Grounds Supervisor

Goshen College is a Christian liberal arts institution that prepares students to thrive in life, leadership and service. We strive to model an inclusive community committed to transformative justice, peace, and sustainability. A respect and appreciation of the Anabaptist-Mennonite faith perspective and practices, and a commitment to the mission, vision, core values and  community standards of Goshen College, are important for teaching and administrative faculty members.  

Job Summary:

The Grounds Supervisor is responsible for leading, coordinating, and participating in the work of the grounds department in the maintenance and repair of campus grounds, irrigation systems, walkways, parking areas, and equipment. This position supervises staff, coordinates landscape designs and changes, ensures that assigned duties are completed on schedule and are done well, fills in for staff during an absence or when required, and does related work as required. The Grounds Supervisor is also responsible for coordinating the removal of snow on all campus sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways.

Essential Functions:

• Supervise and schedule the work of grounds personnel.
  • Plan, schedule and record all ground maintenance efforts including; irrigation, mowing, fertilization, pruning, spraying. and equipment preventive maintenance.
  • Maintain accurate records for chemical use and maintenance work performed including; mowing, seeding, fertilization, aeration and pesticide use.
  • Inventory and requisition supplies, tools and parts as needed.
  • Manage care and maintenance of all interior and exterior plantings and landscaping. Coordinate the planning and implementation of landscaping plans including grading, planting, pruning.
  • Organize and direct all snow removal.
  • Supervise preparation of seedbeds, plantings and transplanting.
  • Ensure that all grounds care is performed with all safety and applicable regulations taken into consideration. Inspect all grounds care operations to ensure quality control.
  • Provide and maintain proper trash disposal containers, bike racks, outdoor seating.
  • Empty outside trash containers and keep all properties free of litter.
  • Properly manage and maintain all grounds care for off-campus properties including; Witmer Woods, College Cabin, WGCS radio tower, and off-campus student house.
  • Responsible to maintain and install all campus signage in compliance with the Goshen College Master Plan.
  • Responsible to maintain and repair all campus drives and parking lots and make
    recommendations regarding long-term care and preventive maintenance.
  • Hire, supervise and train 2-4 students during the school year and 6-8 students during the summer.
  • Provide training to staff by demonstrating proper use of equipment and materials and the performance of specific tasks to meet quality standards.
  • Report to the director of facilities on the progression of projects.
  • Participate in interviewing and hiring new employees.
  • Evaluate work performance and recommend retention or termination of employees.
  • Complete annual performance evaluations and submit reports to HR.
  • Handle employee relations issues including counseling and discipline.
• Administrative functions in support of grounds functions.
  • Improve maintenance procedures to ensure maximum return on investment of all equipment, machines, and inventory.
  • Coordinate landscaping and other grounds projects by preparing rough sketches, schedules and estimates of the staff, materials, equipment and supplies needed to accomplish the project.
  • Prepare purchase orders and justification for grounds materials, equipment, and supplies.
  • Assist in the selection of grounds contractors and monitor their work to ensure completion according to contract specifications.
  • Assist in the preparation of the annual equipment, supplies, and student personal budget and for grounds department operational costs.
  • Provide budget and capital equipment requirements to Director of Facilities.
  • Supervises the grounds inventory system.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain cohesive landscaping.
  • Collaborate with appropriate departments across campus in advance for special campus events.
  • Work with Director of Facilities in establishing priorities and making purchases.
  • Assist other physical plant personnel as assigned. Work with coaches and athletic director to insure proper maintenance of athletic fields and track. (Mowing, trimming, aerator, fertilizing, throwing cage set up, greens maintenance, etc.)
• Grounds Care Knowledge
  • Hold certification for mixing and applying chemicals and maintain awareness to safely implement fertilizers, sprays and dusts to control and eradicate pests.
  • Implement proper methods of planting cultivating, and caring for trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns.
  • Assist with the annual burning of native prairies on campus.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Supervise 2 full-time groundskeepers, 1 part-time mechanic, 8-10 student workers, and seasonal temporary staff.

Education and Experience:

• High School degree
• Two year related college experience or 5 years work experience with increasing responsibilities and supervisory responsibilities.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid Drivers License
• Current Indiana certification for application and storage of fertilizer, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides.

Skills & Competencies:

REQUIRED:

• Skill in training and supervising performance of staff.
• Knowledge of safe operation of hand and power mowers, edgers, rakes, weed trimmers, pruners, saws, shovels, hoes, brooms, blowers, vacuums, hoses, pressure washers and chemical applicators.
• Knowledge in applying groundskeeping and horticulture operations and practices, irrigation operations and repair, and mixing and applying chemicals safely.
• Ability to plan work assignments and set priorities.
• Ability to read, understand and apply oral and written instructions and labels.
• Ability to learn the operation of grounds related equipment including mowers, tractors, PTO driven attachments, chain saws, edgers, trimmers, etc.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a crew or independently.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work varied shifts and irregular hours – including nights and weekends – during inclement weather and emergencies.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Ability to bend, stoop and twist; ability to lift and carry bags, containers and equipment weighing up to 90 pounds
• Knowledge of applicable OSHA regulations and ability to enforce compliance
• Ability to drive Cushmans, flatbed trucks, delivery vehicles and vans
• Ability to use respiratory protection equipment
• Ability to be available twenty-four hours a day for emergency response
• Ability to work safely.

All of the essential job functions are subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. This position description is not all-inclusive and may change at the option of the supervisor or department head. Any major change will result in the position being reviewed for reclassification.

Benefits

• Health insurance (employee premium 100% covered)
• Dental, vision, life, LTD, and supplemental life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Tuition discounts (Employees attend for free, children 50% off years 1 & 2, the 75% off)
• Free employee membership to Recreation/Fitness Center
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave

See our website for additional benefits information.

About Goshen College

Goshen College is a Christian liberal arts institution that prepares students to thrive
in life, leadership and service. We strive to model an inclusive community
committed to transformative justice, peace, and sustainability. A respect and
appreciation of the Anabaptist-Mennonite faith perspective and practices, and a
commitment to the mission, vision, core values and community standards of
Goshen College, are important for teaching and administrative faculty members.

Goshen College is a nationally-ranked college and Hispanic-Serving Institution in Indiana renowned for its distinctive hands-on, real-world educational opportunities, and its commitment to creating positive change in the community and the world. The college offers over 65 undergraduate areas of study; as well as best-in-class graduate programs in nursing, business administration, social work and environmental education. This caring, safe and diverse campus prides itself on providing excellent academic programs that connect arts with sciences, and theory with practice — exposing students to multiple perspectives and encouraging them to think deeply, live creatively and lead purposefully.

The college is located in the City of Goshen in the heart of Elkhart County, within several hours of Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit, Residents of Goshen enjoy a culturally diverse small-town atmosphere with an active arts community, a vibrant and entrepreneurial downtown, the Maple City Greenway network of bicycle paths and affordable housing prices. Learn more at www.goodofgoshen.com.

How to Apply:

If you are applying through Indeed or another search engine, please make sure to go to www.goshen.edu/employment to apply.

Please be sure to provide all required materials noted below, as incomplete applications may not be considered.  Application materials may be attached to the Staff Application Form or sent electronically to hr@goshen.edu.

• Complete and submit the online Staff Application Form
• Cover letter
• Two professional references with contact information

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

E-Verify Statement of Participation

Goshen College participates in E-Verify. If you are hired, we will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Goshen College is an equal opportunity employer, committed to enhancing diversity across the institution. Goshen College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any legally protected status. To protect the welfare and provide for the safety of the students, employees, visitors and resources of Goshen College, background checks are conducted by the Office of Human Resources on all new and re-hired employees.

Human Resources
Goshen College
1700 S. Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526-4795

E-mail: hr@goshen.edu
Telephone: (574) 535-7111