Grounds Technician I

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to ensure that the grounds surrounding County buildings, parks, recreation facilities, swimming pools, and other properties are appropriately maintained, including regular and preventive maintenance in a professional manner.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): High School graduation or equivalent with minimum of one (1) year of experience in lawn care/maintenance, trades, or construction.  Must be 21 years of age or older to operate county vehicles.

Additional Training and Experience: Experience in one or more trades, such as masonry, carpentry, painting, or welding, is preferred.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: Must possess a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina, that complies with federal, state, and local laws along with a safe driving record.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Maintain, repair and alteration of all county government owned properties.
• Perform construction, design, and implementation of landscape maintenance plan; complete assigned tasks on seasonal and priority schedules; ensure landscaping is free from weeds, apply mulch, and plant, replace or remove plants and bushes.
• Operate appropriate equipment and machinery to cut, trim, and maintain lawns and grass; rake and manage leaves and debris; cut down dead trees, trim branches, and use woodchipper to remove trees or limbs; collect and remove trash.
• Prepare swimming pools for seasonal use; monitor sand filtration systems
• Perform seasonal maintenance including power washing buildings and areas; participate in set up and clean up for special events such as the Special Olympics and Fall Festival.
• Pre-treat assigned walkways, parking areas, and streets for inclement weather; clear assigned streets, parking areas, and walkways of snow and ice; distribute ice melt as needed.
• Build, maintain, repair, and replace structures, signs, concrete slabs, patios; paint and/or stain buildings or furniture; perform woodworking and repair/build cabinets; may repair floors, roofs, or stairways
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Abilities:

• Knowledge of the standard practices, material, tools, and equipment employed in general grounds / landscaping maintenance and repair of county property
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trades involved in the work.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of grounds and landscaping.
• Skill in the use and care of the tools, equipment, and materials employed in the work.
• Ability to prepare and maintain routine work records and reports.
• Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to use small office equipment and computers.
• Ability to use small, medium, and heavy equipment and machinery.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.