Summary/Objective

The role of Grounds & Structures Technician is to help maintain WaterOnes grounds, buildings and physical structures. This job will repair water utility assets including fences, doors, concrete, and many other items. This position will also provide grounds maintenance services and labor support for general water district maintenance activities; ensuring attractive and safe grounds; protecting against erosion; performing a variety of special grounds maintenance operations; and maintaining grounds and buildings for events and workplace comfort.

The pay range for this position is $22.18/hr - $36.89/hr. Compensation for the selected candidate will depend on candidate qualifications and experience as related to the position requirements.

Essential Functions

Level I Job Duties

• Mowing, trimming, irrigation, and arbor work as directed by supervisor.
• Plants and maintains landscaping areas (e.g., lawns, shrubs, flowers, etc.) for the purpose of keeping the grounds attractive and protecting against erosion.
• Knowledgeable in landscape and grounds maintenance terminology.
• Care for indoor plants and planter boxes in common areas.
• Trims trees & bushes/shrubs and remove weeds from landscape areas.
• Clears snow and ice as needed, when needed, from water district parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, and stairs.
• Responds to immediate safety, security, or operational concerns for the purpose of taking appropriate action or notifying appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Painting as directed by supervisor.
• Transports a variety of tools, equipment, and supplies for the purpose of ensuring the availability of materials required at job site.
• Ability to use the following tools/equipment: spraying equipment, shovels, garden tools, handheld and power tools common to the trade, drive trucks with a snowplow and use the truck mounted salt spreader, lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, ladders and scaffolding.
• Assist other shops as needed for the purpose of completing maintenance tasks in a timely and quality manner.
• Assist with door repair, ceiling tiles, signs, modular office systems, and sidewalk/concrete work. Performs painting on equipment, insulation, and other items as directed.
• Help with sustainability initiatives including water conservation, recycling, and sustainable turf management programs.

Level II Job Duties

• All duties listed for a Level I Grounds and Structures Technician I and;
• Painting, carpentry, and concrete repair on all water utility assets and property. Performs concrete and masonry repair such as brick-and-mortar repair, grouting, concrete forming and finishing and curb and sidewalk repair.
• Overhead garage door repair.
• Performs some roof repairs or replacements and diverse types of window repairs, caulking, and glazing.
• Installs and/or repairs steel vault lids.
• Installs and repairs acoustical ceilings, drop ceilings and floor tiling.
• Installs, moves, modifies, and repairs modular office systems.
• Insulates exposed pipes, installs mirrors, bulletin boards, and other maintenance work as assigned.
• Performs repairs on doors, door closers, locksets, and other door hardware.
• Installs and maintains signs throughout WaterOne.
• Repairs several types of fencing, gates and other needed maintenance work as instructed.
• Operates lawn irrigation systems by adjusting controllers and setting zone timers in accordance with weather conditions. Make minor repairs to valves, heads, and piping as required. Perform minor electrical work on irrigation systems as needed.
• Performs routine safety inspections including eyewashes, safety showers, fire extinguishers and fire suppressant systems. Checks and arranges repairs to fire extinguishers as needed.
• Responsible for keeping track of tools and equipment used on work assignments.
• Performs all duties pertaining to hazardous waste operations in accordance with all applicable requirements.

Other Duties

• Help with sustainability initiatives including water conservation, recycling, and sustainable turf management programs.
• Basic maintenance of lawn care equipment.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Customer Service Commitment

WaterOne employees shall continuously strive to meet or exceed the expectations of both their internal and external customers. Questions and concerns shall be acknowledged on the same day whenever possible, but no later than the next business day. Issues shall be resolved as promptly as possible, with the goal of maximizing customer satisfaction.

Competencies

Required Education & Experience

Level I

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience as a laborer or groundskeeper or equivalent work experience with an emphasis in grounds, mowing, and landscaping materials.
• Demonstrated experience in grounds maintenance or horticulture, operating mowing equipment, or using a tractor with power takeoff attachments.

Level II

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Three years in the Grounds & Structures Technician I role at WaterOne. Progressive steps to achieving mastery of the job description of Grounds & Structures Technician II.
• In lieu of WaterOne Experience, Five years of experience in a General Maintenance or Grounds role at a multi-site facility, city/county, or campus setting with demonstrated experience repairing and restoring a variety of assets common to the trade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrates a cooperative and team-focused mentality.
• Well organized and able to handle a wide variety of assignments.
• Communicate well in English both orally and in writing.
• Knowledgeable in the safe handling of hazardous chemicals.
• Availability for occasional emergency call-out or scheduled overtime.
• Ability to use a computer for data entry and other basic functions.
• Possess a valid driver's license and continuously meet WaterOne driving standards.
• Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening and background verification in accordance with WaterOne standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates degree in relevant trade.
• Two years of experience with lawn irrigation maintenance including seasonal start up and winterization of lawn irrigation systems; Operation of lawn irrigation systems by adjusting controllers and setting zone timers in accordance with weather conditions. Experience performing minor repairs to valves, heads, and piping and performing minor electrical work on irrigation systems.
• Two years of experience and knowledge in the use of lawn, landscaping, and tree care applications.
• Possess a License from the State of Kansas for Fertilizer or Pesticide Application.
• Six years experience maintaining structures, grounds, and office space in a dynamic setting.
• Six years experience repairing irrigation systems, snow removal tools, and grounds equipment.

Physical Requirements

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 the essential functions.

An employee in this position may be required to lift or move up to:

5 lbs. constantly; 10 lbs. frequently; 20 lbs. occasionally; and 40 lbs. rarely

This position requires:

1. Work in outdoor weather conditions: Frequently;
2. Work inside and outside WaterOne facilities and structures. Outside working conditions are dependent on the weather, which involves extreme heat (above 90 degrees) in the summer and cold in the winter (below freezing). Some work may be in non-heated and non-air-conditioned structures: Frequently;
3. Perform field assignments in poor weather and driving conditions and deal with other hazards of field work: Occasionally;
4. Work at varying heights up to 15 feet above the floor: Occasionally; and
5. Toleration of noise levels that are generally minimal but may be excessive for brief periods of time: Occasionally (hearing protection is provided)

This following checked items are additional physical requirements for this position:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary, standing and/or sitting position for up to several hours a day.
• Must be able to position self to stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must be able to position self to help install, inspect, remove, or repair various items.
• Must be able to position and move through elevators, stairways, ramps and rough terrain.
• Must be able to ascend and descend ladders to work on equipment, including climbing water towers and other structures, as well as standing or working on elevated surfaces.
• Must be able to move from one location to another.
• Must be able to wear and use air purifying and air supplied respiratory protection.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment and navigate construction sites.
• Must possess specific vision abilities required for this job including close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Protective equipment, including but not limited to personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, may be required and shall be maintained in the sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of process or environment, chemical hazards, or mechanical hazard encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.