Under the direction of the Vice President of Administration and Finance, this position will plan, organize, direct, and control the grounds keeping and functions of Fort Hays State University, provides technical expertise and assistance in the proper upkeep of university grounds in a variety of areas including Campus lawns, landscaping, irrigation, pest removal, ensures compliance with safety practices and procedures; and performs a variety of other duties relative to assigned area of responsibility.
Qualifications:
- Graduation from high school or equivalent. Specialized training in industrial and landscape maintenance, irrigation systems, horticulture, or a closely related field is desirable.
- Five years of grounds maintenance experience which includes experience performing or overseeing the following: ability to manager multiple complex projects, designing landscaping and maintenance, working on athletic fields, irrigation systems, and landscape construction and installation, running and operating greenhouse throughout the year. At least two years of the mentioned experience must have been in a supervisory or lead capacity.
- Experience in budget development and fiscal management.
- A valid Kansas Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Control Applicator's permit, class A & B, is required and must be obtained by no later than the end of the probationary period.
- Possession of a valid Kansas Driver's License.
- All licenses, certificates, and other requirements listed above are required at the time of employment and must be maintained during employment unless otherwise noted.
Physical Requirements: Employees in this classification stand, walk, sit, stoop, bend, reach overhead, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds without assistance, speak clearly, hear normal voice conversation, and see small details.
Appointment Date: Start date to be determined after acceptance of an offer and completion of criminal background check.
Priority Deadline: December 17, 2023. Review of applications will begin immediately following the priority deadline and continue until the position is filled.
Salary: $55,000
Examples of Duties, Essential Duties:
- Supervises and works alongside the facilities grounds crew on campus. Interviews, selects, trains, counsels, evaluates, motivates, and recommends discipline as needed for employees assigned to grounds division.
- Working knowledge of different plant materials and what works best for the Hays area.
- Oversees campus grounds, lawns, trees, and flowerbeds. Helps plan and implement planting activities, including propagation and cultivation of cuttings, plants, trees, and shrubs; Ensures proper application of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides to grounds.
- Supervises the installation and/or repair of irrigation systems; interprets construction drawings/plans and prepare layout sketches for irrigation systems.
- Educate the staff by taking classes, attending trainings and safety classes to keep up-to-date on current landscaping and grounds trends. Help staff maintain certifications.
- Arrange and conduct training designed to enhance employees of staff knowledge and skills.
- Makes recommendations regarding staffing and equipment needs in order to maintain a satisfactory level of service; prepares labor and materials cost estimates for grounds work.
- Facilitates planning to meet grounds needs; meets and confers with school administrators regarding grounds schedules and projects.
- Determines workload and schedules for equitable distribution of work for grounds staff; implements procedures and standards for performance of grounds functions; ensures maintenance of grounds vehicles and equipment.
- Orders a variety of ground maintenance and construction equipment and materials; tests and evaluates proposed new equipment.
- Oversees trash removal and recyclables and proper use of trash equipment.
- Oversees fulfilling of campus tickets for furniture assembly, moving, and removal.
- Makes recommendations for grounds budget to the VPAF.
- Establishes, implements, and ensures adherence to work safety policies and procedures; ensures health and safety procedures are observed, conducts safety inspections, and takes appropriate action to resolve safety issues; responds to emergency callouts as needed and takes appropriate action.
- Help plan and carryout snow removal on campus and sidewalks as needed.
- Meets with outside vendors/contractors as needed to review project statuses and ensure compliance with-agreed upon specifications.
- Develops and implements preventative maintenance program for assigned areas of responsibility.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Work independently with limited supervision.
- Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
- Plan and organize work for self and others to meet schedules and timelines in an environment with constantly changing priorities.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
- Follow good health and safety principles and practices.
Ability To:
- Manage and coordinate the work of grounds maintenance personnel.
- Select, supervise, train, direct, motivate, and evaluate assigned staff.
- Resolve public relations problem effectively.
- Interpret plans and prepare sketches for the installation of irrigation.
- Maintain confidentiality of information obtained during work.
- Supervise the moving of campus departmental furniture from building to building or cold storage.
- Move and erect furnishings from central purchasing to departmental offices.
- Supervise the removal of campus trash, and recyclables.
- Maintain and install all campus traffic signage.
- Maintain and install all campus light pole flags.
- Campus snow removal including streets, and sidewalks, and notify VPAF of campus conditions prior to opening campus.
Traits:
- Appreciates the differences among people.
- Diligently attends to details and quality.
- Easily adapts to situations and changes.
- Effectively manages one's own time, priorities, and resources.
- Punctual and follows through.
- Trustworthy and responsible for his/her actions.
- Logically grasps and thinks through issues and problems.
- Puts safety first for self and others.
- Remains steady under pressure.
- Stays focused and has a good work ethic.
- Strives to meet customer’s needs.
- Works around obstacles and is self-starting.
- Methods and techniques of routine and preventative maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of grounds equipment problems.
- Pertinent Federal, State, and local codes, and regulations.
Supplemental Information, Work Environment:
Employees in this classification work in both office and outside environments, in changing temperatures, including temperatures below 50 degrees and over 90 degrees, dry atmospheric conditions, poorly ventilated areas, wet or damp areas, on uneven or slippery surfaces, with electrical hazards and machinery with moving parts, fumes, allergenic dust, chemicals, odors, toxic materials, in direct contact with the public, student, and District personnel, and drive an automobile to conduct work.
Required Application Documents: Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references.
Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Wesley Wintch
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination: Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or
www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.
