Ability to walk behind and safely operate complex mobile machinery.
• Ability to sit and safely operate complex mobile machinery.
• Must be able to lift and/or move, without assistance 10 pounds at a time regularly, 50 pounds frequently, and 100+ pounds occasionally.
• Ability to traverse various areas of the facility (including unpaved areas, dirt paths, uneven terrain, etc.) to conduct inspections and execute grounds maintenance.
• Ability to withstand exposure to inclement weather (rain, snow, sleet, freezing temperatures, etc.).
• Communication skills using the spoken and written word.
• Ability to see with normal parameters.
• Ability to hear within normal range.
• Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.

Travel required

• None

Required education and experience

• Education sufficient to read, write, and speak as needed for the job.
• Possess and maintain valid driver’s license.  

Additional eligibility requirements

• Fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
• Able to successfully complete MVR, CHRI, CORI, and SORI checks.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.