GROUNDSKEEPER                          60180

                                                                         

                                                                             (Labor class – all Civil Divisions)    

                                       

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

     

   The work involves responsibility for performing unskilled or limited semi-skilled manual tasks in the maintenance of public grounds.  Under immediate supervision, groundskeepers are responsible for satisfactory performance of a variety of light and heavy manual laboring tasks in the maintenance of public grounds.  Some assignments, including equipment operation, may require skills that may be readily learned on the job.  Usually work is performed under the immediate supervision of an employee of a higher classification, but many tasks assigned may be routine and repetitive in nature and once learned, can be carried on without difficulty and under only general supervision.  Employees in this class may also perform manual, laboring tasks at the agency of assignment.  An employee in this class typically does not exercise supervision but may in the absence of a supervisor.  Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

 

   Performs a variety of grounds maintenance work not requiring specialized knowledges and skills; cultivates, prunes, sprays and trims; cuts grass and weeds by hand tools and mowers; burlaps trees by tying sacks around the roots.

   Assists a superior in planting and transplanting trees and shrubbery, in burying roots and putting soil and water around roots; trims hedges and rakes leaves.

   Operates snow removal equipment and removes snow, and salts and sands driveways and sidewalks and performs other related manual tasks during the winter.

   May be required to operate motor equipment.

 

When Assigned to the Onondaga County Department of Facilities Management:

 

   Mixes chemical compound to make and apply pesticides to exterminate rodents and insects (under supervision of a certified exterminator or upon possession of said certification).

   Installs deodorizing paraphernalia in rest rooms, court rooms, elevators and other areas where needed.

   May occasionally supervise seasonal employees/laborers in the absence of a supervisor.

 

When Assigned to Onondaga Community College:

 

   Participates in the application of fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides to lawns, trees, shrubs, and plants (under supervision of a certified applicator or upon possession of said certification).

   May occasionally supervise seasonal employees/laborers in the absence of a supervisor.

 

When Assigned to the Onondaga County Department of Parks and Recreation:

 

   Participates in the general grounds operation and maintenance of athletic fields.

   Participates in the application of fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides to lawns, trees, shrubs, and plants (under supervision of a certified applicator or upon possession of said certification).

   Interacts with the public to insure expectations and contract requirements are met.

   May occasionally supervise seasonal employees and park laborers in the absence of a supervisor.       

 

 

 

 

 

When Assigned to the Town of Spafford

   Oversees the Town Cemetery, including using the existing mapping system to identify used and unused plots, locating and staking graves for opening, acquiring and placing grave boundary markers, grading and seeding of plots, spring cleanup and maintenance operations.

   May dig hole to bury cremated remains.

   Interacts with the public to insure Cemetery Rules and Regulations are conveyed, and contract requirements are met and understood.

  

  

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

   Working knowledge of the practices and techniques of general ground maintenance.

   Working knowledge of simple tools used in ground maintenance work.

   Ability to understand and follow oral or written instructions.

   Ability to operate simple machinery.

   Sufficient physical strength and agility and freedom from disabling defects to do heavy manual labor, occasionally under adverse weather conditions.

  

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

   None.

 

SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT

 

   When required to operate a motor vehicle, possession of a valid New York State Non-CDL or CDL, including any special endorsements, as required for the type of vehicle being operated.

 

1/2022 Revised