Grounds Technician-Facilities Services-Grounds
Syracuse
Thursday, 04 June 2026
Exercise judgment to make decisions and comply with instructions in interior/exterior groundskeeping and operate a variety of equipment. Education and Experience Associates Degree in Ornamental horticulture, Greenhouse Management or Floriculture. 2 to 3 years practical experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Permit for application of pesticides and herbicides. Valid driver’s license; the ability to drive both manual an automatic transmission vehicles is required. Skills and Knowledge Associates Degree in Ornamental horticulture, Greenhouse Management or Floriculture. 2 to 3 years practical experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Pesticide applicators license category 3 A. Valid driver’s license; the ability to drive both manual an automatic transmission vehicles is required. Responsibilities Transplant all types of interior plants. Apply required amounts of fertilizer and water. Prepare and spray proper pesticides and herbicides. Select, layout and care for plants for interior planters. Prune and propagate plants. Plant exterior plants, tree, hedges and shrubs. Instruct and oversee the work of 3-5 workers. Blend potting soil; install water-metering equipment; install drainage in planters. Operate spraying equipment. Load materials and equipment on trucks for transport to work area. Remove snow and ice and apply salt as needed. Dig holes for shrubs and trees; rake dirt, grass and leaves, and clean up litter from lawns and shrubs. Physical Requirements - Standing, walking (85% – 90% of the shift) - Frequent bending at the waist; able to bend to below the knee (75% – 90%) - Frequent stooping, crouching, kneeling (75% – 90% of shift) - Frequent twisting and bending of head, neck, and torso (75% – 95% of shift) - Full range of arm movement (extension, twisting, and bending of arm and shoulder, reaching overhead, etc.) 80% – 95%) - Visual and cognitive capability sufficient to troubleshoot and diagnose problems and correct; able to read, interpret and adhere to diagrams, blueprints - Cognitive, auditory and verbal ability sufficient to give instructions to staff, and receive instructions and communication from staff and others - Able to perform manual digging and shovel snow and ice for several hours at a time; raking, loading and unloading trucks lifting items weighing up to 80 pounds each - Wrist and finger dexterity sufficient to use a variety of hand tools to perform tasks - Able to handle and operate power tools (e.g. drills, circular saw, hand snake) - May need to work on a ladder, scaffolds, or other elevated heights - Able to drive vehicles with manual and automatic transmissions - Able to climb up into and down from truck cab - Able to work outdoors in extreme heat, cold, wet windy, conditions - Able to lift up to 50 pounds and carry up to 100 feet - Push/pull up to 100 pounds - Exposure to strong odors, dust, chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, salt etc), rodents (e.g. bats,mice), outdoor allergens (e.g. ragweed, grass), bird droppings, Tools/ Equipment Operate trucks, riding mowers, tractors spraying equipment, snow plows, uniloaders, and salters.