The role of Laborer/Grounds is to provide grounds maintenance services and labor support for general district maintenance activities; ensuring attractive and safe grounds; protecting against erosion; performing a variety of special grounds maintenance operations; and maintaining grounds for assemblies, events and/or recreational activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists crafts as needed for the purpose of completing maintenance tasks in a timely and quality manner.
• Plants and maintains landscaping areas (e.g. lawns, shrubs, flowers, etc.) for the purpose of keeping the grounds attractive and protecting against erosion.
• Trims trees & brushes and remove weeds from landscape areas.
• May remove graffiti from walls using chemicals and/or power equipment
• Moves and/or disposes of furniture and other large items as needed.
• Clears snow and ice as need, when needed, from District parking lots, sidewalks and stairs.
• Repairs damaged asphalt, concrete, and fences for the purpose of enhancing the attractiveness and safety of district areas.
• Requests materials, supplies, equipment, and/or support personnel for the purpose of completing assignments in a timely manner.
• Responds to immediate safety and/or operational concerns (e.g. snow and ice conditions, storm damage, water main breaks, etc.) for the purpose of taking appropriate action or notifying appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Runs heavy equipment for the purpose of performing the necessary tasks of removing trees, brush, snow, etc. from district grounds.
• Transports a variety of tools, equipment, supplies, etc. for the purpose of ensuring the availability of materials required at job site. Knowledgeable in landscape and grounds maintenance terminology.

Able to use the following tools:

• Rollers
• Spraying equipment
• Wire brushes
• Ladders and scaffolding
• Hammer
• Shovel, pickax
• Trucks able to plow and remove snow
• Lawn mowers
• Attends unit meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc. for the purpose of gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School, trade and/or vocational school.
• Minimum of one (1) year work experience as a laborer and/or groundskeeper or equivalent work experience with an emphasis in grounds and landscaping materials.
• Verifiable experience and skill with heavy equipment (back hoe, skid steer, dump truck) operation is highly desirable.
• Experience operating snow removal equipment (snow plow, skid steer) preferred.
• Employee shall have a valid driver’s license at the time of his/her employment with the Kansas City Kansas USD #500 School District. IF, at any time during his/her employment, the employee should lose their driver’s license and/or their driver’s license suspended for any reason, the employee shall immediately notify the Director of Physical Properties.
• Preferred: Knowledge of public schools or university operations.

COMMUNICATION / ORGANIZATION:

Maintains communication with district staff.

Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.

Performs other related work as required.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly. Specific Knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: method of preparing and maintaining various plants, shrubs, lawns, etc.; and safety practices and procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling frequent climbing and balancing frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Requires near-visual acuity and good color vision to inspect and approve repair and maintenance, and other documents.

The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness. Work is medium to heavy. Routinely handles loads weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally handles loads weighing up to 100 pounds or more. Walks and stands most of the day. Works both inside and outside. May be required to work long hours. Required to move items up and down stairs in a safe manner. Laborers shall enter the respiratory protection program, which shall include a yearly physical examination, and semi-annual fit testing of respirator.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with district staff and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating equipment used in grounds maintenance including tractors, weed whips, mowers, hand and power tools, etc.; and adhering to safety practices.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 261 days

SALARY: $21.84 - $26.10/hour

FLSA STATUS: NON-EXEMPT, HOURLY

REPORT TO: Director of Physical Properties and/or assigns

EVALUATION: Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board’s policy on Evaluation of Classified Human Resources employees.