Grounds Foreman

POSITION TITLE: Grounds Working Foreman

AGENCY: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

APPROPRIATION OR AGENCY CODE:

SALARY: Grade 14

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Grounds Working Foreman is responsible for planning, overseeing, and participating in the maintenance, upkeep, and improvement of the University's grounds, roads, walkways, parking areas, and outdoor athletic facilities. This position provides daily supervision of grounds personnel, coordinates work schedules, ensures the proper operation and maintenance of equipment, and oversees campus-wide services such as waste removal, seasonal maintenance, and event preparation.

The incumbent performs hands-on work alongside staff while maintaining records, requisitioning supplies, and upholding safety and performance standards in accordance with University policies and state regulations.

Follows the University's best practices to build and/or support student academic success and retention and assist in meeting strategic objectives for persistence and timely graduation of all the student population.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

The Grounds Working Foreman receives general supervision from employees of higher grade who provide training or instruction, assign work and review performance through inspection and oral reports for efficiency and effectiveness.

DIRECT REPORTING STAFF:

Incumbents of positions at this level exercise direct supervision (i.e., not through an intermediate level supervisor) over, assign work to and review the performance of 1 - 5 maintenance personnel.

THEIR STAFF:

Incumbents of positions at this level exercise functional supervision (i.e. over certain but not all work activities or over some or all work activities on a temporary basis) over employees of a lower grade.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans and lays out daily and seasonal work schedules for grounds staff to ensure efficient coverage of all maintenance tasks across campus grounds and facilities
• Supervises and actively participates in mowing and trimming turf areas, including the operation of commercial-grade mowing equipment
• Supervises and actively participates in the application of fertilizers, soil amendments, and turf care treatments in accordance with best practices and safety guidelines
• Supervises and actively participates in snow and ice removal operations, including salting, sanding, and plowing of walkways, stairs, and parking areas to ensure campus safety and accessibility
• Supervises and actively participates in the collection and disposal of trash and organic debris from campus grounds
• Supervises and actively participates in preparation and maintenance of Athletic fields, including striping, leveling, and conditioning surfaces for scheduled practices and games, ensuring compliance with Athletic safety standards
• Supervises and actively participates in the assembly, inspection, and repair of outdoor athletic equipment
• Secures athletic facilities by locking and unlocking gates and structures according to facility schedules
• Requisition s and tracks inventory of grounds and field maintenance supplies, tools, and materials
• Inspects and performs general maintenance and minor repairs on equipment used in the maintenance and upkeep of University grounds (i.e. lawn mowers, snow blowers, and trimmers) and makes recommendations for new equipment
• Trains and mentors Grounds staff in proper procedures, equipment use, and safety protocols
• Develops and manages overtime schedules to address operational needs, seasonal demands, or emergency responses
• Supervises, trains, hires, evaluates and monitors the performance of assigned staff
• Actively participates in department meetings and may serve on committees, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE:

• Knowledge of the types and uses of materials, tools and equipment used in maintenance and groundskeeping
• Knowledge of the proper care and maintenance of equipment used in groundskeeping
• Knowledge of the terminology and standard abbreviations used in connection with groundskeeping
• Knowledge of techniques used in weed control
• Knowledge of the safety practices and procedures followed in building maintenance, grounds, and repair work (i.e. fire safety, ladder safety, etc.)
• Knowledge of the standard preventive maintenance procedures followed in connection with building structures
• Knowledge of the types and uses of small hand tools such as pliers, chisels, hammers, etc.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of hand-held power tools such as drills, chain saws, hedge trimmers, etc.
• Skill in the use of motorized equipment such as snow blowers, lawn mowers, forklifts, dollies, rototillers etc.
• Skill in using small hand tools such as pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.
• Skill in using hand-held power tools such as drills
• Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or…