Groundskeeper

Bennington College seeks to hire two Groundskeepers to join the Buildings and Grounds facilities team. The Groundskeeper is responsible for performing duties related primarily to the maintenance of all trees, shrubs, flowers, and vines on campus grounds and auxiliary properties and to ensure the ongoing care and enhancement of the Bennington College landscape.

The position works with all College departments, students, faculty and staff.  External relationships include, but are not limited to contractors, inspectors, and suppliers.

Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.

Available schedules (2): Full-time, 40 hours/week 

• Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm

General Responsibilities

1. Maintain grounds of campus property including dormant pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs, as well as roads and signs.
2. Summer shearing of evergreen shrubs and trimming of vines around windows, doors, walls, and gutters of buildings.
3. Operate vehicles and powered equipment, including, but not limited to brush hog, mowers, tractors, chain saws, clippers, pruning saws, and bucket truck.
4. Rake leaves, fertilize lawns and water as needed.
5. Clean gutters and roof drains of debris at least once per term or as directed.
6. Pest control of insects/diseases on plant material by spraying of insecticides/ fungicides and weed control along curbs in parking lots/roads and patio blocks.
7. Takedown and disposal of dead, diseased, dying or damaged trees and shrubs, and clear storm drainage.
8. Assist with snow removal, salting, and sanding which includes roads, walkways, entrances, fire hydrants as well as off of roofs of buildings.
9. Assist with moving items (equipment, furniture, pianos, tents, and other items) to and from assigned locations according to the needs of the College. This duty may require the operation of vehicles, fork trucks, lifts, and similar machinery to assist with facilitating such moves.
10. Make minor repairs to vehicles such as replacement of head or tail-lamps or windshield wipers as needed. Deliver campus fleet vehicles to garage for repair, and prep for inspections as needed.
11. Accept, review, and prioritize work orders, work proactively on seasonal work tasks and manage orders through completion. Notify supervisor of discrepancies/problems with work orders, including any observation of hazardous materials or conditions.
12. Operate assigned vehicles as required to assist with transport of goods to designated areas and/or to facilitate execution of job functions. Report any mechanical defects in the vehicle to the assistant director.
13. Maintain proper care of tools and equipment. Report necessary equipment repair and maintenance to the supervisor in a timely manner.
14. Follow established safety rules and regulations including using appropriate guards and safety devices on all equipment. Maintain a safe and clean work environment. Keep informed of all material safety data sheets. Attend and successfully complete/pass College-sponsored safety classes and seminars.
15. Promote a positive and congenial atmosphere and working relationship with students, employees, supervisors and other individuals that this position may come in contact with. Work effectively with other personnel to complete/coordinate designated duties.
16. Use proper judgment in work assignments on a daily basis and recommend improvements in work efficiency. Effectively manage your own time, be proactive and self-motivated.
17. Perform additional related duties as assigned. 

This position requires successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

Qualifications

1. High School graduate and/or GED equivalent required; minimum of three years of professional groundskeeping and landscaping experience required, including knowledge of hand tools, heavy and light equipment, landscaping, tree and shrub cutting. Ability to operate chainsaws, brush cutters, weed eaters, snow blower, leaf blower, pumps, snow plows, trucks and other equipment as required.

2. Valid/current driver’s license required. Preferred qualifications include license to work with herbicides and pesticides, ability to successfully identify zones 3-5 trees and shrubs, and a thorough understanding of American National Standard Institute A 300 tree, shrub, and other woody plan maintenance standard practices (pruning). 

3. Basic automatic and equipment repair skills. 

4. Successful completion of College’s annual Hazardous Communication Training Program. Ability to understand proper use of chemicals used in the performance of position duties and maintain familiarity with the chemical’s material safety data sheets. Required attendance and successful completion/passing of College-sponsored classes and seminars determined by employer. 

5. Exceptional customer service skills; demonstrated experience interacting and developing relationships with internal customers. Demonstrated ability to multitask, respond to requests with a sense of urgency, and complete work orders in a timely manner. 

6. Language Skills: Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions, procedures, correspondence, and memos. Ability to write correspondence. Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate. 

7. Math Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure and inventory, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals to solve problems. 

8. Reasoning Ability: Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and discussing ideas with supervisor. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. 

Physical, Mental and Visual Effort

This position works mostly outdoors and around regular office buildings, academic/campus facilities, residential houses and the general maintenance plant building; potential to work under extreme temperatures and with hazardous materials; requires operation of mechanical equipment. This position requires routine medium to heavy physical exertion; typically involves lifting, standing, bending, reaching, stooping, walking, pushing, pulling and climbing stairs, step ladders and extension ladders to coordinate work. This position requires the ability to lift and carry at least 100 pounds and the ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force frequently. This position may require some overtime as well as weekend and holiday coverage.

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Last updated on Nov 4, 2024