Job Category: Non-Exempt

PCLS: 70045

Salary Grade: E

Summary

Incumbents in the Landscaper Lead position install, repair, and maintain the landscaping and grounds, train and supervise personnel, manage the daily activities of the landscaping department, and ensure customer satisfaction. 

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Landscaper Lead is distinguished from the entry and mid-level landscapers in that incumbents in the Lead position perform managerial duties, oversee benefited and hourly employees, and are expected to possess the knowledge and experience to perform more complex duties.

Reporting and Supervisory Responsibilities

The Landscaper Lead may report to a Manager.  This classification trains, guides, and oversees the Landscapers I, II, and III and hourly and/or student employees.

Typical Functions

1. Assists in personnel issues, including hiring, termination, performance evaluations, training, work allocation, and problem resolution.
2. Assists in management of budgets, by following established guidelines.
3. Assists in the prioritization of expenditures and the preparation of capital and operations budgets.
4. Assists in monitoring employee work schedules.
5. Maintains appropriate staffing levels.
6. Enforces proper care and safe use of the equipment and supplies.
7. Promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
8. Assists supervisor in various duties, including maintenance and monitoring of various records and reports, inventory control, and purchasing supplies.
9. Ensures customers’ needs and expectations are met by participating in the timely completion of work and responding to inquiries from the campus community and the public.
10. Maintains irrigation systems of all University grounds including installation and maintenance and repair of pipes, valves and related equipment.
11. Establishes and controls the watering schedules for all University grounds.
12. Performs snow removal, litter pick-up, leaf removal, weeding, etc.
13. Plants shrubs, trees, and flowers.
14. Prunes trees and shrubs.
15. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Ability to direct employees to achieve desired results.
2. Knowledge of supervisory principles, practices, and techniques.
3. Ability to read and understand blueprints.
4. Knowledge of digging permits.
5. Basic computer skills.
6. Knowledge of applicable safety procedures.
7. Ability to make administrative and procedural decisions and judgements on sensitive and confidential issues.
8. Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and services ordering and inventory control.
9. Skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
10. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
11. Skilled in records maintenance.
12. Knowledge of differing flowers and plants.
13. Ability to design landscape renovations.
14. Ability to diagnose plant conditions and cultural needs and recommend treatment options.
15. Knowledge of pesticides.
16. Knowledge of irrigation equipment and methods.
17. Knowledge of soil types, slope, and drainage.
18. Knowledge of turf and grounds maintenance.

Minimum Qualifications

Six years of experience in the green industry; or an associate degree/technical training in a related field plus four years of experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field plus two years of experience is required.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position requires considerable physical activity. Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position including heavy lifting and/or pushing and pulling of heavy objects. Employees must be prepared to assume uncomfortable positions, such as crawling, kneeling, and squatting.  Employees work outside and are not protected from weather conditions, including extreme cold and extreme heat for extended periods.  

Incumbents are exposed to hazardous conditions including, noise, vibrations from machinery, moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, exposure to chemicals, elevated work spaces, such as scaffolding, and atmospheric conditions that can affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation.  

Disclaimer

This position description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the position.