The Grounds Technician performs a variety of manual tasks to maintain the College grounds and related equipment. This is a full-time non-exempt position working 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday, 7:30am – 4:00pm. The pay is $19.61 per hour. Reed College offers an exceptional benefits package, including comprehensive medical and dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution (after one year of service), 22 days of paid vacation, paid holidays, half-day Fridays in the summer, and many other campus amenities, such as membership to the campus fitness center for employee and partner and discounted Trimet transit passes.

Who You Are

• You enjoy working outdoors.
• Working with plants, turf, trees, shrubs and flowers is satisfying.
• You are comfortable using and maintaining hand tools, power tools, tractors, sweepers and other equipment used in landscape maintenance.
• Safety is essential and you take precautions to make sure the area around you is safe.
• You have experience identifying hazards in the workplace.
• You enjoy working independently, and within a team setting.
• You like working in a diverse environment and you enjoy interacting with people who have different backgrounds than you.
• You are a strong listener and can follow verbal and written instruction.
• You are able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with college staff, students and the general public.
• You are interested in obtaining an Oregon Pesticide Applicators License, and understand when application is necessary.

What You’ll Do (Essential Functions)

• Investigate problems and perform basic maintenance and repair of College grounds including lawns, irrigation systems, plant and paved areas and natural areas of campus.
• Knowledge of general groundskeeping practices and procedures.
• Familiar with the concepts and practices of Integrated Pest Management.
• Assist in the planning and installation of landscape improvements, may select trees and shrubs for plantings.
• Familiarity with Pacific Northwest plant materials, maintenance and control of invasive species.
• Plant, cultivate and maintain turf areas, shrubs, perennial plants and trees using gardening implements and power operated equipment; repair established lawns and turf area as required.
• Assist in the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems.
• Operates manual and power tools; performs preventive and basic maintenance, making minor repairs and adjustments as needed.
• Maintain hard surfaces on College property including roads, parking lots and sidewalks. Clear ice and snow. Install signs and posts.
• Utilize tractors, riding mowers, blowers, sweepers and other power equipment to maintain campus grounds.
• Remove litter from campus including leaves, branches, and trash. Clean and flush storm drains as needed.

High school or G.E.D. and one (1) year of general landscape maintenance experience; or any combination of experience and education to perform the duties of the job. Working knowledge of typical northwest plant material. Valid driver’s license is required. Candidate must have an Oregon Chemical Applicators License or be able to get one within 6-months of hire date. Course work in horticulture or landscape maintenance preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed both indoors and outside with exposure to weather conditions. Physical effort is required to lift heavy objects up to 50 lbs.

Apply here: https://jobs.reed.edu/positions/2020/grounds-technician1.html

You will be directed to Interfolio to create a free account and begin your application. A resume and cover letter are required. You can submit these documents in any format, but pdf works best. In your cover letter please address the following:

• How would this position contribute to achievement of your long-term professional goals?
• Which professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

As you apply online, you will be asked to provide an answer to the following:

• All members of Reed’s community are expected to contribute to a diverse, equitable and inclusive campus. Employees who experience the most success at Reed are comfortable interacting with a diverse group of students, colleagues and community members. How would you use your skills and experience to contribute to inclusion and community growth at Reed?

Review of applications for this position will begin the week of October 26th, so we encourage you to apply early. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.