Employment / Groundskeeper
SUMMARY
The Groundskeeper will work 40 hours per week, sharing responsibilities with the Horticulture team. Duties include planting crops by seeding and transplanting in indoor and outdoor settings, maintain garden and grounds areas by weeding, watering, mulching, installing plants and hardscapes, and manage pest control and overall plant health. This position will also care for fruit trees and shrubs, harvest and prepare produce according to marketability, and operate machinery, including a tractor, lawn mowers, utility vehicles, garden tillers, weed eaters, and leaf blowers, etc. Other duties include assembling and repairing high tunnels, raised beds, trellises, and other garden structures, and maintaining landscape beds, and compost piles, including vermicompost. This position will also support and supervise student training.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a conduit of Christ’s love for others in an effort to point others to Jesus through our actions and words.
- Seed both in trays and direct sowing in garden areas
- Transplant in pots and garden spaces
- Maintain garden and grounds areas by weeding, watering, mulching, and providing pest control
- Safely operate machinery, tools, and equipment
- Assemble and repair growing structures
- Maintain compost piles
- Troubleshoot and problem-solve during projects
- Support and supervise students
- Maintain the health of fruit trees & shrubs
- Other duties may be assigned.
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
- High School Diploma required
- Previous experience with produce gardening required
- Skills in plant care and equipment operation required
- Knowledge of pest management practices preferred
- CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) experience desired
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid driver's license.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
All new employees are required to pass a physical examination, be tested for and be free of TB. We also recommend new employees be tested for and free of Hepatitis B (or start the Hepatitis B vaccination series), all within the 90 days immediately prior to starting employment. Shepherds assumes payment for the cost of the physical, TB test, and Hepatitis B testing or immunization. Note: The Hepatitis B vaccination can be waived if someone has already received it in the past or chooses to waive it at this time. All additional costs are assumed by the employee.
ALIGNMENT WITH OUR MISSION
Employee shall commit to the mission of Shepherds College, which is to educate and train students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by equipping them to reach Appropriate IndependenceTM (Ai) through the development of vocational, social, and life skills while inspiring a lasting awareness of God’s plan for their lives. Employee shall have a deep understanding of Ai and its guiding principles, as Ai is the foundation of our education and training programs here at Shepherds College.
ALIGNMENT WITH OUR CULTURE
Employee must be in alignment and in agreement with the eight key behaviors that shape our culture here at Shepherds College: 1) Model Christ-Likeness - Point others to Jesus through our actions and words; 2) Be Creative - Practice strategic innovation; 3) Pursue Excellence – Whatever it is, make it better; 4) Maximize Strengths - Cultivate the value and potential of every individual; 5) Promote Professionalism – Present the best you, always; 6) Work Together – Collaborate to fulfill our mission; 7) Embrace Accountability – Own the process and the outcome; 8) Experience Gratitude – Recognize and affirm the good.
ALIGNMENT WITH OUR FAITH
Employee must be in full alignment and agreement with the Shepherds College Statement of Faith and Biblical Responsibilities of Shepherds Staff. Employee must be part of a faith community that is aligned with traditional protestant Christian faith.
REASONING ABILITY
Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Must be able to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Become a vital part of the Shepherds College mission!